We're at the drive-in this week for the Hudson Valley Film Festival's 10th Anniversary!  There's no doubt how much this fest loves animation, and they invited me and my friend Kristie Kish to interview selected animators including Ryan Castrillo, Michael McGoldrick, John Quinn, Zac Max, and friends of the pod Arnesh Kundu, Michael Dondero, and Shengnan Dong.  We were also honored to be part of Laura Faith's Filmmakers Journey discussion.

The Hudson Valley Film Festival is a grassroots arts fest run by local creatives, featuring a curated and diverse selection of independent, short films screened at the Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater, located only 55 miles from NYC. The festival is in its 10th year and aims to showcase and celebrate independent filmmakers and their films. The festival supports and celebrates indie filmmaking, culture, community, and the local arts scene within the Hudson Valley…and beyond.

To my animator friends: do not miss the chance to submit your work for year 11!  The festival lived up to it's promise of taking us into the beyond with their celestial selections, cosmic connections, and a suspiciously well-timed supernova on opening night!

Links to points of discussion:

• Hudson Valley Film Festival


• Hudson Valley Film Festival on Instagram


• Warwick Drive-In


• Kristie Kish's website


• Kristie Kish's Instagram


• Ryan Castrillo on Instagram


• The Animator's Animations


• The Animator's Playlist


• The Animator's Favorites


• Michael McGoldrick on Instagram


• Michael McGoldrick on Twitter


• Babe Alert on NewGrounds


• C204 Animation


• Beach Rat Productions on Instagram


• Beach Rat Productions Shop


• John Quinn's website


• John Quinn's Instagram


• John Quinn's YouTube


• The Storm trailer


• Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation, & Technology (PFCAT)


• Kristie Kish on The Animator's Friend


• Boys Go to Jupiter trailer


• Ottawa International Animation Festival


• Leland Powley on Instagram


• Zac Max's website


• Zac Max's Instagram


• The Callicoon Theater


• Michael Dondero & Shengnan Dong on The Animator's Friend


• Nostril's website


• Michael Dondero's website


• Michael Dondero's Instagram


• Shengnan Dong's website


• Shengnan Dong's Instagram


• Arnesh Kundu's website


• Arnesh Kundu's Instagram


• The Mahoning Drive-In


• The Animator's Friend on Instagram

The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator in New York City. In this new 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 and edited by India Lombardi-Bello


• Co-host Kristie Kish


• Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts


• Travel support provided by the Hudson Valley Film Festival


• Digital marketing assistance by Arnesh Kundu


• Music by Cloutmeyer


• Design by Sawyer Rippon


• Special thanks to Arnesh Kundu, Hannah Maxwell, Kristie Kish, Laura Faith, Jess Reisch, Ty Opeña, Darren Santa Maria, Jose Vargas, and Malt Adult.