We recently connected with Savvas Christou and have shared our conversation below.

Savvas, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Cult Experiences was born from my deep love for the arts and my time spent living in Los Angeles. Over seven incredible years in LA, I immersed myself in the city’s vibrant creative scene, attending countless film festivals and soaking in the diverse artistic expressions. These events were more than just gatherings; they were a source of inspiration and motivation, bringing together creators, audiences, and industry professionals in a celebration of art and innovation.

When I returned to Cyprus, I felt a strong desire to recreate this atmosphere back home. I wanted to build something that resonated with me as an artist and provided the same sense of community, inspiration, and opportunity. That’s how Cult Experiences came to life.

At Cult Experiences, we celebrate art in various forms through three distinct festivals: the Cyprus Music Video Festival, the Cyprus Dance Film Festival, and the Cyprus Fashion Film Festival. Each of these festivals caters to a specific artistic niche, providing a dedicated platform for creators to showcase their work. This year, we’re excited to merge these festivals under one umbrella event, the Cult Experiences Festival, while still keeping their unique identities.

Beyond festivals, we offer a range of services, including film and video production, photography, and social media management. We produce everything from advertisements and music videos to dance films and corporate videos. We also have a music label that supports local talent and promotes music globally, and an Academy that offers training for aspiring filmmakers.

Our mission is to transform art from a hobby into a thriving industry, creating an inclusive, oppression-free space for all art forms. We aim to bridge the gap between artists and the community, nurturing Cypriot culture and providing opportunities for growth and collaboration.

What excites me most about this venture is that it’s created and operated by artists, for artists. We understand the needs and challenges of creators because we are creators ourselves. This allows us to design festivals and services that truly serve the artistic community, offering not just a platform for showcasing work, but also opportunities for networking and professional growth.

We knew this would be a worthwhile endeavor because we saw a gap in the market. While Cyprus has a rich cultural heritage, there wasn’t a dedicated platform for contemporary visual and performing arts. By combining multiple artistic disciplines under one festival, we’re not just filling this gap, but fostering a vibrant, interconnected creative community.

Building Cult Experiences has been a journey driven by passion and a commitment to supporting fellow artists. This passion fuels our vision and makes every step of the journey incredibly rewarding.

For more details, you can visit our website at www.cultexperiences.com .

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

Hi everyone! I’m excited to share a bit about myself and my journey into the world of art and filmmaking. My name is Savvas Christou, and my career has been driven by a passion for exploring complex psychological themes and pushing the boundaries of visual and auditory storytelling.

I’ve always been deeply fascinated by the power of art to evoke emotions and provoke thought. This led me to pursue a career as an artist and filmmaker. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work on some incredible projects. One of my notable works is the feature film “Captive” (also known as “Katherine’s Lullaby”), a psychological thriller inspired by a real-life encounter in Thessaloniki. This film delves into themes of family relationships and survival, and it was a profound experience to bring it to life.

Another project close to my heart is “A Scream That’s Trapped Inside,” an award-winning short film exploring repressed emotions and psychological trauma. The recognition it received from various film festivals and the Mayor of North Hollywood was truly humbling.

During my MFA at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, I created “Phobic Disorders,” an interactive installation that explored fear and anxiety through video art. This project was a transformative journey, blending personal experiences with psychological research to create an immersive experience for viewers.

As the CEO and Founder of Cult Experiences, I lead a team dedicated to elevating art from a pastime to a thriving industry. Our mission is to support artists by providing platforms for their work through festivals and events, and by offering production, photography, and social media management services. We operate three major festivals: the Cyprus Music Video Festival, the Cyprus Dance Film Festival, and the Cyprus Fashion Film Festival. This year, we’re excited to merge these into the Cult Experiences Festival, creating an even more dynamic and inclusive event.

One of our standout projects is “To Teras,” an innovative film that combines found footage and mockumentary styles, inviting audience participation for a truly immersive experience. This project exemplifies our commitment to collaborative and inclusive filmmaking.

Our Cult Experiences Academy offers comprehensive training for aspiring filmmakers, guiding them through creating their own films and honing their directorial skills. Additionally, our music label supports local talent and promotes music globally, contributing to the vibrant cultural scene in Cyprus.

What sets us apart is our artist-driven approach. Being artists ourselves, we understand the unique needs and challenges of the creative community. This allows us to design festivals and services that truly resonate with artists, providing not just platforms for showcasing their work, but also opportunities for networking, collaboration, and professional growth.

I’m particularly proud of the impact our work has had on the artistic community in Cyprus and beyond. From producing viral videos that uplift spirits during the pandemic to organizing community initiatives and festivals that foster emerging talent, our goal has always been to create meaningful and memorable experiences.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Starting out, my audience was pretty small, just around 1000 followers who were mostly friends and schoolmates. I began sharing my creative work online, and thankfully, people started liking what I was putting out there.

Things really took off when I moved to the US. I made it a habit to share my daily life in Los Angeles, from school routines to attending events. This really resonated with fellow Cypriot filmmakers and others in the industry, which helped grow my following quite a bit.

When I returned to Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic, I got into experimenting with dance and fashion films, exploring movement in unique ways. That period was crucial for gaining new followers who were interested in this creative side of things.

Nowadays, my growth has steadied out a bit as I’ve been juggling multiple accounts for my company, Cult Experiences. It’s a slower process, but I’m focused on attracting followers who genuinely care about our events and what we’re doing.

If I were to give advice to someone starting out on social media, I’d say authenticity is key. Share what you’re passionate about, engage with your audience, and be consistent. Building relationships with your followers and networking within your industry can make a big difference too.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Definitely! I draw inspiration from a variety of sources that have shaped how I approach management and entrepreneurship.

Firstly, I deeply value learning from people’s personal stories and experiences. Each individual I meet has a unique journey and insights that I find incredibly valuable. Understanding what drives their success and growth helps me tailor my own leadership style. I believe in empathy and learning from diverse perspectives, which strengthens my ability to connect with my team and support them effectively.

Secondly, I’m passionate about movies and enjoy writing scripts myself. Watching movies allows me to immerse myself in different characters’ lives and experiences. When I write, I deliberately create characters who are unlike myself. This process lets me explore their goals, motivations, and challenges in depth, essentially stepping into their shoes.

Through these diverse characters, I gain profound insights into the wide range of human needs and aspirations. This skill directly influences how I manage and lead. It fosters a deep understanding of individual differences, which is crucial for building a cohesive and empathetic team environment.

In essence, my management philosophy evolves through a blend of real-life experiences and the imaginative exploration of fictional narratives. This continuous learning process shapes my adaptability and growth as both a manager and an entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cultexperiences.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvas_christou
• Linkedin: https://cy.linkedin.com/in/savvaschristou
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6008906/

Image Credits

Doros Theodorou
Dre
Socratis Sarris
Christina Urbankova