Xavier van Delft

Visual Artist

Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

About

Filmmaker | Visual Storyteller | Director of Animated & Audiovisual Experiences A Filmmaker & Story Architect | I build films, animations & visual narratives that move people and not markets. 15+ years experience | Narrative-driven I am a filmmaker and visual storyteller with over 15 years of professional experience in creating powerful, layered stories across animation, film, and immersive media. What drives me is this: telling stories that resonate, disrupt, and connect. I create narrative experiences. From poetic documentaries to surreal animations, that invite audiences to feel, reflect, and engage with the world around them. Whether it's a museum film, a cultural animation, or a story-based installation, I strive to make work that is meaningful and lasting. With deep expertise in story structure, visual language, and the emotional psychology of narrative, I develop work that is both artistically compelling and socially relevant. I don’t make content. I create experiences that are crafted with intention, depth, and vision. I don’t believe in empty commercial work. I believe in stories with substance. I also teach storytelling and animation at the Art Academy St. Joost, where I mentor the next generation of creative voices. Multilingual: Dutch & French (native), fluent English, German, basic Spanish, basic Norwegian

Experience

  • XAPF - Visual Artist at XAPF
    Jan 2014 - Present · 12 yrs 6 mos

    I develop and direct a wide range of projects, from visual storytelling and animation to socially engaged documentaries and immersive audiovisual experiences. My work spans styles and formats, but always starts from the same foundation: stories that matter. Currently, I am directing Verborgen Verhalen: a project that brings hidden layers of cultural heritage to life through surreal, handcrafted animation. In collaboration with a team of animators and composers, we transform historical artefacts into poetic, time-travelling narratives. I am also developing a documentary about our global addiction to energy. This film explores the ecological, existential and systemic tensions that arise when infinite growth meets finite reality. The deeper we dig, the clearer it becomes: if everything must grow, then nothing can stay the same. The documentary in development has been selected for multiple prestigious workshops and pitching forums, and was awarded with a mentorship prize.

  • Docent - diverse afdelingen -AKV Sint Joost at Avans Hogeschool
    Feb 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 5 mos

    Bij AKV ST Joost werk ik als docent op verschillende afdelingen (Animatie, Illustratie, Film, Fotografie, Autonoom, Design) en geef ik les in theorie, diverse technieken, conceptrealisatie, context, research, e.v.a. Verder ben ik betrokken bij stagebegeleiding, keuzemodules, diverse minoren, projectweken om enkele voorbeelden te noemen. Ik ben in het bezit van een BDB en een BKE certificaat.

  • Teacher Film and Film Theory at Nederlandse Academie voor Beeldcreatie
    Nov 2019 - Jul 2022 · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • Teacher Animation at SintLucas
    Dec 2016 - Feb 2019 · 2 yrs 3 mos

  • Sr. Video Editor/ Motion Designer at Imagine People
    Aug 2014 - Jan 2015 · 6 mos

    Video Editor and Motion Graphic Designer for branded content.