Episodes

  • 26: Bring Back Pangea with Marcelese Cooper

    26: Bring Back Pangea with Marcelese Cooper
    May 19 2026
    In true TAF fashion, me and Marcelese Cooper talk about bugs. Marcelese Cooper is an artist and educator originally from Santa Clarita, California, and has practiced throughout the Midwest and the South for nearly a decade. Influenced by their experiences as a young, black, queer individual, Cooper explores themes of identity, community, and the black/brown narrative through mediums like animation, performance art, and experimental video. They blend the DNA of dreams, science-fiction, and surreal art-house cinema in their work. Currently a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Film and Media Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Cooper merges storytelling with time-based media to nurture the next generation of storytellers. Their recent artistic endeavors extend into 2D animation, video art, and sound experimentation, with a focus on community-centered projects that emphasize group storytelling and self-mythos. Learn more and contribute to Story Drive here - an ongoing video series focused on community storytelling. We interpret anonymous voicemails — dreams, memories, secrets, and more — into video art. Whether you're sharing a laugh, a personal truth, or a somber moment, your story will be heard. Donate to Marcelese's upcoming project On Good Days here - On Good Days is a short experimental documentary about what it means to live with chronic and autoimmune conditions on a daily basis. These conditions are often shown only during emergencies or flare ups, but most of life happens between those moments or potentially in spite of them. It happens in the pacing of energy, in care routines, in the small decisions that shape a day, and in the adaptations that allow people to keep moving through the world on their own terms. This film is focused on that living part, which is often the part that is least understood. Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO Get 10% off your submission to the Hudson Valley Film Festival with TAFnHVFFrCOOL Links to points of discussion: Marcelese Cooper's websiteMarcelese's InstagramStory Drive's websiteNo More Than Anyone ElseFilm Diary NYCOn Good Days on GoFundMeThe Animator's Friend on InstagramHellavision on June 2nd - Troy NYNo Fun - Troy NYGround Zero Basement - Troy NYThe Animator's Playlist on Apple Music and Spotify Smith's Hot Dogs Nathan's Hot Dogs American Museum of Natural History - NYC The Animator's FavoritesThe Animator's Animations The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloDigital marketing assistance from Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponSpecial thanks to Benton Bainbridge for connecting me to Marcelese!All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 25: Earthwalking with Andy & Carolyn London

    25: Earthwalking with Andy & Carolyn London
    Apr 16 2026
    From oatmeal to the occult, the London's give equal attention to their pastimes. They even begrudgingly give equal attention to their dislikes as well which include Long Island and the discomfort of growing up. These are featured predominently in their most recent film 1981, where the mullets are long, the metal is heavy, and 14-year-old Douglas gets a birthday surprise that will change his life forever. Andy and Carolyn are writers, directors, animators and co-founders of London Squared Productions. Since 1999, they’ve been creating films, music videos and animated content. Get 10% off your submission to the Hudson Valley Film Festival with TAFnHVFFrCOOL

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

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    Links to points of discussion:

    • Sundance Film Festival
    • NBC Page Program
    • Animation Speak/Easy - NYC
    • Lisa LaBracio's website
    • Anna Samo Bergmann's website
    • The Animator's Playlist on Apple Music and Spotify
    • Library180 - NYC
    • East Village Shoe Repair - BK
    • Cinanima - Portugal
    • The Animator's Animations
    • The Animator's Favorites
    • The Metropolitan Museum of Art - NYC
    • Fantagraphics
    • Woodstock Film Festival - NYS
    • Sonoma International Film Festival - CA
    • Stuttgart International Festival of Animation Film - Germany
    • Joy + Noelle's website
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks: my mom and dad
    • All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
    • We are not doctors or mental health professionals, so consult a doctor before enacting on any of our opinions
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • TAF at the Marvels of Media Festival 2026!

    TAF at the Marvels of Media Festival 2026!
    Mar 27 2026

    Last night, I transcended my human form and turned into a rd carpet correspondent for the Museum of Moving Image's Marvels of Media Festival! We spoke with festival participants and organizers Dani Bowman, Jackson Tucker-Meyer, Josh Sapan, Susanna Hunt, Steven Fraser, Steph Prizhitomsky, Bob Clark, Miranda Lee, and Maxwell Scheller. The festival runs all weekend long, see details here: https://movingimage.org/series/marvels-of-media-festival-2026/

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend

    Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. https://linktr.ee/theanimatorsfriend

    Credits:

    Recorded and produced by India Lombardi-Bello & Arnesh Kundu Edited by India Lombardi-Bello Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu Music by Cloutmeyer Design by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks: Renata Luczak, Justin Solar, and Arnesh All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
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    31 mins
  • Festival Strategy with Warren Etheredge!

    Festival Strategy with Warren Etheredge!
    Mar 25 2026

    I know I said we were on a break, but I just couldn't wait to share this bonus episode on Festival Strategy! Festival programmer Warren Etheredge shares how to get the most out of your film's festival run including insights into timeline, assessment, contact, assets, and budget. This episode will be here for you whenever you have a film ready to take out on the road! Listen, take notes, and get 75% off your submission to the Walla Walla Movie Crush this year with the code indiaisawesome! Submission deadline through to May 15th.

    As for your regularly scheduled TAF programming, expect to hear from me by mid-April B)

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend

    Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Warren Etheredge's website
    • The University of Washington - WA
    • Cornish College of the Arts - WA
    • The Red Badge Project
    • Walla Walla Movie Crush - WA
    • Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) - WA
    • Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival - WA
    • The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, MovieMaker Magazine
    • Sundance Film Festival - UT
    • SXSW - TX
    • Indy Shorts Film Festival - IN
    • Summer Shorts Film Fest - NY
    • Le Court International Short Film Festival Clermont-Ferrand - France
    • Annecy Festival - France
    • Ottawa International Animation Festival - Canada
    • Animafest Zagreb - Croatia
    • Kristie Kish's website
    • Michael Dondero's website
    • "How to Network without Networking" by Warren Etheredge
    • Tennis, Oranges trailer
    • Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) - CA
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks: Warren Etheredge and my mom and dad
    • All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • 24.5: Punk & Grind with Santi MacLean & Joe Zappulla [PART 2]

    24.5: Punk & Grind with Santi MacLean & Joe Zappulla [PART 2]
    Feb 23 2026
    Continue your friend-of-the-pod/avatar/oink-oink drinking game with the final portion of my chat with filmmakers Santi MacLean and Joe Zuppulla! Don't sleep on Doomscrolling and the whole Fun pet namez series! A young man talks himself through a panic attack. In Doomscrolling, Santi MacLean layers multimedia documents and data moshes on top of a vulnerable outcry. With bulging eyes and spaghetti-like green hair, the young man speaks in the form of a 3D-animated figure. In a high pitch voice, the character extrapolates on recent feelings of self-hatred and general aimlessness, due to financial pressures and up-keeping physical and intellectual standards while encountering romantic hook-ups. Micro-aggressions stretch the narrator’s mental bandwidth into oblivion and his cryptic self-recorded videos, along with other digital images, disintegrate into the next. While the outside world and its tactile elements offer moments of calmness, only so much can heal until the state of reality hits yet again. MacLean’s film moves quickly but packs a final punch, capturing the overwhelming influx of textures and feelings siphoned into a young person’s feed, and mind, today. Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend Links to points of discussion: The Animator's AnimationsSanti MacLean's websiteSanti's InstagramJoe Zappulla's InstagramFun pet namez on InstagramNoBudgePurhcase College - NYSUNY Oneonta - NYThe Animator's Playlist on Apple Music and SpotifyThe Rizzler on InstagramThe Animator's FavoritesBrooklyn Public LibraryThe SweatboxLouvre Museum - FranceJulian Glander on TAFArt Sqool by Julian GlanderSilvia's Kitchen on InstagramL&B Spumoni Gardens - NYCThe Animator's Friend on Instagram The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloDigital marketing assistance from Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponSpecial thanks: Talia Frank-Stemple, Ash Suh, and my mom and dadAll opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
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    1 hr and 50 mins
  • 24: Punk & Grind with Santi MacLean & Joe Zappulla [PART 1]

    24: Punk & Grind with Santi MacLean & Joe Zappulla [PART 1]
    Feb 16 2026

    We may be in Month 2 of 2026, but Santi MacLean, Joe Zappulla, and I are still feeling the new year's energy in TAF's first ever two-part episode! Relive the feelings of optimism that January 2nd gifted as your resolutions start to lose meaning, like the thumbs-up react on that text message you sent.

    A young man talks himself through a panic attack. In Doomscrolling, Santi MacLean layers multimedia documents and data moshes on top of a vulnerable outcry. With bulging eyes and spaghetti-like green hair, the young man speaks in the form of a 3D-animated figure. In a high pitch voice, the character extrapolates on recent feelings of self-hatred and general aimlessness, due to financial pressures and up-keeping physical and intellectual standards while encountering romantic hook-ups. Micro-aggressions stretch the narrator’s mental bandwidth into oblivion and his cryptic self-recorded videos, along with other digital images, disintegrate into the next. While the outside world and its tactile elements offer moments of calmness, only so much can heal until the state of reality hits yet again. MacLean’s film moves quickly but packs a final punch, capturing the overwhelming influx of textures and feelings siphoned into a young person’s feed, and mind, today.

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend

    Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Links to points of discussion:

    • The Animator's Animations
    • Santi MacLean's website
    • Santi's Instagram
    • Joe Zappulla's Instagram
    • Fun pet namez on Instagram
    • NoBudge
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram
    • Julian Glander on TAF
    • The Animator's Playlist
    • Bakeri - BK
    • The Animator's Favorites
    • Brooklyn Public Library

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks: Talia Frank-Stemple, Michael Dondero, Kristie Kish, Malt Adult, my mom and dad.
    • All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • 23: The Duck Man's Quandary with Julian Glander

    23: The Duck Man's Quandary with Julian Glander
    Feb 2 2026

    Me and the homies have been geeking over the animated feature Boys Go to Jupiter for months and months so it was a thrill to get to talk with Julian Glander about it, but mostly we tried to drum up some animation-world drama.

    A teenager in suburban Florida desperately hustles to make $5,000 in this dreamy and surreal animated coming-of-age story. Stream Boys Go to Jupiter on Amazon Prime!

    Watch our chat on YouTube or Spotify!

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend

    Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Julian Glander's website
    • Julian Glander's Instagram
    • The Animator's Animations
    • The Animator's Playlist
    • Pigeon Bagels - PA
    • The Animator's Favorites
    • Buddhist Gumby tshirt from JustinsShirtStore on Etsy
    • TAF At Ottawa International Animation Festival!
    • Tubulus Plasticus by YOON
    • Five Points Bakery - PA
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks: Kaila Hier; my mom and dad; Kristie Kish; Michael Dondero
    • All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity.
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • 22: Getting Through It with Natalia Poteryakhin

    22: Getting Through It with Natalia Poteryakhin
    Jan 20 2026
    Episode 22 is a lucky one with director Natalia Poteryakhin, sharing anecdotes of endurance, logging off, and blind faith, all bolstering her animation career. Further blessing this episode is the appearance of non-human guest Zoe Lombardi-Bello. Watch on video on Youtube or Spotify! Sunny Side Down is a sci-fi parody series where existential dread is served hot with a side of 90’s nostalgia. Just beyond the event horizon of a supermassive black hole floats a tiny diner, frozen in time. Every super short episode drops in on whichever weird alien just got pulled into the black hole’s grasp, cutting between their arrival and off-the-wall conversations with the diner’s cryptic cook, Yabba, about what actually lies beyond. There is no way back. You either stay at the diner forever, or risk passing through the hole. Think Spaceballs-level absurdity meets Cheers-style diner regulars, filtered through a radical 90’s sci-fi lens. Expect visual gags, fast setups, and parody riffs on classics like Men in Black, Terminator 2, The Matrix, Starship Troopers, and Contact. This is not hard sci-fi. Physics is optional. Absurdity is mandatory. At the center of it all is Nat, a human waitress and accidental astrophysics prodigy stranded at the diner after a light travel experiment went wrong. She is stubborn, brilliant, snarky, and desperate enough to believe she can build a machine strong enough to escape a black hole. While serving coffee and dodging alien drama, she secretly hoards space junk to engineer her way home to Earth. Running the diner is Yabba, an ancient, chainsmoking, four-armed mentor who has kept this place running for millennia. She is tired. She wants to retire. But her only option is the black hole itself, and she will not go unless someone is ready to take over the diner. Sunny Side Down is not a kids show. Things do not have neat morals. Good behavior is not rewarded. It leans into existential dread, the horror of living in the shadow of a black hole, and the strange comfort of routine in a place you cannot leave. It is purgatory with pancakes. Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO Links to points of discussion: Sunny Side DownNatalia's websiteNatalia's InstagramThe Animator's AnimationsMAKE Originals on YouTubeNice Moves - MNCreator on YouTubeTess Martin on TAFThe Animator's PlaylistAnne Beal on TAFHellavisionThe Animator's FavoritesEmory Allen's websiteAnatola Howard's websiteNicole Otaola on TAFThe Animator's Friend on Instagram The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloBooking assistance from Chris Hollis & Amy StemanDigital marketing assistance from Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponSpecial thanks: my mom and dad; Kristie Kish; Michael Dondero; Barnaby CatterallAll opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity.
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    1 hr and 34 mins