MEET CHAN
"It's an artist's duty to reflect the times in which we live."
- Nina Simone
CHAN C. SMITH (she/her/sis) is a motivated and passionate Director, always looking for new challenges and opportunities. Her passion for film and the arts started at a young age, and she has grown to become a skilled and recognized Director.
Chan is a multi-platform, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and creative storyteller. She is a Director, Cinematographer and Photographer and is currently signed to Tessa Films. Chan is also the owner of Kiliad Films, a black woman-owned production company based in Los Angeles and Chicago.
Her work includes editorial/commercial, narrative, documentary filmmaking, and branded content. With over 13 years of experience, Chan has captured and produced countless projects for brands such as FX Networks, Amazon Studios, Nike Chicago, Parents Magazine, the NBA, and the Biden/Harris campaign. She is committed to exploring unique methods of storytelling, from the inception phase to final deliverables.
Previously, she served as the Multimedia Producer at EBONY and JET Magazines. While there, Chan has directed, captured and produced interviews and cover shoots with high profile celebrities such as Ava DuVernay, Kevin Hart, John Legend, Jurnee Smollett, Chance the Rapper, NBA Stars Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook, and notable public figures including Nikki Giovanni, Van Jones and Sandra Bland’s mother, Geneva Reed-Veal.
Chan C. Smith is passionate about telling stories that are centered around the human experience and the nuances in Black culture in an effort to inspire, inform, and invigorate the masses. Chan can pivot from being a one “Chan” band to directing vast stories with her trusted crew.
Additional Production Experience
2022
Director, "All In Illinois" Campaign, Tessa Films x Illinois Department of Health
Director, Writer, Executive Producer, "Her Voice" Short Film, Kiliad Films
Director, "HIV and the Journey Toward Zero" Documentary, Tessa Films x Chicago Department of Public Health
Director, DP, "Talking Change: Titi Lokei" Audio Network
DP, "WNBA All-Star Weekend 2022" Voltage Management
Director, DP, "Lyft E-Bikes", Hardpin Media
B Camera, "Impact ATL" Reality Show, BET+
DP, "Sketchcism: Mor Laughter Please!" Web Series, B Mor Productions
B Camera, "LOVB Volleyball"
2021
Director, "All In Illinois" Campaign, Tessa Films x Illinois Department of Health
Director, "More Than Just Words" Campaign, Tessa Films x Novartis
Director, "Chicago: Unspoken" Campaign, Tessa Films x Chicago DCASE
Director, "Kings and Queens of Karlov" , Tessa Films x Off The Street Club x OKRP
DP, "Celebrate/Welcome To" Campaign, Target
DP, "InnovCares Grows", Google Play
DP, "American Crime Story: Impeachment" Behind the Scenes EPK, FX Networks
B Camera, Assistant Camera, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark: Special Episode", HBO
2020
Director/DP, "America the Beautiful" campaign video, Joe Biden for President
Director, "Alt_ Chicago", Nike Chicago x Gumbo Media
DP, "Polemicist" Short Film, Lee Golden
2019
B Camera Operator, "My Life" Mary J. Blige Documentary, Amazon Studios
Camera Operator, "Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning", Bunim/Murray Productions
DP, "Sex Is A God Thing", web series pilot
Director/Producer, "If Cities Could Dance: Chicago", KQED
DP/Editor, "Black Feminist" documentary, Zanah Thirus
2018
Director, "Demons", short film
Director/DP/Editor, "Behind the Silence", short film
2017
Director/Writer/Executive Producer, "FEAR", short film
2014
DP/Editor, Unique Outlook
DP/Editor, JET Magazine
FEATURES + INTERVIEWS
2022 CHICAGO/MIDWEST EMMY AWARDS: Chicago/Midwest Emmys Backstage Interview
SHOUTOUT SOCAL: Meet Chan C. Smith | Director, DP, and Photographer
SCREENMAG: Chan C. Smith Answers Five Questions with SCREEN
CCE GLOBAL: Global industry Spotlight - Chan C. Smith
REEL CHICAGO: Chan C. Smith brings her storytelling to Tessa Films