After directing several documentaries and being active as set designer in a number of films, Gaudino made his feature film debut in 1997 with the experimental drama "Moonspins Between Land and Sea". The film was entered into the main competition at the 54th Venice International Film Festival, winning the Isvema Award and the Pasinetti Award for best film. The film also won the Tiger Award at the 1998 International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Grolla d'oro for best film.