NYWIFT Blog

By Lily Della Pietra

Welcome to NYWIFT, Elizabeth K. Budion!

A member of SAG-AFTRA since 2014, Elizabeth got her taste of the film industry by doing background and stand-in work for notable shows such as Orange is the New Black, Broad City, How to Be Single, and The Path. After several years in that space, she dabbled in casting for shows such as Law & Order: SVU, before switching gears to join the Peace Corps in 2018. 

While living in The Gambia, she focused on elevating the societal status of women, expanding their horizons and potential through education. Elizabeth also built a library and wrote various water grants, while learning the local language of Wolof. Returning to the states in 2020, Elizabeth then received her Master’s from New York University, in Global Affairs with a focus on international development and women’s rights. 

Returning to film, Elizabeth recently wrote, produced, and edited a short animated film titled You. Matter., starring Tony Award winner Laura Benanti. The fiml will make its world premiere at the Catalina Film Festival in September 2025. In addition, Elizabeth is currently collaborating with her filmmaker husband to pen a feature titled RetroViewer. When not working on films, Elizabeth enjoys having new adventures with her adorable 16-month-old son Louis Joseph, or “LouJay!”

Read on to learn more about Elizabeth, how she got started in the film industry, and her experience in the Peace Corps!

NYWIFT Member Elizabeth Budion

Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.

Hey there! A Cleveland native, I moved to NYC to pursue a career in dance and acting. After gaining a plethora of knowledge about the industry from working on some amazing sets, I pivoted to joining the Peace Corps. I was fortunate to serve in an amazing country with the greatest people in The Gambia and worked on various projects focused on women and children. 

Once the pandemic happened, I decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs, focusing on international development and women’s rights. After graduating, I found my way back to TV and film on the other side of the camera and have been working on writing and producing. I most recently co-wrote a short about women’s rights with my husband that we will premiere this fall. 

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I stumbled upon NYWIFT when searching for organizations that aligned with my passions. I was looking into women in TV and film, and a home for the short, which led me to NYWIFT. I’m very appreciative to have such an amazing platform with like-minded individuals.

Budion graduating from NYU

What inspired you to become an actress, and how did you get started in the industry?

I was inspired to become an actress after injuring myself in dance. I had been dancing my entire life and pursuing a career in dance with a scholarship to college. After my injury in college, I began auditioning for musical theatre shows and taking a few acting for the camera classes while pursuing a degree in biology. Once I graduated, I moved to NYC and never looked back.

Can you tell us about your experience in the Peace Corps and if/how it has influenced your work in the film industry? 

My experience in the Peace Corps not only influenced my work but truly influenced the way I look at life as a whole. I collaborated with my village and an amazing community of women on projects such as water grants, a library, and an all-female football team. My main focus was to help further their education and improve their quality of life. Working with my community made me have a greater appreciation of my own life and what I want to do with it.

Budion in the Peace Corps

What has been the most fulfilling project you’ve worked on so far, and what made it special for you? 

The most fulfilling project I’ve worked on so far would be this short animated film, You. Matter. My husband and I wrote it right after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, when I was pursuing my Master’s. The emotional toll it was taking on me led us to write it. It may be just a short, but it holds a lot of feeling and authenticity in it that makes me feel really proud. 

In addition, my acting was used to drive the animations, of which we were lucky enough to have Tony Award Winner Laura Benanti lend her voice to bring them to life.

Budion at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

Are there particular themes or messages you feel passionate about incorporating into your work? 

Absolutely! The themes and messages I feel most passionate about incorporating into my work are female voices, women’s rights, the playfulness of childhood, nature, and honesty.

Are there any projects you are currently working on or would like to explore in the future?

Once our short premieres, there’s a possibility of making it into a feature, which could be really interesting. I’m also working on writing a coming-of-age feature about a group of young girls who stumble upon an old school retro-viewer that sets them off on an adventure of self-discovery and personal growth.

Explore Elizabeth’s short films on Instagram at @you.matter.shortfilm.

(All images courtesy of Elizabeth Budion)