Billy Pols grew up in South Africa, spending his early years on a farm where he made slasher films with his siblings. After moving to the Netherlands, he trained as an art director but remained focused on film. His skateboarding-inspired documentary Plank won multiple international awards and brought him to the attention of the production industry. Since then, he has earned numerous accolades for his visually striking commercials. Known for his poetic, human-centered visual storytelling, he has collaborated with global brands such as Adidas, Guinness, Coca-Cola, and Opel.