Documentary + Commercial Director
Ian Cumming is a documentary and commercial director based in Los Angeles. He specializes in cinematic, human-first storytelling for brands — which is more professional way of saying he spends a lot of time convincing real people to cry on camera (with consent). He’s directed campaigns for Leica, the U.S. Navy, Red Bull, John Deere, and others he’d name if this were a pitch deck. Ian’s approach is deeply personal and structured — he keeps the camera close to his subjects to foster intimacy and authenticity, while grounding each piece in a clear, narrative-driven framework. He gravitates towards socially impactful stories, using film to advocate, connect, and spark meaningful reflection. When he’s not directing, he’s probably surfing, playing film scores on the piano, or stress-baking bread that usually turns out fine.
  • Director of Photography (1 Credit)
    Bola2016
    Documentary
  • Editor (1 Credit)
    Bola2016
    Documentary
  • Director (1 Credit)
    Bola2016
    Documentary
Official Selection
Bola
Cinema at the Edge
Santa Monica, CA
Official Selection
Bola
Long Beach Indie Film Festival
Long Beach, CA
Best Documentary Short
Bola
California International Shorts Festival
Los Angeles
Gold Award for Best Documentary Short
Bola
Mindfield Film Festival
Los Angeles
College
Purchase College, SUNY
Cinema Studies
20102014
High School
The New School
Documentary Media Studies
20142015
Current City
Los Angeles, California
Documentary + Commercial Director
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