Christopher Downie was born on the 3rd of March in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Elizabeth, an Occupational Therapist, and Gord, a fishmonger. From an early age, Chris demonstrated a vibrant imagination, with his nursery teacher foreseeing a future connection to the arts or theatre. He excelled in art at school and mastered the intricacies of early computing, while also participating in amateur theatre productions.
Chris's fascination with film began at a tender age, with his mother encouraging him to watch current and classic movies. He spent countless hours in front of the television, nurturing his love for cinema. This passion for filmmaking grew, inspiring Chris to explore the possibilities of bringing stories to life on screen. He started with small projects, collaborating with friends to create shorts using a borrowed Hi8 camcorder.
In the mid-2000s, Chris attended Edinburgh College, where he studied film production. Although he did not find the academic aspect of the course appealing, he decided to drop out and continue developing his craft. He would later return to higher education in the 2010s, enrolling in Abertay University's computer arts program.
During his time at Abertay, Chris caught the attention of renowned filmmaker Kevin Smith after producing a series of biopic shorts about his life and work. This led to the production of Chris's first feature-length film, "Shooting Clerks," a biopic about Kevin's early career. The film's production coincided with Chris's final year at university, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity.
Chris graduated with a BA honors degree and completed most of the principal photography for "Shooting Clerks" before its scheduled release in August 2023. He is currently preparing for his next feature, a Scottish exploitation comedy titled "Buggers," which follows two pest controllers battling mutated bugs, rats, and other vermin. Production for "Buggers" is set to commence in early 2024.
