""We made this in an academic space," Magbanua says. "To have it be screened and experienced in a space surrounded by professionals and people who are established, seasoned and esteemed, it's really surreal, because we were just making this in a classroom a couple months ago.""
"" BFF Diary ended up being an ode to childhood, friendship and big life changes," Thota explains. "I really wanted to explore personal and iconic locations from my childhood spent in Bangalore, India, and I try to use a lot of warm lighting, saturated colors, and familiar imagery to really invite viewers to reflect on their own friendships and the bonds that last through their lives.""
Annika Magbanua began making stop-motion films at six using a small camcorder and Littlest Pet Shop figurines, growing a passion for animation and design. Her work transitioned from classroom projects to screenings alongside established professionals, creating a surreal contrast between early practice and public exhibition. Another filmmaker, Thota, created BFF Diary inspired by a childhood purple diary; the film follows two inseparable school friends from Bangalore and examines friendship adapting to separation. BFF Diary uses warm lighting, saturated colors, and familiar imagery to evoke nostalgia. Both filmmakers ground their work in personal memory, navigating production logistics while keeping clear artistic vision.
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