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Bill Cowell, born in Niagara Falls, NY, is a film writer, producer, and director. Raised under the guidance of his grandfather, Charles Martino, a pioneering businessman in Niagara Falls from the 1930s to the late 1960s, Bill was influenced by his grandfather’s ownership of several successful enterprises, including a gas station, motel, tourism centers, a bowling alley, and ABC Billiards—a popular spot frequented by billiards legends like Willie Mosconi and Rudolf Wanderone Jr., known as "Minnesota Fats." Bill’s uncle, Charles Martino Jr., became the youngest ever winner of the New York State Billiards Championship at age 16.
Bill inherited his creativity, artistic talents, and strong business values from his grandfather. After graduating from the School of Hard Knox, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1983. He earned his choice of assignments and was stationed at Yokosuka Chuo, Japan. Bill traveled worldwide aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway, serving as an Aviation Specialist, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (ASE), Parachute Rigger (PR), and Seal Team advocate.
A dedicated martial artist, Bill holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae-Kwon Do, trained under Grand Master Jong Soo Park and the late Tae-Kwon Do founder General Choi Hong Hi.
Bill has received multiple genre awards, including Most Promising Filmmaker and Best Suspense Film at the New York International Film Festival. He has written, produced, and directed several independent films, which were acquired and distributed by Lions Gate Home Entertainment and other companies.
His next project, "The Magic Shoe," attracted interest from stars such as Christopher Walken, Diane Lane, Helen Hunt, and legendary actor James Garner, who was attached to play the role of the grandfather. Unfortunately, due to a decline in Garner’s health, the film was never made.
In 2006, Bill founded the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival, which has grown into one of New York’s most prominent and exciting film festivals. The festival has showcased breakthrough films like The Cake Eaters (2007), Sinner (2007), The Still Life (2006), Cold Ones (2007), and Christina (2010). It has also hosted major celebrities including Robert Redford, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Culp, Tom Holland, Lou Ferrigno, Louis Gossett Jr., Cindy Williams, William Fichtner, Tom Sizemore, Evander Holyfield, and many others.
