MISSION: DIRECTION

My path toward directing didn’t begin in a single discipline—it grew a convergence of experiences across music, performance, and visual production. Working as an actor in both film and commercial contexts taught me how to read and shape performance from the inside. My background in music—whether in studio sessions, as a frontman, or through my solo project JXTS—trained my sense of rhythm, tone, and emotional composition. Over time, these worlds stopped feeling separate and began to merge into a clear vision: to tell stories where image, sound, and performance are inseparable.

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I understand art as a form of communication—precise, intuitive, and deeply human. In parallel to my own projects, I’ve worked in art direction, production, and conception for artists such as Pyrame, Great White Shark, Gabriel Pulecio, and Berlin Tanzt. Across projects in Johannesburg, Paris, Cape Town, Berlin, and Los Angeles, these ideas were realized through close collaboration with dedicated teams of actors, cinematographers, and dancers. That process—building something collective while holding a singular vision—has been fundamental in shaping how I direct.

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This vision fully crystallized with my first 40-minute short film, ONLY VAGABONDS LEFT ALIVE shot in Jo, which I wrote, directed, shot, and produced. Originating from my project JXTS—where I see music not just as sound but as a complete experience—the film became a natural extension of that philosophy. Shooting in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the project pushed me into every layer of filmmaking, demanding both instinct and precision. It was in this process that I truly understood what it means to carry a story from concept to final frame.

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Having the film screened this April 2026 at the Labia Cinema in Cape Town marks a significant personal milestone. More than a presentation, it represents a moment of recognition—of a path that has been built through hands-on experience, collaboration, and a constant drive to understand every department involved in filmmaking. Falling in love with this project confirmed something essential: directing is not just an ambition, it’s the natural continuation of everything I’ve been building.

For me, the essence of filmmaking lies in knowing the craft in its entirety. Working as an actor, editor, and camera operator has grounded my approach in practical knowledge and respect for each role on set. It allows me to lead with clarity while staying open to the creative energy of the team.

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This is how my vision as a director is established—rooted in real-world experience, shaped by multiple disciplines, and driven by the desire to create work that feels cohesive and alive.