John Gilbert was nominated in 2002 for both an Academy and a BAFTA award for Best Editor for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring.

He has edited a range of feature films including Alison Maclean's Crush, Anna Campion's Loaded, Anthony McCarten's Via Satellite, and was associate editor for Peter Jackson's The Frighteners. He has also edited many documentaries, short films and television dramas.

John Gilbert has twice won a New Zealand Film Award for Best Editor.