Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Juan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Juan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Warren? was my first English-language short, and it came out of a script contest. When I finished the script, I liked it so much that I felt compelled to make it. It also marked my first time working with my current producing partner, Judy Febles. The film ended up winning several awards, which was incredibly meaningful, especially because I almost didn’t go through with it. I was convinced no one would connect with it, but it turned out a lot of people did.
Parkside is another project that is special to me because it was a passion project ten years in the making. There were times when I thought about giving up on it, but thanks to the help of friends and family, I was finally able to finish it. This project reminded me that anything is possible, even finishing a movie with no money.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Juan C. Linares, and I’m a Puerto Rican director and screenwriter based in Chicago. My entry into the industry came organically. When I was a kid I wanted to be a professional wrestler, that morphed into me wanting to be an actor. I began my education studying acting in Puerto Rico and, as a frustrated actor, found myself drawn to the craft of directing. That eventually led me to writing and directing my own work; with the kinds of stories and characters I wanted to see.

In college, I met like-minded weirdos who shaped me in one way or another, and when I moved to Chicago, it was more of the same. I kept meeting and collaborating with people until one day, filmmaking became my profession. For most of my life I knew I wanted to work in the entertainment industry. It was just a matter of life showing me exactly what I was going to do.
The projects I direct like: Warren?, Between the Silence, Artista, and Parkside, reflect my love for people, their quirks, and the absurdity of everyday life, always grounded in emotional truth. My films live in the in-between of dark comedy and human drama, often focusing on characters who are overlooked, misunderstood, or navigating the quieter corners of life.
What sets me apart is a deep focus on character and emotional truth. I’m interested in what makes people tick, what makes them funny, strange, endearing and flawed. I like to think my work invites people to notice the small things that make us all human.

I’m most proud that my work feels genuine to who I am, whether it’s something I wrote or was hired to direct. I’m proud that I have gotten to collaborate with artists from all walks of life. From theater, community organizing, music or film, I’m proud of making films with heart and soul. If there’s one thing I’d like potential collaborators and audiences to know is that I make work for people who feel a little out of place in this world.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I don’t really get NFT’s. To me it just seems like a fad and an extremely overpriced Jpeg.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

To me, it’s about seeing the finished product, watching what were once just words on a page spring to life. As a director, you begin with the conception of an idea, or perhaps you’re brought on board with a script already in hand, and as you read it, vivid, beautiful images come to mind. You survive pre-production and production, overcoming countless obstacles — weather, budget constraints, or just life itself — and then, to see those once-intangible images appear on the big screen exactly as you imagined them is pure magic. Watching the film, or project take on a life of its own, no longer belonging solely to you, is a scary but deeply rewarding experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juanclinares.com
• Instagram: juancarwai
• Other: VImeo:
  https://vimeo.com/juanclinares

  IMDB
  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6323578/