Hi there,

My name is Brent Gundesen & I am a New Zealand/British documentary filmmaker living in London with my wife Sara, son Ollie & daughter India.

As a Self-Shooting Director I have vast experience at a BAFTA Award winning level. Extremely versatile, creating content for streamers (Netflix, Disney+, Apple) & broadcasters (BBC, Channel 4), I've worked across a range of genres including observational, adventure, factual, fact-ent, current affairs & presenter led documentaries. Often managing stories with sensitive & challenging subject matter.

I particularly enjoy gaining friendship & trust with contributors through empathy & warmth, whilst capturing their story with visual flair.

Showreel

A 3'30" minute sample of the variety of documentaries I have filmed over the years.

Featured Work See more

The Greatest Race on Earth (w/t)

A new premium docuseries to sit alongside a feature film around one of the most visceral, exhilarating & unusual events in the motorsport diary, The Isle of Man TT. Created by Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum's production companies in collaboration with the creators of Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive.

Break Point (S1)

A new professional tennis docuseries capturing the 2022 season. Travel alongside some of the world's most talented tennis players as they swing for greatness and Grand Slams through an action-packed season. (creators of Senna, Amy & Formula 1: Drive to Survive).

Race Across The World (S1) - BAFTA Award Winner (2020)

RATW was the BAFTA Award Winner, for Best Constructed Factual Series, 2020. Embedded PD with estranged father & son - Darren & Alex: Race Across the World pits travellers against each other in a challenging 12,000 mile adventure from London to Singapore without taking a single flight. With no modern trappings such as mobile phones they cross continents using whatever mode of transport they can to reach the finish line in the fastest time. (50 days, across 20 countries).

Race Across The World (S2) - BAFTA Award Nominee (2021)

Returning to the series as the Senior Producer/Director. Embedded PD with Mother and Son (Jo and Sam): Adventurers are once again race pit against each other in a challenging new adventure from Mexico City to Ushuaia (Argentina) without taking a single flight. With no modern trappings such as mobile phones they cross the Americas using whatever mode of transport they can to reach the finish line in the fastest time. (50+ days, across 12 countries).

DNA Family Secrets (S3)

Over 26 million of us have taken a DNA test in the past decade. This growing popularity of genetic testing has created worldwide databases that allow us to ask questions previously impossible to answer about our families, ancestry and health. Working with geneticists, genealogists, social workers & doctors, we use the very latest DNA technology to reveal lost heritage, track down missing relatives & detect debilitating diseases before it is too late. Presented by Stacey Dooley.

In the Face of Terror

Gaining access & filming with the families of the victims of the Christchurch, New Zealand terror attacks. A 3-part documentary series, ‘In the Shadow of Terror’ will examine how the threat of terrorism is shaping the world we live in, both on a personal level & institutional level. It will follow people affected by terrorism and also respond to terrorist incidents as they happen.

Ambulance (S2) - BAFTA Award Winner (2018)

Ambulance was the BAFTA Award Winner, for best Factual Series, 2018. An 8-part series with an honest 360-degree snapshot of the daily dilemmas and pressures on the West Midlands Ambulance Service. I varied between Critical Care paramedics, Pre-hospital doctors, Area Service Officers, the Control Room & the Helicopter Emergency Services.

Growing Up Gifted - RTS Award Nomination (2019)

Nominated for RTS Award, 2019 for Most Inspiring Tv Show. Generation Gifted highlights the plight of bright, disadvantaged pupils and the uneven playing field they face compared with wealthier children. The series follows six highly promising 13-year-old children in state schools through their GCSE years to see if they can overcome the challenges of their underprivileged backgrounds.

Win The Wilderness: Alaska

A 6-part documentary series following six British couples as they experience off-grid life in Alaska in a bid to win a claim of land in one of the state’s most remote regions. (BBC2 & Netflix). 6x60mins.