Gwenllian Thurstan is a documentary filmmaker, she recently finished studying an MFA in Creative Documentary at UCL, under the mentorship of filmmaker Sophie Fiennes.

Her first mid-length documentary, Beyond Illusion and Doubt, was shortlisted for The Grierson Award for Best Student Documentary.

Gwen believes nonfiction-based moving image can be a highly effective form of communication. Through her filmmaking practice, in conjunction with observing material reality, she aims to allow space for the immaterial and fictional aspects of existence, whilst also acknowledging the effect of the observation itself.

She is interested in exploring the human experience in her work. Contemplating how our emotions, thoughts and imagination shape our perception of, and projection onto, the more-than-human world and our place within it. In considering an experiential reality through nonfiction-based images, her work hopes to create connection and understanding.

Gwen shoots and edits. She currently works as a Video Editor at the creative agency The Film Farmers. See video work samples here.

Gwen grew up in the countryside of West Wales, studied in Glasgow (BA Filmmaking at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and now lives and works in London.