Albert Birney
Albert Birney is an American filmmaker, writer, and animator best known for his visually imaginative and surreal films, including Strawberry Mansion and Sylvio. His work blends hand-drawn animation, absurdist humor, and dreamlike storytelling. Birney is also known for co-creating the indie video game and animated project Tux and Fanny.
Early life and education
Albert Birney was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He became interested in music and visual storytelling at a young age, co-founding the indie pop group The Spinto Band while still in high school. He later attended Syracuse University, where he earned a B.A. in Film in 2004.Career
Early work and music
Birney was one of the founding members of The Spinto Band, an indie rock group formed in the late 1990s. He left the band in the early 2000s to pursue filmmaking and visual arts full-time. He is also a founding member of Teen Men, Hotel Alien and releases music under his own name. Birney's early work directing music videos for these projects served as a segue into his narrative and experimental film career. He has directed music videos for bands such as Ra Ra Riot, Dr. Dog, Generationals, Future Islands and Dan Deacon.Filmmaking
Birney's breakout feature film was Sylvio, which he co-directed with Kentucker Audley. The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and was named one of the best films of the year by The New Yorker.In 2021, Birney and Audley co-directed Strawberry Mansion, a science fiction romantic fantasy that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film received critical acclaim for its imaginative visuals and analog aesthetic.
Birney is the creator of the animated project and video game Tux and Fanny, which features hand-drawn pixel art and surreal humor. The project received widespread praise for its originality and philosophical undertones.
In 2025, Birney released his sixth feature film, OBEX, continuing his exploration of analog and DIY filmmaking techniques.