MarkWaters

Biography

Mark Adam Waters is an internationally acclaimed Director and Director of Photography (DOP), known for a distinctive filmmaking style shaped by his love for the planet and deep interest in philosophy, psychology, and the human experience. He began his career in the extreme sports world, documenting top athletes and capturing nature in its raw beauty. This early work laid the foundation for his first feature, The Salt Trail, a multi-award winning film that combined breathtaking visuals with a soulful narrative that inspired wanderlust and introspection. Waters’ reputation grew with Chasing the Present, a deeply immersive documentary exploring the roots of suffering, consciousness, and identity. Featuring voices like Graham Hancock, Rupert Spira, and Joseph Goldstein, and scored by BAFTA nominated composers Ólafur Arnalds and Snorri Hallgrímsson, the film found global success. It was distributed by 1091 Media in 2020 and held top chart positions on Apple TV in the UK, Australia, and the US. His sensitivity as a storyteller continued with Tictoc, a BAFTA longlisted short film about a teenager with Tourette’s Syndrome. The film was screened at top festivals, including Sheffield Doc/Fest, IDFA, and the Edmonton International Film Festival. In his fiction debut, Bring Back My Bonnie, Waters directed acclaimed actor Timothy West in a moving portrayal of grief and dementia. More recently, he served as lead DOP on the HBO Max documentary Battle of Culliancan: Heirs of the Narco, filmed in Mexico over several months. This bold project explored the web of cartel corruption and the generational impact of organized crime, a demanding production that tested both access and courage. Currently 1 on HBO/Max latern america, and 6 in the USA. Upcoming projects include Rice and Sugar, a contemplative documentary about a Tibetan Buddhist monk, entering the festival circuit in late 2025. Waters also contributed as a camera operator on major productions like His Dark Materials (final two blocks).