Carlos N. Cerutti is a Venezuelan-Argentine writer, director, and producer whose work has screened at more than 20 international festivals, including BAFICI, PÖFF Shorts, and the London Short Film Festival. He has worked on a wide range of Spanish-language content—from MasterChef Dominican Republic to ViX’s Mi Mundo and Disney’s Danna: Tenemos Que Hablar. In 2025, he joined Blue Hummingbird Corp as a full-time producer, continuing to create original series across the U.S. and Latin America.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

What really excites me is getting a front-row seat to what people are creating right now. The Tellys pull in such a wild mix of styles and voices, and it’s fun to see how filmmakers and brands keep reinventing the way we tell stories. And honestly, judging is a great excuse to champion cool work while staying plugged into what audiences are actually responding to.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job in the industry was as a camera op for an orchestra concert. It was a great gig… except I showed up in all black and the backdrop was pure white, so I basically became the most distracting thing on stage. It taught me two things right away: always ask what the environment will look like, and that the small details you don’t think about can matter just as much as the big ones.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

I really respond to content that knows its audience and plays to its strengths. Excellence, to me, is when a piece is the best version of itself while still finding ways to be innovative and surprising within the framework of its medium and its objective. When creators understand the assignment and still push it somewhere fresh, that’s when it stands out.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

Right now I’m a full-time producer at Blue Hummingbird Corp, developing and overseeing original shows for networks across the U.S. and Latin America. My day-to-day is a mix of shaping stories, working with writers and directors, and making sure each project actually comes together the way it should. What I love most is finding something interesting and fun in every kind of genre and project scope. I feel like there’s always a creative challenge to chase, no matter the format.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Right now we’re in the middle of creating two big unscripted shows for a broadcast network, and that’s been incredibly exciting. It’s one thing to have an idea on a board, and another to watch it turn into an actual format with real characters, real stakes, and a real world around it. I’m especially loving the challenge of finding that sweet spot between classic TV moments and the kind of digital-forward integrations that make the show feel fresh and alive today.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I don’t see myself working in any other industry. This is what I love to do.