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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.

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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.

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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.

Chan C Headshot.jpg

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

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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
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