Filmmaker | Creative Director | Brand Storyteller
I am a director, editor, writer, producer and creative director from California. I have global experience from having lived and worked in New York, London and Cape Town. My latest scripted feature Three Years Gone, starring Julio Macias (On My Block, Selena: The Series), will premiere in 2026. My latest documentary feature, Original Sin: My Son the Killer premiered on Showmax in 2024, and was nominated for Best Documentary at the Venice TV Awards, and is now streaming on Paramount+. My debut feature Sons of the Sea won Best South African Film at the 2021 Durban International Film Festival and was in competition at Urbanworld and the Austin Film Festivals. I am a fellow of the Film Independent 2024 Episodic TV Directing Intensive and alum of the BFI Feature Film Lab.
I began my journey as a film editor, working alongside some of our greatest filmmakers and musicians. That foundation trained me to think structurally, work efficiently, and make strong creative decisions under pressure. Over time, I moved into directing and creative leadership to guide projects end-to-end—from early concept to final delivery. This foundational experience led to editing the Grammy Award winning feature documentary about Tom Petty, Runnin’ Down a Dream and winning a New York Festivals Award for my work on Beyoncé's Sweet Dreams music video. While I cherished shaping narratives in the edit suite, I discovered a deeper drive to lead creative projects from conception to final delivery—directing, producing, and editing to ensure complete creative vision.
My short films have screened at international film festivals and have been exhibited at the Balenciaga Museum in Spain and The Wallace Collection in London.
COMMERCIAL & BRAND WORK
I lead creative across branded content, campaigns, and brand films for global companies including Hermès, Pfizer, Budweiser, Maersk, Nescafé, and Microsoft. I’ve partnered with agencies and in-house teams to develop concepts, direct films, and deliver integrated content across digital, social, and experiential platforms.
I’m a hands-on creative director who can both shape the idea and execute it—directing, producing, and editing when needed. My work spans B2B and B2C across tech, healthcare, lifestyle, and luxury. My patient-focused work for Pfizer’s Living Proof series earned a Webby Honoree for Best Unscripted Branded Content.
EDITOR FEATURES/MUSIC VIDEOS
Kanye West, Beyoncé, The Last Poets, Regina Spektor, Duffy, Anjulie, Danni Harrison/theNewNo2, Tom Petty, Paris Hilton
CONTACT:
COMMERCIALS
UK - Fight Gravity Films | Paul Cheung
SA - Star Films | Adam Thall
PERSONAL
John Gutierrez