Kelly Smith, born September 13, 1972, is a British director, producer, and screenwriter with a passion for genre cinema. He pursued his passion at the University of Reading, where he earned a BA in Film & Drama. During his time at the university, Smith wrote and directed the horror-Western short film Cold Wood, which won several prestigious awards, including the British Amateur Video Award and the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers' Youth Trophy and International Award.
Smith's collaboration with fellow graduate and director Julien Magnat resulted in the fantasy-action short film The All-New Adventures of Chastity Blade, starring Lisa Wilcox. The film was nominated for a Student Academy Award, further solidifying Smith's reputation as a talented filmmaker.
In the 2000s, Smith worked as an editor on several feature films, including The History Boys, The Queen, and In Bruges. He reunited with Magnat as an additional screenwriter for the high-concept psychological thriller Faces in the Crowd, starring Milla Jovovich, Julian McMahon, and Marianne Faithfull.
Smith's debut feature film as a director was Don't Let Him In, a retro-style rural slasher starring Sophie Linfield and Sam Hazeldine. The film was selected to screen at the 22nd Festival of Fantastic Films. More recently, his short psychological thriller Friend was selected to screen at the Romford Horror Film Festival in 2022.
Throughout his career, Smith has demonstrated a keen eye for storytelling and a dedication to his craft, earning him recognition within the film industry.
