BIO
Noel Smyth is an award winning documentary filmmaker and photographer based in the Yarra Valley, Australia. For over 15 years, he has worked as an independent director, producer, cinematographer, editor and photographer.
This chameleon-like approach to visual storytelling has served him well with each new skillset building upon and complementing his understanding and approach to both visual storytelling and the business of filmmaking.
His work as a visual artist is both intimate and dramatic - exploring complex humanistic themes through character driven observational documentaries and stills. Favoring a vérité style and small intimate crews (often just himself, a mic and a camera), he’s able to maximize production budgets and draw out nuanced and moving performances through a disarming and empathetic approach to directing.
In 2019, he received the Doc Edge Film Festival Award for ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Emerging Filmmaker’ for his debut feature documentary about grief - ‘CAMINO SKIES’. In 2022, he released his sophomore feature documentary ‘GLORIAVALE’ - a true crime AUS/NZ co-production about a cult in New Zealand. Selected for the Cannes Marché de Film ‘Docs in Progress’, the film was released in ANZ to critical acclaim.
An advocate for ‘slow filmmaking’, he believes that stories worth telling are worth taking the time to tell right. This sustainable approach to an often cutthroat industry with high burnout rates results in greater stories, better access, more cinematic moments, and happier cast, crew and clients. He’s committed to a creative practice that puts people (both on and behind the camera) before profit.
Although singular in his vision, he’s a staunch advocate for collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Whether it's transparently working with production partners and stakeholders or collaborating with subjects and communities to find respectful and creative ways to share their stories, he’s a joy to work with and delivers on time and on budget.
Authentic change-making stories, atmospheric visuals, and a quiet humor that finds humanity in the darkest moments - these are the things that make him an exciting new voice in the Australian cinema landscape.
When he’s not making films or taking photographs, you’ll find him exploring nature with his cheeky young daughters (Hazel & Wren), his whippet (Tashi) and his partner Kirri-Mae.
He lives, works and creates on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. He acknowledges the land's original storytellers and pays his respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
★★★★
NME - Review of Camino Skies
★★★★
Empire - Review of Camino Skies
★★★★
“An inspiring journey”
Radio Times - Review of Camino Skies
★★★★
“A beautifully crafted film”
Francesca Rudkin, Newstalk - Review of Gloriavale
★★★★
"Lifting the veil on 'New Zealand's secret cult' and its fall from utopian ideal to Animal Farm-esque nightmare, this enlightening, heartrending, rage-inducing documentary follows former members as they battle for justice and reform from the outside. An excellent, powerful primer on the history, controversy and concern surrounding Gloriavale."
James Croot - Stuff.co.nz
★★★★
"Fascinating and well-deserved tribute"
Sandra Hall, The Sydney Morning Herald - Review of Gloriavale
Awards & Recognition
2020 - Australian International Documentary Conference ‘Leading Lights’ Recipient
2019 - Doc Edge Film Festival - Best Director (Winner) - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Doc Edge Film Festival - Best Emerging Filmmaker (Winner) - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Doc Edge Film Festival - Best Feature (Nominated) - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Doc Edge Film Festival - Best Cinematography (Nominated) ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Australian Cinematographers Society VIC & TAS Awards - BRONZE ‘Camino Skies’
2016 - Berlin Fashion Film Festival - Best Concept - ‘Pop’
2016 - Berlin Fashion Film Festival - Best VFX - ‘POP’
2013 - Featured in Capture Magazine’s ‘The Annual 2013’
2012 - Design College Australia - Student Portfolio Award
Film Festivals & Exhibitions
2024 - FIFO International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2023 - Seattle International Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2022 - Brisbane International Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2022 - Adelaide Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2022 - Byron Bay Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2022 - CinefestOz - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2022 - NZ International Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2022 - Cannes Marché de Film ‘Docs in Progress’ - Official Selection - ‘Gloriavale’
2020 - FLIFF Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Portland Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Doc Edge Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Caloundra Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Camino Skies’
2019 - Newport Beach Film festival - Official Selection - ‘Camino Skies’
2017 - VAMFF Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Assemblage in Motion’
2016 - VAMFF Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Pop’
2016 - Berlin Fashion Film Festival - Official Selection - ‘Pop’
2014 - Independent Music Awards Photography Group Exhibition
2013 - ‘Music, Melbourne + Me’ Group Exhibition
2011 - CannesAlso Big Book Group Exhibition
2005 - BIFF Film Festival - Fast Film Finalist - ‘One Hat of Bad Luck’
CLIENTS
CONTACT
Phone +61 404 677 776
Whatsapp +61 404 677 776
Email hello@noel-smyth.com
Instagram @noelsmythfilm