Chris Smith

As one of the defining documentary filmmakers of our time, Chris Smith’s films consistently land at the center of the pop culture zeitgeist. Wry, empathetic and wise, he has created a run of landmark documentaries that have redefined the scale and impact of nonfiction storytelling and remain touchstones of American cinema. 

His upcoming docuseries for Apple TV+ chronicles the thrilling and inspiring story of tennis legend Andre Agassi, marking the latest in a career of record-breaking successes. Earlier works cemented his reputation for capturing larger-than-life personalities and events. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened broke non-fiction streaming records, while Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness became a global phenomenon, ranking as Netflix’s most-streamed series at the time. 100 Foot Wave, following big-wave pioneer Garrett McNamara on a decade-long surf mission, aired three seasons on HBO and further showcased Smith’s ability to blend epic spectacle with intimate storytelling. His other notable work includes Branson, Sr., Wham!, DEVO and Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, which won first prize from the Detroit Film Critics Society and earned Emmy and Venice Film Festival nominations. 

Smith’s early breakthroughs came at Sundance where his iconic American Movie won the Documentary Competition and his narrative debut feature The Pool won the Audience Award, each earning glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike. The Pool’s New York premiere was accompanied by a MoMA retrospective of Smith’s other feature work titled Chris Smith: American Original, cementing his position as a director capable of consistently delivering outstanding and emotionally resonant work. 

A master of the documentary form, Smith’s films have earned major industry honors, including multiple Cannes Lions for his commercial filmmaking. He continues to make work that is celebrated for shaping culture and capturing the intricacies and richness of the human experience.