In 1984 Gaumy made his first film "La Boucane", and it was nominated for a César in 1986 for best documentary. He followed it with other film all broadcast by French and European televisions, and winning further awards. In 1986 he made his first trip to Iran during the war, continuing visits there until 1997. His film "Jean-Jacques" (1987) was made during two years chronicling the town of Octeville-sur-Mer, where he lived, through the eyes of Jean-Jacques unjustly considered the "village idiot". His third feature-length film "Marcel, prêtre" (1994) was shot in Raulhac (Auvergne, Cantal) over a period of several years.