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. Known for his poetic, human-centered visual storytelling, he has collaborated with global brands such as Adidas, Guinness, Coca-Cola, and Opel.