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interviews
February 10, 2026

Meet the Jury Interview
Eric van den Hoonaard

We're thrilled to welcome Eric van den Hoonaard to the jury for the 2026 US International Awards. A self-proclaimed "late bloomer," Eric traded the agency creative desk for the director's chair and hasn't looked back since. Born in Düsseldorf and shaped by formative years in Cape Town, Eric now calls Berlin home—a journey driven by curiosity and a life philosophy of investing in experiences over things. As a multi-award-winning director, he's mastered the art of writing scenes that leap off the page and onto the screen, working with brands like Adidas, Adobe, Mercedes, and Manscaped. His mission? To create work that polarizes in the best way possible, making audiences laugh until they cry, cry with honest emotion, or see something they've never seen before. In this interview, Eric shares his philosophy on enduring countless "no"s for that one magical "yes," what makes a good corporate video, and the production secret to make it look like a million-dollar project.
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interviews
December 11, 2025

Winner Interview
Nils Persson, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Sweden

 

We are pleased to speak with Nils Persson, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Sweden, whose latest campaign, “Visit the Original Sweden”, earned a Grand Award at the 2025 US International Awards. For this award-winning project, Nils and his team developed a concept around the idea of originality, playing on the insight that several places around the world are called Sweden — but only one is the original - seamlessly blending cultural authenticity with creative storytelling. 
Under Nils’ leadership, Visit Sweden has consistently launched innovative campaigns that have impressed audiences and juries alike, and that have also rocked previous editions of the US International Awards, cementing his reputation as a true force in destination marketing. 
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interviews
November 25, 2025

Winner Interview
Will Foster-Grundy, Cinematographer and Director  


We are honored to speak with award-winning cinematographer and director Will Foster-Grundy, whose latest documentary “Dethroned” won the Grand Award at the 2025 US International Awards. The film, produced by Terra Mater Studios and Four Corners Film & Photography in association with Four Paws, investigates the global exploitation of big cats blending investigative storytelling with cinematic artistry.
Will’s work bridges the worlds of documentary storytelling and cinematic artistry. He has devoted his career to exploring the natural world and the intricate relationship between humans and animals. In this interview, Will shares the challenges and triumphs of creating such an ambitious documentary, reflects on his creative process, and offers insights into what makes a compelling and honest film.
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interviews
October 22, 2025

Winner Interview
Peter Schels, Managing Director of Al Dente Entertainment


We are thrilled to speak with Peter Schels, CEO of Al Dente Entertainment, one of the leading film agencies in German-speaking Europe specializing in corporate filmmaking. Under Peter’s leadership, Al Dente has produced over 500 productions and campaigns worldwide, earning numerous national and international accolades along the way. Since founding Al Dente Entertainment in 2004, Peter has become a sought-after speaker and lecturer on storytelling, recruiting, and employer branding. This year, Al Dente Entertainment has made a remarkable mark at the 2025 US International Awards, taking home multiple honors including Best Cinematography, Best Editing, three Silver Awards, Best Production Company, and Best Agency.