Isabella Rossellini has revealed she is developing a new animal-themed short film series called "The Survival of the Friendliest," which will explore the history of pets and domestic animals. Speaking at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, the actress and filmmaker said she will play every role in the series herself, continuing a body of work that began with 2008's Green Porno and has previously covered mating behaviour and animal motherhood.

Rossellini credited the late Robert Redford with encouraging her to make Green Porno for the Sundance Channel, saying he believed short films suited the small screens of early smartphones, and that she "owes" him her directing career. She also discussed her early struggles after harsh reviews of her debut film role in The Meadow led her to quit acting for five years and focus on modelling instead, and explained she has no immediate plans to direct a feature film due to time constraints from running a farm and acting commitments. She additionally reflected on her collaborations with directors including David Lynch, Robert Zemeckis, Guy Maddin and James Gray, recalling the controversy around Lynch's Blue Velvet.