TONY DEANSMITH

Tony Dean Smith is an award-winning director renowned for his sharp sense of story, elegant camerawork and grounded performances.

His critically acclaimed feature film, Volition, captivated audiences worldwide, earning festival awards and acclaim from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Ain’t It Cool News, and Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds an 87% Fresh rating. The film's success led to Tony receiving the Directors Guild of Canada's Best BC Director Award.

Tony has since brought his directing expertise to a diverse range of film and television productions for Paramount+, Hallmark, Lifetime, and other independent films and networks. His work spans genres, from romantic comedies and character-driven dramas to psychological thrillers and action films. Along the way, he has had the pleasure of working with Academy Award winner Jon Voight, BAFTA winner Tom Hollander, Golden Globe winners Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Jeremy Piven, and acclaimed actors Peter Serafinowicz, Sienna Guillory, Seth Green and Kevin Dillon.

A former stage and screen actor, lifelong camera nerd, and award-winning picture editor, Tony Dean has a refined ability to see the edit before the shoot, saving time and resources while leaving plenty of room for play and discovery. His character-driven approach to storytelling, his technical precision and collaborative nature allow him to be both thoroughly prepared and entirely at ease with his cast, crew and collaborators.

At his core, Tony Dean believes that storytelling is more than mere entertainment; it is a profound tool—one that holds up a mirror to the human experience and offers the possibility of transformation.