XBIZ is pleased to announce that multi-hyphenate European industry figure and twice-crowned XBIZ Europas Director of the Year Julia Grandi will deliver a keynote address at next month’s XBIZ Amsterdam conference.
A famed name in adult moviemaking, Grandi became an industry mainstay by parlaying a successful performing career into establishing preeminent talent agency Julmodels, and then becoming an acclaimed director and producer for Vixen Media Group (VMG). In her keynote address, set for Monday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m., she will share her experiences achieving those milestones and the hard-won wisdom she has gleaned in the course of her 15-year career.
“For me, shooting movies is a year-round process, one that never stops,” said Grandi. “Which is why I’m very much looking forward to XBIZ Amsterdam. It’s a chance for us to recognize each other’s work and effort throughout the year and support each other’s victories, big and small.”
After studying journalism and working as a graphic designer, Grandi embarked on a career as a performer in St. Petersburg, Russia, which led her to scouting new talent for adult productions. Once she ventured into pro studio work for companies like Evil Angel and DDF Network, Grandi began connecting with more and more models in her travels, acting as both scene partner and guide to them.
As time passed, Grandi found it challenging to combine performing and talent management, so she stepped back from on-camera work to focus on behind-the-scenes opportunities, which paved the way for Julmodels. As she pivoted, she gained momentum, attracting talent to her banner and securing work for her roster in a variety of content genres.
Despite having to contend with negative attention from Russian media, Grandi nonetheless shepherded numerous models over the years, teaching them everything from acting to the finer points of hardcore performance. Still, pressure mounted as Russia treated her like an outlaw, which led her to relocate operations to Hungary, where she now holds court in her enterprise.
Meanwhile, another important chapter in Grandi’s story was just beginning. When then-Vixen Media Group director extraordinaire Greg Lansky took Grandi under his wing, she flourished as emissary for the company’s studio brands in Europe, helping plant the Tushy, Blacked and Vixen flags in the region and subsequently earning the opportunity to lens big-budget scenes in exotic locales spanning Mykonos, Greece and Ibiza, Spain. From protege to full-fledged director, Grandi has now helmed hundreds of scenes for VMG, landing numerous coveted accolades in the process.
For event information, visit XBIZAmsterdam.com.
