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.
Which submissions impressed you the most or still stick in your mind and why?
There were many powerful shows, but two documentaries from the Danish Broadcasting Corporation still stick in my mind. The documentary "This Tuesday I'm going to die" stays with me – it’s both heart-rending and thought-provoking, and it brings to light the many issues arising from assisted dying.
The other documentary, "CARTWHEELS & HEADACHES - A Children's Hospice from the Inside," though very sad, was very sensitively filmed and gave a portrait of amazing people working in this area.
Was it difficult to choose a Grand Award Winner?
Each had its own particular strength, making the final choice incredibly difficult. It took some time and repeated viewings to decide the final scores.
