Ian Gabriel was the first director of colour to open an independent, director-owned film production company in South Africa.

Since co-founding Giant Films, Ian Gabriel has been directing award-winning commercials, feature films and television for audiences across the globe.

His debut feature film, Forgiveness, was a Golden Leopard nominee at the 57th Locarno International Film Festival where Ian also earned the Human Rights Award. Following that success, Ian's highly acclaimed next feature film, Four Corners, was South Africa's Official Selection for Best Foreign Film at the 86th Academy Awards, won both Best International Feature and Best Feature at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, and won 6 Golden Horns at the South African Film and Television Awards, including Best Picture.

Ian directed the family crime series, Ludik, starring Arnold Vosloo, which climbed rapidly to the local and international top-ten trend lists on Netflix in 2022, after which he went on to direct the father-son road trip comedy, Runs In The Family, (also for Netflix and starring Ace Bhatti) which will enjoy a 2023 festival run before releasing on Netflix in early 2024.   

Ian recently completed principal photography on Death of a Whistleblower -  starring Noxolo Dlamini and Irshaad Ally - for Known Associates Entertainment, scheduled for release in 2024.  Ian will be preparing for production on Granny Lee a true story ‘disco resistance ‘ drama starring Soli Philander and slated to shoot in March 2024.    Some highlights from Ian's development slate include the historic epic tv series, Sabela Gold, in partnership with Amy Jephta's Nagvlug Films and Joslyn Barne’s Louverture Films, and the feature film project Papwa, the true underdog story of the South African Indian grand slam golfer, with Rafiq Samsoedien producing.

Ian is well known and loved for his iconic work for leading South African brands.  Ian continues to work as a Commercials Director, through his company  Giant Films.

 Ian is a director in good standing at the DGA, is a participant in the DGA Diversity program, and is represented in the USA by Paul Canterna (Seven Summits Film) and Justin Silvera (Silvera Management).