Gitonga (2020)
Gitonga is Joe's award-winning debut feature film - the beautiful and emotional story of Gitonga Wandai, a Kenyan hiker on a mission to inspire his son, his nation and the world to follow their hearts and dreams.
The film premiered to 1.4 million people in Kenya and received critical and public acclaim. It was described as ‘life-enhancing’ by UK film critic Neil Norman, ‘a film full of optimism that needs to be seen’ by Baz Bamigboye (Daily Mail), and was praised for its “warmth and emotional openness” by Peter Bradshaw (The Guardian). Within Kenya, the Daily Nation described it as 'a heartwarming tale that reads like a novel' and the Kenya Film Commission exclaimed that 'every second of the film oozes inspiration'.
Winner: Best Documentary at Kisima African Music & Film Awards (2020)
Official Selection: Banff International Mountain Film & Book Festival (2020), Kendal Mountain Film Festival (2020), Out of Africa International Film Festival (2020)
Third Wheel (2023)
Official Selection: Fisheye Film Festival (2023)
Who do you reach for when you wake up in the morning? Short film starring Elinor Dixon and Irwin Doyle.
Home Soon (2021)
My partner Ruth and I shot this last Christmas, just a stone’s throw away from my family home in Lancashire. We did so at the height of the December national lockdown - a measure that prevented Ruth, like many others, from going home for the festive period. The starlings’ murmurations, as captured in this film, were the highlight of our days - performances of nature so wonderfully mesmerising that they made you forget what was going on in the world.
Each day, at 3:40pm on the dot, we’d wrap up warm, put on our walking boots and set off down our little lane. We’d turn onto the cobbled path near the family allotment and head east until we reached the horse’s field. There, we would stand, wait and watch. Each evening, together with my mum, my dad, brother and sister, we would watch the starlings come home.
Chris Roe (Composer) - chrisroemusic.com
Joe Bunyan (Director & DOP) - joebunyan.com
The Gitonga 2022 Project - gitonga.org
Osbert (2018)
A young man finds serenity by spending time with his most valued companion.
WINNER - Best Cinematography | Streatham Film Festival 2018 | 48hr Challenge
The London Life (2019)
A young woman struggles to cope with societal pressures and is determined to prove that she lives 'the London life'.
Starring Heather Ashley Rags
Written & Directed by Joe Bunyan
Music by Alex Ellerington
Cinematography by Jackie Teboul
Edited by Sarah Galpin
Sound Design by Alex Ellerington