Mark Cousins

Mark Cousins is a distinguished Irish filmmaker, film critic, and programmer, recognized for his impactful contributions to the documentary genre. He gained widespread acclaim for his ambitious 15-hour documentary, "The Story of Film: An Odyssey," released in 2011, which explores the history of cinema in a groundbreaking manner.

Cousins has held various notable academic positions, including being appointed as an Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow in 2013. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Edinburgh in 2007 and the University of Stirling in 2014, reflecting his influence in the field of film studies.

His involvement in the Edinburgh International Film Festival is significant; he served as both a programmer and director from 1996 to 1997 and currently holds the title of Patron. Cousins is also a Board Member of Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival and has participated in prestigious juries, including the Audentia Award jury at the 42nd Göteborg International Film Festival in 2019 and the Official Competition jury at the 53rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2018. Most recently, in 2021, he joined the jury for the BFI London Film Festival, further solidifying his standing as an influential figure in contemporary cinema.