Chris Smith

Biography

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. 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.

Directed

1. Fyre (2019) — Director
2. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017) — Director
3. American Movie (1999) — Director
4. Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (2021) — Director
5. Collapse (2009) — Director
6. The Yes Men (2003) — Director
7. WHAM! (2023) — Director
8. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (2019) — Director
9. Mr. McMahon (2024) — Director
10. Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever (2025) — Director
11. "Sr." (2022) — Director
12. Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. (2022) — Director
13. Biggest Heist Ever (2024) — Director
14. 100 Foot Wave (2021) — Director
15. DEVO (2024) — Director
16. The Pool (2007) — Director
17. Hollywood Con Queen (2024) — Director
18. Home Movie (2001) — Director
19. Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult (2026) — Director
20. American Job (1996) — Director
21. Branson (2022) — Director
22. Wilder — Director
23. LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2022 (2023) — Director
24. Untitled John Hughes Documentary — Director
25. LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2024 — Director

Also appeared in

1. "Sr." (2022) — Self