Basement Films was set up by Ben de Pear in 2022 to make extraordinary and memorable films with the worlds best filmmakers and storytellers. Drawing on decades of award winning journalism, we seek to make films that move and change the world. We have now produced 8 documentaries which have won numerous awards including BAFTA, Peabody, Broadcast, Press Gazette British Journalism, One World Media, Amnesty Media, and Rory Peck Impact awards.

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Ben De Pear

Founder and Executive Producer

Ben de Pear worked for over 3 decades at the top of broadcast news, working as the editor of Channel 4 News for over a decade during which time the programme won an unprecedented number of awards, including 4 BAFTAs, 5 International Emmys and scores of RTS and other awards for its coverage of the war in Syria and exposés like "Cambridge Analytica Undercover". He was executive producer of the Oscar Nominated "For Sama" and led the investigations into Sri Lanka's civil war which culminated in "Sri Lanka's Killing Fields".

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Rob Macqueen

Producer and Development Producer

Rob Macqueen joined Basement Films in 2022 to produce our second film Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings. He has developed and produced numerous films for UK and international broadcasters as well as global streamers. He now handles Basement’s development slate alongside producing

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Leah Gowns

Production Manager

Leah Gowns was Employee 001 at Basement Films when it was founded in 2022, having worked with Ben de Pear during his time at Channel 4 News for almost a decade. She has a wealth of experience managing productions and teams across the globe, from organising shoots in war zones to keeping edits in check in Soho.

Jenny Smith

Line Producer

Jenny is Basement Film’s newest hire bringing years of experience managing all kinds of productions; from news and broadcast television to feature documentaries to high-end series for major streamers.