Lewis Smithard
- Producer
- Cinematographer
- Editor
Lewis is an award-winning film producer with a First-Class BA (Hons) in Film Production, internationally recognised for his work on SoulGuard, which received an Award of Excellence in Los Angeles. With a reputation for high-quality and audience-driven storytelling, Lewis orchestrates a unique blend of technically proficient crew, authentic narrative construction, and deep-level research to every project he undertakes.
Lewis's journey into film was anything but conventional. Growing up in the countryside before relocating to a small market town in Staffordshire with his Father and Brother, he was home-schooled for much of his early life. Navigating ASD and the challenges of traditional schooling which made formal education difficult - that was until his acceptance into an under-16s course at Stafford College which marked a turning point. It was there, at 15 years old, that Lewis discovered a passion for film production through creating his first short film, SCP: Descent into Darkness, using only an action camera a lightweight editing software and a couple of friends.
That course was disbanded, forcing Lewis to face another setback - waiting a year before being given a second chance - this time on a 16+ Creative Media Production course. He arrived with nothing but a passion for the subject, and a tutor willing to take a chance on him. Lewis steadily proved himself, progressing from Level 2 to Level 3 whilst helping form a student-led production crew named MiniStudioz, and finally earning top marks (D* D* D) along with a Creative Arts Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2021 dedicated to his Hard work, Attitude and Commitment.
This momentum propelled him to Manchester Metropolitan University, but the long commute limited his creative opportunities. He soon transferred to the University of Staffordshire (formally Staffordshire University), where he thrived in the hands-on, technically focused film production program. There, Lewis visited Clermont-Ferrand film festival in France and had his first professional documentary, Good Living, screened in Metz.
Throughout his academic journey, Lewis fine-tuned his craft through rigorous self-development, collaboration, and leadership. He has built a strong network of professionals across several disciplines; including cinematography, sound design, VFX, and production management. His dedication culminated in the production of several award-winning projects - most notably SoulGuard, which received recognition in Los Angeles.
Today, Lewis continues to build on this galvanised foundation as he develops a film production company dedicated to crafting meaningful, meticulously researched, and emotionally impactful films. His mission is simple but ambitious: to produce cinema with depth, quality, and lasting impact.
Lewis's journey into film was anything but conventional. Growing up in the countryside before relocating to a small market town in Staffordshire with his Father and Brother, he was home-schooled for much of his early life. Navigating ASD and the challenges of traditional schooling which made formal education difficult - that was until his acceptance into an under-16s course at Stafford College which marked a turning point. It was there, at 15 years old, that Lewis discovered a passion for film production through creating his first short film, SCP: Descent into Darkness, using only an action camera a lightweight editing software and a couple of friends.
That course was disbanded, forcing Lewis to face another setback - waiting a year before being given a second chance - this time on a 16+ Creative Media Production course. He arrived with nothing but a passion for the subject, and a tutor willing to take a chance on him. Lewis steadily proved himself, progressing from Level 2 to Level 3 whilst helping form a student-led production crew named MiniStudioz, and finally earning top marks (D* D* D) along with a Creative Arts Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2021 dedicated to his Hard work, Attitude and Commitment.
This momentum propelled him to Manchester Metropolitan University, but the long commute limited his creative opportunities. He soon transferred to the University of Staffordshire (formally Staffordshire University), where he thrived in the hands-on, technically focused film production program. There, Lewis visited Clermont-Ferrand film festival in France and had his first professional documentary, Good Living, screened in Metz.
Throughout his academic journey, Lewis fine-tuned his craft through rigorous self-development, collaboration, and leadership. He has built a strong network of professionals across several disciplines; including cinematography, sound design, VFX, and production management. His dedication culminated in the production of several award-winning projects - most notably SoulGuard, which received recognition in Los Angeles.
Today, Lewis continues to build on this galvanised foundation as he develops a film production company dedicated to crafting meaningful, meticulously researched, and emotionally impactful films. His mission is simple but ambitious: to produce cinema with depth, quality, and lasting impact.
