GAZELLE GAIGNAIRE
Born in Paris and raised in Los Angeles, Gazelle graduated cum laude from UCLA in mass media and political science. She began her career at the European Television Center based in Hollywood, where she worked as a field producer and director on news reports, shows and documentaries covering mostly topics linked to the entertainment industry and destined for French broadcasters (France 2, CANAL+, TF1).
excerpts of CinéCinéma stories
In 1999 she directed “On the Medical Frontlines” for the New York office of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). This fundraising film led her to join MSF and “go to the field” as a Communications Officer.
While based in Pristina, Kosovo, and then in Moscow covering ten countries of the Former Soviet Union, Gazelle wrote extensively for donors and the general public, organised media events and developed communication strategies on issues ranging from human rights violations in Chechnya to a tuberculosis epidemic in Siberian prisons.
During her missions in Afghanistan and West Africa, she functioned as a mobile “inside-reporter” for MSF, gathering information from a variety of sources — from local refugees to foreign diplomats – and drawing analyses that sharpened MSF’s understanding of the complex environments its medical teams were navigating.
The “road” to Taloqan, Afghanistan, 2001 – photo by Gazelle
After settling down in Belgium to start a family, Gazelle left MSF and in 2006 joined the company MCI as a marketing and communications manager. Working closely with in-house graphics and web designers, she created a brand identity for World Kidney Day and liaised with more than 150 organisations in 66 countries to help raise awareness about the prevention of kidney disease.
World Kidney Day, 2007
In 2010 Gazelle began freelancing as an audiovisual director and producer. The first project she worked on – a short film on sustainability entitled “Who Cares Wins”– was shown at the United Nations headquarters in New York, during the opening of the Global Compact Leaders Summit.
Since then, Gazelle has expanded her services and client base, producing mainly short promotional videos across a wide range of topics. She often handles every stage of production independently — from research and scripting through filming, editing, graphics, animations, voice-overs, and subtitles.
Her main passion lies in exploring complex and sensitive social issues and shining a spotlight on individuals who, deeply immersed in current events, are innovating and driving a change in mindsets and behaviours.
Directing a half hour documentary commissioned by MSF in 2017 deepened her resolve to create a feature-length film on a challenging topic of her own choosing. A few years later she discovered human composting and began “Compost Me”. Finalised in mid-2024, it has since reached audiences across Europe.
Screening of “Compost Me” and debate at the Rumine Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland, 2025
SERVICES
Gazelle Gaignaire works on commission across:
- in-depth research
- positioning
- writing
- branding
- advocacy
- campaigning
- end-to-end film production
She combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution at every stage of a project. A brief conversation – in English, French or Spanish – is the best way to get a sense for what she can bring. Early-stage ideas welcome.
