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.

Known For

Mr. McMahon 2024 ★ 7.8
American Movie 1999 ★ 7.6
Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult 2026 ★ 7.9
100 Foot Wave 2021 ★ 7.6
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann 2019 ★ 6.4
Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story 2021 ★ 6.2
"Sr." 2022 ★ 6.9
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. 2022 ★ 6.2
WHAM! 2023 ★ 7.3
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond 2017 ★ 7.5
Wilder
Collapse 2009 ★ 7.2
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever 2025 ★ 6.3
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal 2021 ★ 6.8
The Pool 2007 ★ 6.0
DEVO 2024 ★ 7.7