Filmography | Gavin Searle

Significant Films

Find out more about some of the projects I’ve worked on — a filmography spanning more than a quarter of a century, across rainforests, deserts, mountains and cities.

These films explore conflict, environment, survival and human resilience, with stories drawn from some of the world’s most remote and complex places.

Many have won major awards — each has offered a window into lives and landscapes often hidden from view.

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South Sudan's Poisoned Floods

Life at 50°C: Water Crisis, investigates the most severe aspects of climate change in some of the hottest parts of the world where demand for water is already high.
South Sudan is on the frontline of climate change. Extreme flooding has affected hundreds of thousands. Bentiu camp for displaced people is home to 140,000 and has been surrounded by water for close to five years. Now, the BBC has been shown evidence that the flood water may harbour yet another threat to the region's vulnerable inhabitants - pollution from the country's oil industry.
Gabon, Earth's Last Chance

In the heart of the Congo Basin, this small African nation, cloaked in vast rainforest, holds the future of the planet in its hands.
With 88% of the country covered in rainforest, Gabon is one of only a handful of countries that suck up more CO2 than they produce. If it's felled, an estimated 100 million climate refugees will be created. Charged with the task of managing the forests and getting the world to pay its dues, is Environment Minister, Lee White from Manchester.
Life at 50 Degrees C

As climate change intensifies, many communities across the world now face temperatures in excess of 50 degrees C.
Many communities across the world now regularily face temperatures in excess of 50 degrees C. Stories from Africa include; Nigeria - gas flaring in Delta and the search for water with the well-diggers of Abuja. In Mauritania - The desert burying the town of Chinquetti and in Zourat, a 650km migration to the coast by iron ore train.
Prince Philip: God Of Our Island

On the pacific island of Tanna, Prince Phillip is worshipped as a god.
On the south pacific island of Tanna, Prince Phillip is worshipped as a god. In an attempt to reveal the greatest prophecy ever, a band of emissaries embark on a journey to piece together His true story. Produced by Keo Films for Channel 4. See Clip
Broke

Ten years of living under austerity has reshaped the social landscape of Britain.
Ten long years of living under austerity has radically reshaped the social landscape of Britain. Filmed across the UK, this series looks at the practical and emotional costs of making ends meet. Produced by Keo Films for BBC2.
My Year with the Tribe

Will Millard spends a dramatic year in West Papua with the Korowai tribe
Will Millard spends a dramatic year in the rainforests of West Papua with the Korowai tribe to experience first hand a tribal society in transition. Produced by Keo Films for BBC2. See Clip
Millennium Children

Fifteen years on from setting up of the Millennium Goals, how far have we come?
Fifteen years on from setting up of the Millennium Goals, how far have we come? Growing up in some of the toughest places on the planet through the eyes of young people. Produced by Keo Films for BBC1.
I Bought A Rainforest

Wildlife photographer Charlie Hamilton James buys 100 acres of Peruvian rainforest.
Wildlife photographer Charlie Hamilton James buys 100 acres of Peruvian rainforest and learns (the hard way) that solving poverty is key to saving the rainforest. Produced by Keo Films for BBC2. See Clip
Arctic

Bruce Parry visits the remote Sakha Republic and Eveny reindeer herders in Siberia.
Bruce Parry visits the remote Sakha Republic and Eveny reindeer herders in Siberia to explore how the collapse of communism has affected their lives. Produced by Indus Films for BBC2. See Clip
Welcome to Lagos

Life inside the slums of Lagos, Nigeria. How to survive, prosper and triumph.
Life inside the slums of Lagos, Nigeria. How to survive, prosper and triumph in one of Africa's fastest growing megacities. Produced by Keo Films for BBC2. See Clip
Fish: A Japanese Obsession

Understanding the Japanese through their intense relationship with fish.
A feature length journey through the diverse landscapes of Japan exploring the intense relationship between the Japanese and fish. Presented by Charles Rangeley Wilson. Produced by Keo Films for BBC4 – Japan Season. See Clip
Bobski the Builder

British and Polish builders. Two back extensions, two very different outcomes.
Two back extensions, two very different outcomes. An observational film looking at the different cultural approaches to work and workmanship between one group of British and Polish builders. Produced by Princess Productions for Channel 4 - Cutting Edge. See Clip
Meet the Natives

A band of south pacific islanders come in search of their god, Prince Phillip.
A charismatic band of south pacific islanders come in search of their god, Prince Phillip and end up doing the reverse anthropology on the British working, middle and upper class. Produced by Keo Films for Channel 4. See Clip
Tribe

Bruce Parry visits the Layaps of Bhutan and the Penan hunter gatherers of Sarawak, Borneo.
Two films in the popular anthropology series, Tribe, following presenter Bruce Parry to remote tribal communities. Bruce spends time with the Layaps of Bhutan (Himalayas) and the Penan hunter gatherers of Sarawak, Borneo. Produced by BBC Wales. See Clip
Jungle Hooks Himalayas

Adventure fisherman Jeremy Wade travels to the Himalayas in search of the legendary golden masheer.
Adventure fisherman Jeremy Wade travels to the Indian Himalayas to catch the legendary golden masheer armed only with a few old books and a greenheart rod. Set up own company, Chromis Films, to produce series for Discovery Europe.
Jungle Hooks Amazon

Adventure fisherman, Jeremy Wade heads into the Amazon in search of the giant arapaima fish.
Adventure fisherman, Jeremy Wade heads deep into the Amazon on the trail of the giant arapaima fish. Enroute to his quarry, he survives a plane crash into the jungle. Produced by Carlton TV for Discovery Europe. See Clip
The Real Bravo 2 Zero

Michael Asher goes in search of the truth behind the failed Bravo 2 Zero mission in Saddam's Iraq.
Shot in Saddam's Iraq, Michael Asher goes in search of the truth behind the failed SAS Bravo 2 Zero patrol behind enemy lines during the 1st Gulf War. Produced by Fulcrum TV for Channel 4's To the Ends of the Earth. See Clip
Jungle Trip

Mind-bending, plant collecting mission to Amazonia that goes belly up.
Mind-bending plant collecting mission to Amazonia with Piers Gibbon that samples the hallucinatory delights of the region. From Frog venom to ayahuasca, it's a trip with no let up on the road to shamanic redemption. Produced by Keo Films for Channel 4, To the Ends of the Earth strand. See Clip
Welcome to Norfolk to Mr. Griffin

A 64 year old woman invites her 35 year old boyfriend from St. Kitts to a taste of rural Norfolk.
The life affirming tale of a sixty- four year old woman who invites her thirty-five year old, one-legged, shell-diver boyfriend from the island of St. Kitts to a somewhat less tropical Norfolk. Produced by Mosaic Films for BBC 2.
Ciao Brenda Ciao

The relationship between two gay men as they explore life, art and death in the time of AIDS.
Observational documentary following the relationship between two gay men as they negotiate the fine line between life, art and death in the time of AIDS. Post-production by North West Arts.

Other Classics…

Last Leg Down Under (2015-16) Two x 60 min film with Channel 4's Last Leg Comedians, Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker as they make a 4000km road trip in search of the b-side to Australia. Produced by True North and Open Mic for Channel 4 (Role: Director).

How Straight Am I? (2014-15) One x 60 min film with Tyger Drew Honey as he embarks on a personal journey to discover the new 'non-defined' sexuality of the 21st Century. Produced by Roughcut TV for BBC3 (Role: Director/Camera).

The Big Decision (2012-13) One x 60 min film with Jimmy Doherty as he helps disability charity, Papworth Trust win £2 million from Big Lottery Fund. Produced by RDF TV for Channel 4. (Role: Producer/Director).

Secret Millionaire (2012) One x 60 min film following eclectic millionaire, Bobby Dudani as he travels to riot hit Croydon. Produced by RDF TV for Channel 4. (Role: Producer/Director)

Street Dance (2011) 1x 60min, 1x 90 min documentary films exploring the vivid history of Street Dance in the UK. Produced by FreshOne TV for Channel 4. (Role: Series Director/Camera).

Allergic to Everything (2004-2005) One x 60 min Observational documentary investigating the world of extreme allergies and how it effects lives. Produced by Cicada Films for Channel 4. (Role: Co-Producer/Director/Camera).

Road Trip (2003-2004) One x 60 min road movie following the exploits of six disabled people in a red double-decker bus as they travel the length of the U.K. causing havoc as a D.I.Y news crew. Produced by Keo Films for Channel 4. (Role: Director/Camera).

Spoilt Rotten (2003) One x 60 min documentary looking at the increasingly consumerist world of the pre-teens. Produced by Yorkshire TV for ITV1 network. Viewing figures 8.2 million. (Role: Director).

Would Like To Meet (2001-2002) Two x 60 min documentaries (2nd series) following dating hopeful on a six week crash course to romance. Produced by Talkback Productions for BBC2. (Role: Producer/Director).

Return to Fantasy Island (2000) Six x 30 min series on club life in Agia Napa, Cyprus. Produced by Keo Films for Channel 4, multi-cultural. (Role: Director/Camera for three programmes).

Can You Live Without Television (2000) One x 30 min programme focusing on a family going without their life support system for three weeks. Produced by Fulcrum TV for Channel 4 Series, Can You Live Without. (Role: Producer/Director/Camera).

Fantasy Island (1999-2000) Six x 30 min series on club life in Agia Napa, Cyprus. Produced by Keo Films for Channel 4, multi-cultural. (Role: Director/Camera for three programmes).

E Kali Zoe (1995-1996) One x 30 min lively and informative documentaries about culture on Paxos, Greece. E Kali Zoe: was short- listed RTS (North West) award - Best non-broadcast programme, 1997. (Role: Camera/Producer). See Nominations & Awards.