Biography

Ilia Smirnov is a director and cinematographer, known for his music video Always Young and Brave (2021) and short films Patient Zero (2022) and Oliver (2023). It all started in 2016 when Ilia ventured for a career shift into cinematography and began making short films with his old Nikon DSLR camera and his dog as a star. Years later his hard work, passion for storytelling, a keen eye for cinematic artistry and a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise led to a Webby Award win and multiple other international film festival wins and nominations. In 2023 following the personal invitation from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, Ilia became an Associate Member and a Webby Awards Judge. He continues to craft compelling short films that captivate audiences and showcase the depth of human (and animal) experience.
- IMDb mini biography by: Julia Fyodorova