Website: http://www.signebaumane.com/

Bio from website:
Signe was born in Latvia. Her first short story was published in a local newspaper when she was 14. She continued to publish short stories, poems and essays through her teens. She studied Philosophy at Moscow State University for 5 years. After she received a BA in Philosophy, Signe started to work at Riga’s Animated Film Studio at the entry-level position – cel painter. Around that time, Signe illustrated 3 children’s books and made sets for a puppet theater. With support of Latvian Government grants, Signe made 3 animated shorts in Latvia. Seeking a challenge, Signe moved to New York where (1996 – 2003) she worked for independent animator Bill Plympton in capacity of cel painter, art director and production manager. Signe continued to make her own films and did commissioned book illustration work. In 1998, Signe received her US green card as ‘extraordinary ability alien’. From 1998 on, she made her films at her own studio. In 2005 she became a NYFA Fellow in Film. She received 2 grants from Jerome Foundation – one for her animated short “Birth”, the other for her animated feature “Rocks In My Pockets”. She also received 2 grants from NYSCA in support of “Rocks In My Pockets”. Signe has written, directed and animated 15 shorts and one feature film. Collectively, they’ve been accepted in over 300 film festivals around the world and received many awards. She was also awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2017. Signe is currently working on her second animated feature, titled “My Love Affair With Marriage”, which will use music and science to examine the biological chemistry of love and gender, as well as the societal pressures on an individual to conform to social mores.