Cosima Spender
London-based director Cosima, is an NFTS Documentary filmmaking graduate. Cosima has made three films for BBC Storyville including La Dolce Vita Africana, the Importance of Being Elegant and Without Gorky, about her grandfather abstract expressionist Arshile Gorky. Available on Netflix.
Palio, Cosima’s latest feature, won best documentary Editing at Tribeca Film festival and was nominated for a BIFA. In 2019 Cosima made a 25 min film, Phyllida, about Sculptor Phyllida Barlow with Hauser & Wirth and Third Channel.

Hauser & Wirth - Phyllida
Filmed in London over four months in the run-up to Phyllida Barlow’s solo show ‘cul-de-sac’ at the Royal Academy, the artist reveals that her subject is hard-won through the process.
Director:
Cosima Spender
Producer:
Dorothea Gibbs, Cosima Spender, Valerio Bonelli
Production Company:
Third Channel & Peacock Pictures
Editor:
Manuela Lupini
DP:
Krzysztof Trojnar
Production Manager:
Nick Middleton
Composer:
Tara Creme
Sound Design:
Rob Szeliga

Palio - A Feature length Documentary
Twice a year, the Italian city of Siena hosts the oldest horse race in the world: the Palio. This documentary follows two rival jockeys as they prepare to compete in the dangerous but lucrative race.
Directed by
Cosima Spender
Written by
John Hunt
Cosima Spender
Produced by
James Gay-Rees producer
John Hunt producer
Francesco Melzi d’Eril executive producer
Music by
Alex Heffes
Cinematography by
Stuart Bentley
Film Editing by
Valerio Bonelli
Production Management
Raquel Alvarez production manager
Daniele Di Biasi production manager: Palio Shooting
Katherine Evans production manager
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Francesca Polic Greco first assistant director: Palio Shooting
Sound Department
Emanuele Costantini production sound mixer (second unit) / sound editor: additional
Giancarlo Dellapina sound
Jennie Evans dialogue editor
Gareth Rhys Jones foley artist
Emmet O’Donnell sound editor
Julien Pirrie foley mixer
Danton Tanimura sound editor

Life and Death on Exmoor
A contemplative portrait of a stag hunting community during its last days, shot on 16mm film.
Directed by Cosima Spender
Cinematography by Natasha Braier and Sebastian Serraute
Produced by the National Film and Television School