Workshops & Talks
I offer a wide range of workshops and talks for both adults and younger audiences. From kids drop-in workshops learning how to make Fake News, to making a short improvised collaborative doc on stage in an hour, or just talking about making the jump from film school to freelancing or making short personal docs. To enquire about booking me, please get in touch: info@duncancowles.com
Watch my 13minute NICER TUESDAY talk here.
Some of the organisations I’ve done workshops with:
I’ve presented my workshops/talks at places such as BFI Southbank, D&AD, Nicer Tuesdays, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh College of Art, Screen Academy Scotland, Napier University, Queen Margaret University, Seville Film Festival, VIS Vienna Shorts, Scottish Mental Health & Arts Film Festival, Cromarty Film Festival, Flatpack Film Festival, BFI Film Academy and more…
The ‘Doc in One Hour’ hybrid workshop at Glasgow Youth Film Festival 2021.
Testimonials
“Duncan delivered an excellent session on his experience with filming his family for our audience of emerging filmmakers aged 16 – 25 at BFI Future Film Festival. The session explored Duncan’s approach to film making with an engaging and accessible discussion of his creative process as well as offering advice to the audience on their own projects. As a filmmaker who is constantly producing innovative and emotionally resonant work, Duncan’s talk was a great addition to our programme and a reminder to all young filmmakers to continue challenging themselves as storytellers.”
– Chloe Trayner, BFI Future Film Festival Programmer,
“Duncan Cowles spoke to our students in a way they could understand. Given he is a fairly recent graduate himself, the way he’s found an original voice in his work and used social media so effectively to get his films out there, was really inspiring for them to hear.”
– Emma Davie, Programmer Director, Film, Edinburgh College of Art
“Duncan was a great speaker at the Edinburgh International Film Festival Youth Hub. His passion for documentary combined with clear, practical advice and wealth of experience was invaluable for our participants. We had great feedback at the end of the sessions, and we warmly recommend his talent and expertise. It was a pleasure working with him.”
– Flip Kulakiewicz, Education & Learning Co-ordinator, Edinburgh International Film Festival.
“Duncan’s workshop was a terrific addition to our family programme. Innovative and unlike any other workshop we’d offered before, it has the ability to be either a fun, drop-in event for passers-by with almost instant results, or a more involved, pre-booked workshop for those who want to learn a little more about the process. Always engaging, Duncan has a natural ability with people and made all of the participants at ease, even when they were in the interview chair!”
– Sam Groves, Programmer, Flatpack Film Festival
Duncan was the perfect choice to lead the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival’s workshop on men’s mental health. We wanted something that explored the topic in a refreshing, thoughtful and entertaining way that worked within a film-related context, and Duncan came through just as expected. Not only was I very pleased as the festival’s Film Curator, but I was also thoroughly engrossed as an attendee. All of the comments received afterwards were extremely positive. I wholeheartedly recommend Duncan for engaging educational work.
– Richard Warden, Film Programmer, Scottish Mental Health & Arts Film Festival
Want to chat about booking me for a workshop/talk/event? Fire me an email: info@duncancowles.com