ABOUT

"...this is tautly plotted; not a word of dialogue, not a shot or edit is wasted in telling us an actually quite complex story... It's Jon James Smith's attention to detail that really impresses." - MJ Simpson

Jon James Smith is a British writer and director working primarily in the horror and thriller genre.

Acclaimed film critic MJ Simpson wrote; "It's Jon James Smith's attention to detail that really impresses" in his review of Smith's award-winning thriller Do Not Disturb (2015). The film screened at festivals worldwide, winning several awards. Smith then went on to win the Shriekfest Commercial Competition in 2016.

His latest horror film Last Orders (2021) starring Alastair Parker (Netflix's 'The Witcher') and Steven Elder (Netflix's 'The King'), has received wide praise in reviews, being described as a "masterwork" by Nevermore-Horror.com. Although still near the beginning of its festival run, the film has picked up several awards including the Grand Jury Prize for Best Horror Short at Film Invasion LA and the Best of Fest Skully's Choice Award at The London Horror Society Indie Film Showcase.

Jon's new short 'Babushka' starring Hayley McFarland (The Conjuring, Lie To Me) is in post-production, and his Screencraft Semifinalist feature screenplay 'Rangda' is in development with Thorny Devil Productions.

Studying cinematography in the UK at the prestigious Bournemouth Screen Academy (alumni include, Edgar Wright) under Witold Stok BSC, was a great technical and creative base for his career. With a lust for hands-on experience Jon worked on over thirty 16mm productions, his student cinematography work has been screened at festivals around the world, winning various awards. He went on to work in the industry in the camera department and then as a cinematographer for several indie productions before focusing on writing and directing.

In between making films, Jon has created content for some of the biggest brands around, has worked for Google as a cinematographer and tech specialist, and works in special effects, recently on Warner Brothers 'Pennyworth' and BBC's 'Killing Eve'. Jon was also second unit director on horror feature 'Fanged Up', starring Steven Berkoff (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Beverly Hills Cop).