River Gallo on Ponyboi and Exploring Identity Through Art

In the ever-evolving landscape of independent cinema, Ponyboi stands out for its deeply personal vision. River Gallo, the writer, producer, and star of the film, sat down with us to discuss the remarkable journey behind bringing this project to life.

Originally developed as a short film while Gallo was still in school, Ponyboi has grown into something much larger. Gallo explains that the short version of Ponyboi served as a vessel to explore their own identity, and to start a conversation that had long been absent from mainstream media.

They noted that “writing the short was a cathartic process. It wasn’t just about filmmaking—it was about reclaiming my own narrative.” This reclamation continued into the feature-length adaptation, where Gallo had the opportunity to expand on themes of belonging, survival, and radical self-love in a world that often fails to see beyond binary constructs.

When asked about the challenges of development, Gallo shares that the biggest hurdle was navigating an industry that still grapples with authentic queer and intersex representation. “There were moments when I felt pressure to make it more palatable, more ‘marketable,’” and said. “but I knew the story wouldn’t be true if I compromised.”

That integrity shines throughout the film, which centers on a character navigating life in New Jersey while dreaming of something more. Drawing from real-life experiences and fictional flourishes.

Gallo credits their team of collaborators, many of whom are queer and trans artists themselves. “there was a shared sense of purpose, everyone on set understood that we weren’t just making a movie—we were making space.”

Watch the full conversation below:

Q&A on the film Ponyboi with writer/producer/actor River Gallo. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

Unfolding over the course of Valentine's Day in New Jersey, a young intersex sex worker must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways, forcing him to confront his past.