Director
Chris Smith
Born May 20, 1970 in Rahway, New Jersey, USA18 films
Chris Smith (born in 20 May 1970; Rahway) is an American film documentary director, cameraman, producer, writer, and editor. He is best known for directing American Movie, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
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Smith completed his first film, American Job, while attending the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee's Graduate Film Program. Chris met Mark Borchardt (the subject of American Movie) while editing American Job, and began filming a documentary about the making of Mark's psychological thriller Coven. Both films played at the Sundance Film Festival, and American Movie was bought by Sony Pictures for $1 million.
Chris Smith's directing credits include: Collapse (2009), The Pool (2007), The Yes Men (2003), Home Movie (2001), American Movie (1999), and American Job (1996). He is signed to Smuggler for representation.
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The best way into Chris Smith's work
First watchAmerican Movie19997.6American Movie documents the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and…View filmEssential films
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Filmography
18 films as director- TBAUntitled John Hughes DocumentaryDirector
- 2026WilderDirector
- 2026The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us PartDirector
- 2025Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live ForeverDirector
- 2024Biggest Heist EverDirector
- 2024DEVODirector
- 2023LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2022Director
- 2023WHAM!Director
- 2022"Sr."Director
- 2021Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions ScandalDirector
- 2019FyreDirector
- 2017Jim & Andy: The Great BeyondDirector
- 2009CollapseDirector
- 2007The PoolDirector
- 2003The Yes MenDirector
- 2001Home MovieDirector
- 1999American MovieDirector
- 1996American JobDirector