Xavier Encinas

“Creative director, curator, publisher, collector” and founder of Sixteen World Xavier Encinas joins me on the podcast for this episode. I’d argue you could also add great podcast guest because he pushes back against this idea that France is a great haven for independent film. 

As part of his Sixteen artistic venture, he curates the Sixteen Film Institute, with a new film weekly, mostly from around the world, not France. Let’s not misstate his argument — he has nothing against French cinema, he lives there. He’s planning film events in Paris for this Fall. He’s saying, the world of filmmaking especially in Asia is just as exciting. 

I couldn’t be more on board. If you haven’t heard of the Sixteen Film Institute platform, you should — and cheers to the creatives making it happen for independent filmmakers. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How he defines himself as an artist;
• Why he started Sixteen in (no pun intended) 2016 while he was working in advertising and fashion;
• If ad agencies are okay with second gigs like this and how he combines Sixteen with his career;
• How he isn’t bullish on Paris and France cinema — “we show very few short films from French directors” — and why he thinks that might be;
• What is the Sixteen Film Institute and the process of how it works; 
• Are filmmakers being too precious with their short films and the place of Sixteen in the market?
• The audience in France for arthouse films;
• How Sixteen will start to have events in Paris in October and his plans to grow the company…with humility and sustainability. 

Xavier's Indie Filmmaker Highlights: Theo Angelopoulos; Chloe Zhao

Memorable Quotes: 

“ I don't think that I would've been to be able to publish the greatest photographers alive if that would've been a commercial artist.” 

“The global stage is the stage and France is trying to catch up with it.”

“ Yes, the state gives you money, but doesn't make your work visible.”

“I value so much the relationship that I have with the artists.” 

Links:

Follow Xavier On Instagram

Follow Sixteen Film Institute On Instagram

Sixteen Film Institute Website