Ian Waugh is a writer, director and artist. His films focus on flawed and haunted characters in an unpredictable world, with contemplative stories reflected within fragile wild landscapes.

He is an alumnus of Berlinale Talents, EIFF Talent Lab Connects, and the flagship development programme BFI Network@LFF as an artist disrupting conventions with international focus and ambition.

Born and raised in North East England, he studied Photography & Film at Edinburgh Napier and Advanced Film Practice at Screen Academy Scotland. His graduation drama Leaves premiered in competition for Best UK First Feature at London’s East End Film Festival; his short films have played at festivals such as Edinburgh, Drama, Stockholm, Busan and BFI London.

His short drama As He Lay Falling was backed by Creative Scotland and premiered in competition at Edinburgh. It screened at 30 international festivals, winning the Directors’ Jury Award at Soria and Special Mentions at Reykjavík and ISFF Cyprus. As He Lay Falling is being developed into a feature film with support from Screen Scotland and the BFI Network.

Waugh works with photography to explore emotional landscapes and the psychological experience of place. He has exhibited at home and abroad, received numerous bursaries, and made work in residencies in Iceland, Finland, Germany and Scotland. His ongoing series The Cleared Country is supported by Creative Scotland and being developed into a book.