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Adrian is a double BAFTA award-winning filmmaker named on Screen International’s ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ list. He is a versatile director with over twenty years of experience in drama, documentary, comedy, and television commercials.
The summer of 2024 has seen Adrian direct the additional photography and reshoots for the Outlander prequel Blood of My Blood for Sony/Starz, and the 2nd Unit for the new Jamie Dornan thriller THE UNDERTOW for NETFLIX and Complete Fiction. In 2023, he split his year between directing the hit 4-part thriller series UNDER HER SKIN for Gaumont/Banijay and Channel 5, and directing the 2nd Unit for all six episodes of SAS: ROGUE HEREOS S2 for Kudos/ Banijay.
Prior to this, Adrian spent eight months working as the 2nd Unit Series Director on Lucasfilm’s action-adventure TV follow-up to Ron Howard’s original 80’s movie Willow. He directed drama, action and VFX sequences across all eight episodes of the Disney+ show, also stepping up to direct the main unit during COVID emergencies.
In 2021, Adrian was hired as the lead director on Julia Donaldson’s Princess Mirror-Belle for BBC Studios, directing two episodes of the first season. This is Julia’s first live-action adaptation. During the second Covid lockdown, Adrian directed the Two Doors Down Christmas 2020 comedy special, written by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp and produced by BBC Studios. It screened on primetime BBC2, receiving a number of four and five-star reviews. Before this, he directed the reshoots and Second Unit for the
BAFTA Nominated BBC1 submarine thriller Vigil, produced by World Productions and starring Suranne Jones and Martin Compston.
In 2019, Adrian directed the 2nd Unit on the Sony and Starz drama series Outlander – directing across all twelve episodes in season 5, including the epic battle sequences in Ep 507 for director Stephen Woolfenden. Following this, he was hired by Archery Pictures to direct the re-shoots and 2nd unit for the young adult NETFLIX drama Fate – The Winx Saga created by Brian Young (Vampire Diaries). The show launched on the 22nd of January 2021 and has maintained the NETFLIX number-one spot worldwide for over a week. In 2018, Adrian was hired as the Lead Director of two major shows for Jane Roots’ Nutopia. The six-part NETFLIX series The Last Czars, chronicling the demise of the Romanov dynasty – which streamed to over 25 million viewers in the first few weeks and featured on the NETFLIX Top 5 list in the U.S., and Jesus: His Life, an eight-part event series commissioned by A+E Networks for The History Channel. It sold to all territories worldwide.
In 2018, AMAZON PRIME launched Adrian’s four-part documentary series Grand Prix Driver, with unprecedented access to the legendary Formula One team McLaren and their superstar drivers – including two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso – during their most turbulent pre-season in recent history. Academy Award Winner Michael Douglas narrates the show.
Adrian’s passion is to tell unique human stories in a visceral, cinematic and intimate fashion.
Credits
Credits
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DateProduction (role)CompanyProject details
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Date: 2024Production (role): THE UNDERTOWCompany: NetflixProject details: 2nd Unit Director
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Date: 2024Production (role): OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOODCompany: STARZProject details: 2nd Unit Director
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Date: 2023Production (role): SAS ROGUE HEROES 2Company: KudosProject details: 2nd Unit Director on eps 2-6
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Date: 2023Production (role): FOR HER SINSCompany: Gaumont/C5Project details: Lead Director
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Date: 2023Production (role): TITANSCompany: DCProject details: 2nd Unit Director S4 Ep 9
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Date: 2022Production (role): WILLOWCompany: Lucasfilm / Disney+Project details: 2nd Unit Director & Main Unit Standby Director
Episodes 1 - 8 -
Date: 2021Production (role): PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLECompany: BBC Studios/CBBCProject details: Lead Director
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Date: 2021Production (role): TWO DOORS DOWNCompany: BBCProject details: Director
Christmas Special -
Date: 2021Production (role): VIGILCompany: World Productions / BBC1Project details: 2nd Unit Director & Reshoots
Episodes 1 - 6 -
Date: 2021Production (role): FATE: THE WINX SAGACompany: Archery Pictures // NetflixProject details: 2nd Unit Director & Reshoots
Episodes 1 - 6 -
Date: 2020Production (role): OUTLANDERCompany: StarzProject details: 2nd Unit Director & Reshoots
Season 3, Season 5 -
Date: 2018Production (role): JESUS: HIS LIFECompany: Nutopia / History Channel / A&EProject details: Lead Director
Ep 1 - 3 -
Date: 2018Production (role): THE LAST CZARSCompany: Nutopia / NetflixProject details: Lead Director
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Date: 2018Production (role): GRAND PRIX DRIVER (Director)Company: Amazon StudiosProject details: 4 x 30' Documentary Series
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Date: 2015-16Production (role): EVE (Lead Director)Company: CBBC / Leopard Drama (Series 1)Project details: 5 x 30 minute sci-fi drama, first five episodes
As the lead director Adrian was involved with the early development of the show establishing the show style, tone and casting
Aired in January and sold internationally to HBO
The second series will shoot this summer -
Date: 2014-15Production (role): RIVER CITYCompany: BBC 1 ScotlandProject details: Returning Drama
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Date: 2012-13Production (role): RIVER CITYCompany: BBC 1 ScotlandProject details: 6 x 60 minutes returning drama
BBC Scotland’s primetime soap, has over recent years morphed in to a hybrid one hour weekly returning drama. Since the change Adrian has established himself as one of the core series directors -
Date: 2012-13Production (role): EVE (Lead Director)Company: BBC 1 ScotlandProject details: 3 x 6 minute show tasters
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Date: 2012-13Production (role): MI HIGH (Series Director)Company: CBBC / KudosProject details: 4 x 30 minute children's drama
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Date: 2010-11Production (role): THE REAL HUSTLE (Series Director)Company: BBC 3 / Objective ProdProject details: 10 x 30 minutes hidden camera
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Date: 2010-11Production (role): SAME SMILE (Series Director)Company: BBC CbeebiesProject details: 8 x 15 minutes children's series
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Date: 2010-11Production (role): SAME SMILE (Lead Director)Company: BBC CbeebiesProject details: 7 x 15 minutes children's series
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Date: 2008-09Production (role): TAGGARTCompany: ITV Drama / SMG (Episode 96 & Episode 101)Project details: 2 x 60 minutes
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Date: 2008-09Production (role): THE DEPARTMENTCompany: SMGProject details: Show Bible
By Adrian McDowall and Simon Stephanson -
Date: 2007Production (role): MYSELF ONLY MORE SOCompany: BBC ChildrensProject details: 1 x 15 minutes comedy / drama
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DateProduction (role)CompanyProject details
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Date: 2014Production (role): INSANE FIGHT CLUB (Producer / Director / Camera)Company: BBC 1 / BBC 3 / IWC / ZodiacProject details: 1 x 60 minutes
Entertainment documentary exploring the emergence of the underground wrestling scene in Glasgow
It premièred on BBC 1 to both critical and public acclaim, trending at number one in the UK and launching the career of the breakout star GRADO
The film sold to American Netflix
Nominated for Royal Television Society Scotland Award for Best Single Documentary -
Date: 2010-11Production (role): CUTTING LOOSE (Co-Director / Co-Producer)Company: BBC Scotland / UKFCProject details: 30 minutes
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Date: 2010-11Production (role): TUNNOCKSCompany: STVProject details: 10 minutes
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Date: 2008-09Production (role): MA BAR (Co-Director / Co-Producer)Company: D&G Public ArtProject details: 1 x 12 minutes
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Date: 2008-09Production (role): SLICE (Co-Director / Co-Producer)Company: D&G Public ArtProject details:
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Date: 2007Production (role): STANDING START (Co-Director / Co-Producer)Company: Cycling ScotlandProject details: 1 x 12 minutes
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DateProduction (role)CompanyProject details
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Date: 2012-13Production (role): FOUNDCompany: BBC 2 / EBU / Feelgood FictionProject details: 15 minute pilot
Wr. Sanjeev Kohli
Prod. Lawrence Bowen
The story revolves around a young Sikh boy who retreats into his imagination whilst struggling to fit in at a new school
Nominated for a BAFTA Children’s Award -
Date: 2012-13Production (role): GUTPUNCHCompany: Escape Films / BFIProject details: 30 minute comedy-drama
Commissioned by the BFI and Lighthouse, is a new leftfield comedy
Wr. Andrew Yerlett
Prod. Michelle Eastwood
Starring Rufus Jones (W1A), Justin Edwards (The Thick of It) and Christian Lees (The Tale of Tales)
Nominated for Best Short film at the Huston International Comedy Festival -
Date: 1999-04Production (role): HEADBANGERS (Writer / Director / Producer)Company: TOPMANProject details: Comedy drama
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Date: 1999-04Production (role): WISE GUYSCompany: BBC TartanProject details: 1 x 10 minutes comedy drama
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Date: 1999-04Production (role): THE TOON FAIR (Writer / Director / Excutive Producer)Company: CineworksProject details: 19 minutes comedy
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Date: 1999-04Production (role): WHO'S MY FAVOURITE GIRL? (Writer / Director / Executive Producer)Company: ECA / Imagine PicturesProject details: 15 minutes comedy
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DateProduction (role)CompanyProject details
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Date: 2012-13Production (role): SPUNK (Writer / Director)Company: Zentropa / Sigma FilmsProject details: Drama treatment
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Date: 2010-11Production (role): YOU INSTEAD (2nd Unit Director)Company: BBC Films / Sigma FilmsProject details: Dir. D. McKenzie
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Date: 2008-09Production (role): ME AND MA GAL (Co-Director / Co-Producer)Company: Scottish ScreenProject details: Test Scenes - Feature
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Date: 2004-06Production (role): THE NANA SAGA (Co-Writer / Director)Company: Film Four / Slate FilmsProject details: Screenplay
Co-Written by Adrian McDowall and Simon Stephenson
Prod. Vicki Patterson -
Date: 2004-06Production (role): EXCEPT ME AND MY MONKEYCompany:Project details: Wr. Simon Stephenson
Developed by Adrian McDowall
Prod. Damian Jones -
Date: 2004-06Production (role): DEVLINCompany: Scottish ScreenProject details: Wr. Des Dillon
Developed by Adrian McDowall
Prod. Judy Counihan
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DateProduction (role)Company
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Date: 1999-04Production (role): SUMMER JETS (Co-Writer / Director / Executive)Company: Pias
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Production (role)CompanyProject details
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Production (role): GREENER SCOTLAND "Show Bumper"Company: Leith Agency / Scottish Government / STV CreativeProject details: 1 X 15 minutes, 2 x 10 minutes and 1 x 5 minutes
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Production (role): ADULT PROTECTIONCompany: STV Creative / Scottish CouncilsProject details: 1 X 60 minutes and 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): EARLY YEARSCompany: Leith Agency / Scottish Government / STV CreativeProject details: 9 X 40 minutes
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Production (role): MENTOS "Show Bumpers"Company: STV CreativeProject details: 2 x 20 minutes, 6 x 10 minutes and 2 x 5 minutes
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Production (role): TRUST DEED "Stuart"Company: New Tommorow / STV Creative / PetrusProject details: 2 X 60 minutes and 2 x 10 minutes
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Production (role): TRUST DEED "Mary"Company: New Tommorow / STV Creative / PetrusProject details: 1 X 60 minutes and 2 x 10 minutes
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Production (role): BINGO MOODCompany: Bingomood.com / STV CreativeProject details: 1 X 40 minutes, 3 x 20 minutes and 5 x 10 minutes
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Production (role): SCOTTISH AD AWARDS PROMO "Heist"Company: The Drum / LucidProject details: 1 x 60 minutes
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Production (role): MAGIC JARSCompany: Waste Aware Grampian / Lucid / Campaign HQProject details: 1 x 40 minutes
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Production (role): HAMMOCKCompany: Waste Aware Grampian / Plum / Campaign HQProject details: 1 x 40 minutes
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Production (role): TOPIARY DOGCompany: Waste Aware Grampian / Plum / Campaign HQProject details: 1 x 40 minutes
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Production (role): YAPPY DOGCompany: Waste Aware Grampian / Plum / Campaign HQProject details: 1 x 40 minutes
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Production (role): BRIDGESCompany: Bridges Shopping Centre / Plum / MTRProject details: 2 X 20 minutes
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Production (role): CARNIVALCompany: IRN BRU & SECC Carnival / Plum / Alan O’ HaganProject details: 1 X 30 minutes
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Production (role): MCDONALDS “Kids – Wallchart”Company: McDonalds / Sunday Mail / Plum / Frame CProject details: 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): MCBLAINECompany: Sunday Mail / Plum / Frame CProject details: 1 x 30 minutes, 2 x 20 minutes and 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): CHAIRSCompany: Scotrail / Plum / The UnionProject details: 1 X 20 minutes and 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): CHANGE TOPCompany: Newcastle United F.C / Plum / CravensProject details: 1 X 20 minutes
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Production (role): BLUE BINSCompany: Waste Aware Fife / Plum / Ten AlpsProject details: 1 x 40 minutes
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Production (role): BEANS RECYCLECompany: Waste Aware Grampian / Plum / Ten AlpsProject details: 1 X 40 minutes and 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): IAIN AND ANGUSCompany: Inverness Airport / Plum / Frame CProject details: 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): SLIMMING CALENDARCompany: Sunday Mail / Plum / Frame CProject details: 1 x 20 minutes
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Production (role): FRANK MCAVENNIECompany: Sunday Mail / Plum / Frame CProject details: 2 x 30 minutes biog serial
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Production (role): RELATIONSHIPSCompany: Sunday Mail / Plum / Frame CProject details: 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): PHOTO BOOTHCompany: Forth1 Radio / Plum / ColtasProject details: 1 x 20 minutes and 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): SILLY STRINGCompany: Forth1 Radio / Plum / ColtasProject details: 1 x 20 minutes and 1 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): SAVERS 1Company: Savers / Plum / ColtasProject details: 1x30 minutes and 3x10 minutes
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Production (role): SAVERS 2Company: Savers / Plum / ColtasProject details: 1 x 30 minutes and 3 x 10 minutes
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Production (role): TAYTO ROUGH-CUTSCompany: Tayto Crisps / Plum / Fire IMC BelfastProject details: 2 x 20 minutes and 8 x 10 minutes
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Production (role): DAILY RECORD "Generics"Company: Daily Record / Coltas / Picardy TVProject details: 2 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): ROSES AWARDS PROMOCompany: Roses Awards / Plum / The UnionProject details: 2 x 2 minutes
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Production (role): HEROCompany: Daily Record / Picardy / ColtasProject details: 2 x 30 minutes
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Production (role): VEHICLE CRIME PREVENTIONCompany: UK Government / Outsider LondonProject details: 2 x 60 minutes
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Production (role)Project details
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Production (role): BAFTA AwardProject details: Winner of Best Short Film
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Production (role): BAFTA Award (Scotland)Project details: Winner of Best Short Film
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Production (role): BAFTA Children's AwardProject details: Primary Education Best Film Nominee
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Production (role): Royal Television SocietyProject details: Winner of Best Non Factual Short
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Production (role): Royal Television Society (Scotland)Project details: Best Single Documentary Nominee (pending)
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Production (role): Sundance Film Festival (US)Project details: Shortlisted for Best International Short Film
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Production (role): World Cinema Eye Honors 2013Project details: Best Documentary Short Film Nominee
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Production (role): Houston International Comedy Film FestivalProject details: Best Comedy Short Nominee
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Production (role): Flickerfest International Film FestivalProject details: Winner of Best Short Film
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Production (role): BBC British Short Film FestivalProject details: Winner of UCI Grand Prize, Best British Film
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Production (role): Grierson Bloomberg AwardProject details: Shortlisted for Best Documentary Newcomer
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Production (role): Encounters International Film FestivalProject details: Winner of Best Documentary Film
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Production (role): Rutger Hauer - I've Seen Films FestivalProject details: Special Commendation
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Production (role): River Run International Film FestivalProject details: Best Documentary Film
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Production (role): Indy International Film Festival (US)Project details: Winner of Best Documentary Film
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Production (role): Asterfest International Film FestivalProject details: Winner of Best Documentary Film
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Production (role): Doc NZ Film FestivalProject details: Best International Documentary Short Nominee
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Production (role): San Joaquin International Film FestivalProject details: Best Experimental Film Nominee
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Production (role): Reykjavik International Film FestivalProject details: Golden Egg Special Commendation
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Production (role): Rutger Hauer’s - I’ve Seen Films FestivalProject details: Special Acknowledgement
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Production (role): Edinburgh International Film FestivalProject details: Best of The Fest
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Production (role): Gijon International Film FestivalProject details: Best International Short Film
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Production (role): Cork International Film FestivalProject details: Audience Award Best Short
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Production (role): Hamptons International Film FestivalProject details: Winner of Best Short
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Production (role): Berlin Prix Europa TV & Film FestivalProject details: Encouragement Award
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Production (role): Slovakia Mediawave Film FestivalProject details: Winner Best Short Film
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Production (role): Gijon International Film FestivalProject details: Best Short Film Nominee
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Production (role): Scottish Students on ScreenProject details: Winner of Best Short Drama
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Production (role): Jim Poole AwardProject details: Winner of Best Short Film
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Production (role): Blue Door FestivalProject details: Winner of Best Short Film & Audience Award
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Production (role): ETMA AwardsProject details: Winner Best Short Drama, Best Production & Best Cinematography
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Production (role): Roses Advertising AwardsProject details: Winner Gold Award Best 30 sec AD
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Production (role): Roses Advertising AwardsProject details: Winner Gold Award Best 20k AD
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Production (role): Scottish Advertising AwardsProject details: Winner Best AD under 20k
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Production (role): Scottish Advertising AwardsProject details: Winner Best 30 second AD
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Production (role): Scottish Advertising AwardsProject details: Special Commendation 60sec AD
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Production (role): Green Advertising AwardProject details: Winner Best AD under 100k
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Production (role): Green Advertising AwardProject details: Best AD under 100k Nominee
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Production (role): XFMProject details: Music Video of The Year Nominee