Member in the Spotlight: Danielle Guirguis

This week, we shine the spotlight on Member Danielle Guirguis, Chief Smartie at Smarthouse Films. Driven by a passion and creative mind for film and commercials, Danielle founded Smarthouse in 2011 with the intention of it not just being ‘another creative production house’. Through developing, producing and distributing a mixture of feature films, shorts, documentaries and commercials, Smarthouse is ‘married to feature film but fell in love with advertising’.

Danielle brings her extensive knowledge of the industry to our Jury panel this year as she joins us as one of the Judges in the Film category for the Dutch Creativity Awards 2020. Let’s get to know her a bit better through our series of quick-fire questions.

Draw a self portrait (in 1 minute or less).

Which of your projects makes you the most proud?

Projects that are meaningful and created with a team that is on the same page, so we can all contribute to our field of expertise and make 1+1=3 happen.

On your mission as a creative, what is your main goal?

To find kindred spirits.

What kind of brief/project would you drop everything for?

A project that challenges the status quo in an artistic way. Or…. the new campaign for Bamigo/KFC/Leen Bakker of course ;)

What’s the one working tool you can’t live without?

My gut feeling.

What’s your favourite lunch/food that gets those creative juices flowing?

A cheese sandwich.

Best piece of advice?

Stop making feature films. Which I ignored.

What’s the most interesting trend in your field to watch right now?

That is a tough one in Corona times.

Name one thing that recently sparked your imagination?

Solaris by Andrei Tarkovsky - digitally restored by EYE (watch it on www.picl.nl)

Name a project that made you think ‘I wish I’d done that’ and why?

Uff. Where to start :)

Who do you admire the most in the Dutch creative industry?

The people of KesselsKramer. For staying true to themselves for so many solid years.

What do you think defines the Dutch creative community?

We like to say what we think :)

Name one thing you’d like to improve in the Dutch creative industry?

Be proud of what you make!