We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julien Wagner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julien below.

Hi Julien, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My most recent project and first feature, September Babies, is probably the most meaningful project to me. I remember finishing a short film and thinking, “Okay Julien, graduation day. Time to really put it all on the line.” Up until that point, people had always warned me that a feature was a different kind of monster. I didn’t believe them then, but needless to say, I now know exactly what they were talking about. I must have aged 10 years in the three years it took to make that movie.

The story itself hit pretty close to home, but more than that, I got to experience the true extent of family while watching all the people who made this movie with me. In a way, we all graduated. We all got a look behind the curtain. Now that it’s over, life feels… different. We feel different. It’s hard to go back to everyday life when not too long ago, what you did was pure magic.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

It took me years to finally get to this point, overcoming the mother of all imposter syndromes, but now I can confidently say: I am a filmmaker. Writer-director. Sometimes I dabble in production, but honestly, I avoid it at all costs—it’s not my strong suit.

My journey into filmmaking has been anything but straightforward. It’s been a long road of self-doubt, relentless work, and a lot of learning by doing. Getting here has been a mix of exhilarating highs and humbling lows. I’ve faced countless moments where I questioned my abilities and whether I truly belonged in this industry. But through each challenge, I’ve found clarity in my passion.

I don’t think there’s much to me, really. When people ask me to describe myself, I often don’t know what to say other than that I absolutely love the film set. There’s something magical about it—the hum of equipment, the focused chaos, the sense of purpose. Whenever there’s a camera rolling, life just kind of makes sense. A set is its own ecosystem, and to me, it just clicks. It’s where my mind feels at home, and my heart beats in rhythm with the action around me.

I’ve always felt that this is what I need to do. The creative process of bringing a story to life, from the first draft to the final cut, is something that fuels me. And whenever I’m not on set or climbing up walls to finish a script, I feel like someone unplugged me from the wall outlet. It’s a constant drive to create, to push boundaries, and to find new ways to tell stories.

Being on set is like breathing fresh air; it’s where everything comes together—the hard work, the collaboration, the unexpected magic that happens when the camera starts rolling.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I remember a few years back, I suddenly had the urge to quit film and decided to study law. To no one’s surprise, that didn’t go well. I ended up sitting in law classes with Final Draft open, and the rows behind me were reading along to whatever I was writing. I vividly recall one day when I was scrolling through pages of a newly finished draft in class. Someone tapped me on the back and asked me to go back to the previous page so they could finish reading. That moment really stuck with me. I didn’t even know these people, but whatever I was writing seemed to captivate them enough to follow along during a lecture.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Depicting aspects of shared humanity and seeing the audience react to whatever sliver of madness my brain barfed out is magical. Putting your thoughts on screen means people finally get to see what you see. It’s a validation of your vision and creativity—a confirmation that you’re not just lost in your own world. When people connect with your story, laugh at a scene, or get moved by a moment, it reassures you that your ideas resonate beyond your own mind. It’s a powerful reminder that, in those shared reactions, you’re not crazy—you’re a storyteller.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://september-babies.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjulstar/?hl=de