Sturla Gunnarsson, an Icelandic-Canadian filmmaker, has built a distinguished career as a director and producer known for his powerful documentaries and feature films that often explore social justice and environmental themes. Born in Reykjavík, Iceland on August 30, 1951, he moved with his parents to Vancouver, British Columbia at the age of seven, an early transition that would shape his cross-cultural perspective. His interest in filmmaking emerged during his youth, leading him to the University of British Columbia, where he completed undergraduate studies in English literature and pursued graduate work in film studies. As part of his graduate program, he produced the film A Day Much Like the Others, which garnered top honors at both the Canadian Student Film Festival and the European Student Film Festival, and was also screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, marking an auspicious start to his career.

After completing his formal education, Gunnarsson moved to Toronto and began working at the National Film Board of Canada. His first project with the NFB, After the Axe, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature, immediately establishing him as a filmmaker of considerable talent. Over the decades, he has amassed an impressive collection of awards, including an Emmy Award, a Genie Award, multiple Gemini Awards, a Prix Italia, and the Prix Villes de Cannes, reflecting the breadth and impact of his work across both documentary and narrative forms. His film Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie, a documentary portrait of the renowned Canadian environmental activist and geneticist David Suzuki, won the People's Choice Documentary Award at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival, further cementing his reputation for creating compelling, socially conscious cinema.

Gunnarsson has also been recognized for his collaborative spirit and dedication to completing important projects. In 2018, he worked alongside film and story editor Nick Hector to finish Sharkwater Extinction following the tragic death of its original director, Rob Stewart, ensuring that Stewart's vital message about shark conservation reached audiences worldwide. Throughout his career, Gunnarsson has demonstrated a consistent commitment to telling stories that matter, whether through intimate character studies or urgent environmental advocacy, and he continues to be a respected and active figure in the Canadian film and television industry.