Kansas Bowling

Kansas Bowling was born on August 2, 1996, in Topanga, California. Her parents are Arin Thompson and William Preston Bowling. At the age of 13, she received a Super 8 film camera as a Christmas gift, which marked the beginning of her filmmaking journey alongside her sister. This early exposure to filmmaking led her to direct her first feature film, “B.C. Butcher,” at just 17 years old. The film, starring Kato Kaelin, was shot on 16mm film using funds she earned bussing tables and was later distributed by Troma Entertainment when she was 19. This established her as an emerging talent in the independent film scene.

Throughout her career, Bowling has demonstrated versatility in various aspects of filmmaking. She has directed over 30 music videos for artists, including Iggy Pop, and has also gained recognition for her acting roles in films directed by notable figures such as Quentin Tarantino and Glenn Danzig. Her acting credits include portraying ‘Blue’ in Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” (2019) and appearances in Glenn Danzig’s “Verotika” (2019) and “Death Rider in the House of Vampires” (2021). She has continued to direct and act in features, with her second feature film, “Cuddly Toys,” released in 2022. Bowling has also authored two books with Far West Press: “A Cuddly Toys Companion,” detailing the making of her film, and “Prewritten Letters For Your Convenience,” co-written with her sister. Her work has earned her nominations and awards, including a win for Best Music Video at the LA Live Film Festival for “Headkrack: Violence” (2022).

Her film “Cuddly Toys” (2022) has been described as a “saccharine nightmare” exploring themes of girlhood through a “shockumentary” style, touring the United States theatrically. Other recent acting roles include “Christmas Bloody Christmas” (2022), “The Third Saturday in October Part V” (2022), and “Murdercise” (2023). Bowling maintains an active presence in the film industry, with several upcoming projects as an actress, director, and editor, demonstrating her continued commitment to film creation and performance.