Using his failed attempts at creating profitable stock footage, a filmmaker reflects on the absurd, mundane and funny side of being trapped inside your own head as an out of work, self-employed freelancer.

Taking Stock

The pressures of having to make an amazing film for TED  sent this deadpan, deep-voiced, award-winning filmmaker into a crippling spiral of self-doubt and comic indecision.

It's Not Amazing Enough

Contrasting artistic visions, misplaced confidence and blatant ignorance collide on the backdrop of an increasingly fragile and divided world.

Just Agree Then

Unable to move on from the death of his granny, a filmmaker desperately searches for the right film idea that will finally allow him to let go…

Outlets

Part road trip, part coming-of-middle-age tale, Cowles’ laconic humour and frank approach to his subject proves effective in exploring aspects of masculinity that all too often are little discussed.

Silent Men

That's Your Lot - A very short film about nothing by Duncan Cowles made in an afternoon in late 2023 (largely with the purpose of testing a new camera.)

That's Your Lot

Through distant observation of people walking on desire lines, a filmmaker notices a pattern in peoples tendency to cut corners, and reflects on what this might mean for the future of our planet. Desire Lines are the official name given to the unofficial paths created as a consequence of erosion by human or animal footfall. These paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated route between an origin and destination. What do desire lines say about human nature and our attitude towards the changing climate? Are we doomed to always take the path of least resistance? Or can we still be saved by collectively forging a new path together?

Desire Lines

Fatigue expressed in an endless sea of content.