Amanda Pinto is an Ohio-raised, New York-based filmmaker, actor, and photographer. She began directing on-camera with the web series This Is B.S., which was acquired for streaming and executive produced by Terry Crews. Her short film directorial work includes Break/Fix, Mac & Cheese (winner Best Director, Easterseals Disability Film Challenge), and three upcoming releases. Her producing work includes the short films Cigarettes (currently in development w/ Sundance) and Major (EP Tarell Alvin McCraney), and is currently in pre-production for the indie feature GRIND (dir. Peter Collins Campbell). She is a co-founder of Art Nerds & Film Folks, a monthly networking event hosted in her photo studio, featuring up-and-coming visual artists, short film programs, and her favorite wine and snacks. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
What it the title of your film in BIFF 2024?
Break/Fix
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
My first experience with film must have been a Disney movie, and my all-time favorite is Pocahontas. I loved musical movies growing up and went on to study musical theater in college. The first on-camera project I directed was a web series called “This Is B.S.” about a summer stock troupe in a small New England town, so the subject matter really resonated with me and it felt like a story that I was fully qualified to tell.
Who is (are) your favorite filmmakers?
The Coen Brothers, Julia Ducournau, Bob Fosse
What are you working on that no one knows about?
I’m finishing up a noir-esque short about a two exes navigating joint custody of their dog. I shot it spur of the moment last year with a couple friends and have been trying to find the time to just finish it!
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
– Camila Mendes (only because people think we look alike!)
– Milk Duds (odd, I know)
– The Worst Person In The World (lol)