EDWARD MCGOWN

I’m a Grierson-shortlisted director with credits for BBC, Netflix, Sky and Channel 4. I am passionate about making intelligent, sensitive documentaries with memorable characters and cinematic flair.

From shooting with torture victims in Kenya, to filming in some of the world’s most lawless prisons, I bring a strong narrative confidence to all my work and excel at negotiating complex – and often controversial – subject matter, frequently using archive. 

In recent years, I have specialised in high end past tense documentaries, focusing on subjects ranging from contemporary history to true crime. Credits include: ‘The Abercrombie Guys: the Dark Side of Cool’ for BBC1; ‘A Very British Way of Torture’ (★★★★★ – Mail on Sunday); Gods of Snooker for BBC2 (‘a masterpiece’ – New Statesman, Grierson nominee 2021); ‘Diana: the Interview that Shocked the World’ (‘a huge cut above most backward looking royal docs’ – The Guardian); and Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons (Netflix).

I self-shoot to a high standard and also have experience directing large crews with complex grip equipment. I edit produce all my own films.

In addition to my documentary work, I have also worked in commercials and as a drama director. Credits include Hollyoaks (Channel 4) and the horror-comedy feature film, ‘Bachelor Games’, filmed entirely on location in the Andes, Argentina.

Having trained in film direction at Columbia University Film School, New York, I have a passion for the visual image and bring a narrative flair to all my work.