Press & Interviews

Winner Interview
Vanessa Stachel, Student Filmmaker, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

For the second year in a row, the Grand Award for Student Videos went to an aspiring young filmmaker from the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg based in Germany. This year, the talented Vanessa Stachel received the prestigious award for her innovative stop-motion spec spot "Delivery for Mr. Frogula". 

In this interview, we delve into the creative journey behind this remarkable work, explore the inspirations and challenges faced along the way, and get to know more about Vanessa Stachel, the creative force behind this unique vision.

Congratulations on your Grand Award! What does it mean to you and all the people involved in this project to receive this award?

Our “Team Frogula” is absolutely blown away by the success we had in the last months at festivals with our stop-motion spec spot! And now, winning a Grand Award at the US International Awards shows us we made all the right decisions when making the film. Thank you so much, we feel honored!

Can you run us through the creative process behind the winning work you entered into the 2024 US International Awards? 

My very first idea was just to make a stop-motion spec spot about a vampire frog. That’s it. I felt a bit exhausted from the very busy three years of film school I had so far and I loved the idea of just crafting a frog puppet and listening to audiobooks for countless hours while doing so.
And maybe also to tell a super fun and spooky story? Since forever, I’ve been in love with Vampire stories... and with frogs!

Winner Interview
Jasper Claus, Founder and Creative Director of 1Camera

The Grand Award for the best entry in the main category Corporate Videos went to the powerful branded video "The Power of Together" produced by the Netherlands production company 1Camera. Created for the insurance company Achmea, the film tells the compelling story of five fictional characters who experience life-changing events.

In our exclusive interview with 1Camera's founder and creative director Jasper Claus, he delves into the creative process behind his acclaimed work, shedding light on how he transforms corporate messages into compelling stories that touch hearts and minds. With a track record of 16 years in pushing the boundaries of storytelling, Jasper shares the secrets to translating corporate messages into relatable, emotional stories that captivate audiences and drive 1Camera's growth.

Watch our exclusive interview with Grand Award winner Jasper Claus from 1Camera here: https://www.usinternationalawards.com/media

Or read the transcript below:

Congratulations on your Grand Award! What does it mean to you, your team, and all the people involved in this project to receive this award?

We're very proud. This means a lot to us. It means that our work is not only successful with its audience but is also respected by its peers. And to us, that means the world. It means that the film was able to do what we set out for it to be able to do.

Jury Insights Interview
Andrea Florence
 

We are thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Andrea Florence, an Emmy award-winning Executive Producer renowned for her exceptional work in high-rating factual shows across global broadcasters and platforms. In this interview, Andrea shares her valuable insights from her recent experience as a jury member for the documentary categories at the 2024 US International Awards. She discusses the documentaries that stood out to her the most, offering a glimpse into what makes a truly remarkable production in today's competitive landscape.

Thank you for being part of the 2024 US International Awards Jury! You and your fellow jury members watched a huge number of entries. How would you describe the overall quality of the entries?

My selection included a wide range of shows: some beautifully crafted with high production values, amazing photography, and witty scripts, while others were incredibly powerful and emotionally charged.

Please tell us more about your judging process.

When I judge, I find it essential to be in a quiet environment with no time pressures. To ensure fairness, I always begin by reviewing the background information to understand the context thoroughly. I believe in the importance of careful consideration, often revisiting sections of the performances and adjusting my scores as needed. Only after watching all the assigned videos, I finalize my scores.

Meet the Jury Interview
Tay Guan Hin 

As the esteemed Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore, Tay Guan Hin is a creative powerhouse and internationally recognized creative thinker. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, he has proven his ability to lead significant agency networks such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Wunderman Thompson, Grey, and Leo Burnett. His remarkable achievements have garnered him recognition through over 300 international creative awards.
 

We are thrilled to have you on the 2024 US International Awards jury. Please tell us more about your professional journey in the creative field and how you navigate your daily work life.

It's a pleasure to be on the 2024 US International Awards jury. My journey in the creative industry has been both enriching and transformative. Launching my first book "Collide," which became an Amazon #1 bestseller in under 24 hours, was a career highlight this year. This success underscores my commitment to embracing conflict as a catalyst for creativity.

As the Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore, I've had the privilege of working with global networks like Saatchi & Saatchi, Wunderman Thompson, Grey, and Leo Burnett. I have focused on leveraging digital engagement to enhance brand preference for significant clients like Visa, AIA, Audi, Shell, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, P&G, HSBC, and Unilever. This approach has proven effective in increasing market share and addressing complex business challenges.