Press & Interviews

Winner Interview
Katrin Schwarzkogler, CEO of Monte Nero Productions GmbH

Today, we interviewed Katrin Schwarzkogler, CEO of Monte Nero Productions GmbH, a production company known for taking on unconventional projects, from branded content to experimental exhibitions. The studio primarily operates in the German-speaking market but serves clients across Europe. It works across film, digital media, and live events, frequently blending traditional production methods with modern technologies.

Monte Nero Productions' achievements at the US International Awards 2026 showcased their diverse excellence. They were named Production Company of the Year, won the Best Use of AI for "Future Radio – AI Special Exhibition Room," and earned two Silver Awards for "Loginns – From Graphite To Graphene" and "Riedel – Fatto a Mano – Black Tie." Additionally, "Kärntner Originale" and "Digital Austria Summit" were finalists in other categories, highlighting their impressive performance across multiple disciplines.

To learn more about the work behind this success, we spoke with the team about their creative approach and how they build a project from concept through delivery. The conversation covered their storytelling philosophy, the practical challenges of delivering award-winning work under tight deadlines, and how they approach technology and AI as creative tools that support, rather than replace, the creative process.

Meet the Jury Interview
Pere Cabañas

Blending documentary sensibility with branded storytelling and fiction, Pere Cabañas approaches filmmaking with what he calls a “freestyle” mindset — trusting intuition, emotion and authenticity over rigid formulas. As a filmmaker, editor and post-production professional, his work moves between commercial campaigns, corporate communication and deeply personal independent projects, always with a strong focus on human storytelling.

Now joining the jury for the 2026 US International Awards, Cabañas shares his perspective on creative risk-taking, emotional storytelling and why authenticity matters more than overproduction. From award-winning tourism campaigns to intimate documentary work created under emotionally difficult circumstances, his reflections offer an honest look at the balance between technical craft and genuine human connection in audiovisual communication.

Meet the Jury Interview
Anders Garde Kongshaug

We are proud to welcome Anders Garde Kongshaug to the jury for the 2026 US International Awards. With more than three decades of experience in film, television, and cultural communication, Anders has produced thousands of video news releases broadcast by global media outlets such as CNN, BBC, MTV, Reuters, and Euronews.

As the most awarded Danish director in tourism film within the CIFFT circuit, his work has played a key role in transforming Copenhagen into a leading international travel destination. From founding Kongshaug Productions in 1987 to shaping large-scale cultural initiatives like the Copenhagen Light Festival, Anders continues to redefine how cities communicate their identity through storytelling.

In this interview, he shares insights into his work in international media, cultural storytelling, and the production of large-scale visual projects, reflecting on key projects, creative risks, and what makes strong corporate storytelling stand out.

Meet the Jury Interview
Issam N. Amrani

We’re pleased to welcome Issam N. Amrani, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Fledge Brand Consultancy, to the jury of the 2026 US International Awards. With more than 25 years of experience across advertising, brand strategy, and design, Issam has built a career defined by intention. His work spans Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, guiding brands through launches, transformations, and long-term narrative building with a disciplined, story-first approach.

A seasoned judge and creative leader, Issam is known for carving clarity out of complexity—aligning strategy, design, and storytelling into coherent systems that endure beyond campaign cycles. In this interview, Issam shares more about his path, the standards that recognition should reflect, and why the strongest corporate films say less—but mean more.