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Sarah Smither
Director of Photography

Sarah has 25 years industry experience and works with all standard digital camera formats including ARRI, Sony, Blackmagic and RED. 

She is experienced in shooting anamorphic and working with vintage lenses. She has been working as an HOD for over 10 years and is a great collaborator and sensitive leader, recently qualifying as a Mental Health First Aider.

Sarah Smither portrait

Sarah has lit and shot over 40 short films over a long career which began in London and is now centred around the South West. Sarah’s work has been selected for many film festivals across Europe, the US and beyond.

Sarah’s visual work mainly comprises of short films and indie features, branded content, music promos and commercials. She has a particular interest in female-led narratives and comedy drama.

Sarah is driven by human stories and the power of moving image to connect people and effect positive change.

Sarah is a member of Women Behind the Camera, the GTC, BECTU and Bristol Crew.

Films

Sarah’s Kit:

Sony FX9 Full-Frame 6k Camera kit
XQD cards
V-lock battery kit
XEEN CF Full-Frame cine-primes (16,24,35,50,85mm)
Sony G Series Full-Frame 28-135mm zoom
Sony G Series Full-Frame 90mm macro
Selection of 4x4 filters
Hollyland Mars 400S wireless video system with iPad
Miller tripod
Nanlite Forza 300B with lantern, soft box & fresnel
Nanlite Forza 150B with soft box & fresnel
Nanlite Forza 60B with fresnel
Swit PL-E90 2x1 bi-colour LED panel
Falcon Eyes RX18 TD Flexible LED light mat
2x NanGuang RGB LED Pavolite tubes
Rosco DMG Dash light with Dot accessory
Cineo Matchbox mini LED panel
2x 800w Redheads
650w Arri Fresnel
300w Arri Fresnel
2x 150w Dedos
Fast Flags Kit
2x2m Lastolite frame with various fabrics
Adicam Camera Cart
5-seater transit van for kit & crew

Orlando Weeks ‘DIG’ feat. Rhian Teasdale - music promo

Inspired by 1930s Cinema, this was a multi-layered, complex project shot in studio in Bristol using rear projection of AI landscapes and more traditional green screen elements with specially-built props. 

Directed by Matt Harris-Freeth and produced by xProductions.

Featured in Promo News 'Videos of the Month' - May 2024.

‘The Score’ - short film

This independently-funded short film was shot on location at Strange Brew in Bristol starring Dani Moseley (Dreaming Whilst Black) and a supporting cast. 

A late night exchange of cash for an item to save an ailing bar business goes awry when the character’s choices start to be influenced by the musical score they can all hear. Can they fight back?

Written by Christopher Hewitt and produced by Tim Lasseter & Catarina Oliveira, with generous support from Films@59.

‘The Meal’ - short film

Commissioned as part of a University research project this charity film will be showcased by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. It follows an older couple, one of whom is living with life-limiting cancer, and the challenges of navigating mealtimes together.

Written and directed by Robbie Brown, produced by Michaela Miesen.

Water’s Edge’ - short film

Commissioned by Bristol School of Acting, this short film, set in the near future, explores issues of gender and identity in a rural smallholding whose traditional rules are shaken up by a group of travelling players visiting for one night. 

Written and directed by Jason Barker.

‘Poppet’ - short film

Jessie grew up in care and her Poppet ‘Buffy’ has always been with her, but could their close bond be a hindrance to Jessie’s desire to succeed as a Therapist?

Written, directed by and starring Katherine Press. Puppetry by Josh Elwell.

Selected for Sunderland Shorts Festival 2024, Sunrise Film Festival 2024 (BIFA qualifying), Peekskill Film Festival 2024 (US).

‘Love Bomb’ - short film

How do you know when a relationship is toxic?

Skye and Danielle are excited to go to university in Brighton but then Skye meets Jake…

Commissioned by the charity Integrate UK, this is an educational short intended to spark discussion about coercive control in relationships.

Directed by Alison Hargreaves.

‘Homegrown’ - BFI short film

On the hottest day of the year, tensions reach boiling point at a fruit farm as Bajan migrant worker Nicole takes matters into her own hands.

Directed by Corinne Walker and produced by Sophie Freeman, Homegrown premiered in competition at Encounters Film Festival in 2023.

Also selected for Norwich Film Festival 2023 and Windrush Caribbean Film Festival 2024.

‘HAM’ - short film

Made by a team of all-female & non-binary filmmakers HAM is a comedy short about female friendship and a mysterious discovery in the woods…

Written by Bebe Sanders and directed by Fiona Hampton.

Selected for St Johns International Women’s Festival 2023 (Canada), Atlanta Film Festival 2023, Hollywood Shortsfest 2023, Cannes Indie Shorts Awards 2023, Berlin Women Cinema Festival 2023 and Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival 2024.

‘Liverpool Ferry’ - BFI short film

Starring Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls, The Flash) and Ross McKinney (Maze, The Truth Commissioner).

This BFI short film takes place over two days in the life of a teenage couple faced with a difficult decision and its life-changing consequences.

Written and directed by Lee Armstrong, produced by Lindsay Fraser.

‘Talia’ - short film

A young girl struggling with feelings of loss discovers her neighbour loves nature, then strikes up an unusual friendship.

Shot on location in Bristol, Talia was one of the first short films in the UK to be awarded Albert Sustainable status.

Written and directed by Cara Bamford, produced by Matt Gras.

Screened at multiple festivals including Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Flickers’ Rhode Island, Cine-Sister, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival, Toronto Black Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival, Leeds Young Film Festival, Beeston Film Festival and Cinemagic Belfast.

CFCxThree - ‘Connect With’

Filmed in a purpose-built studio set, Chelsea footballers Conor Gallagher and Sam Kerr discuss all things sneakers. They also go head to head in a hydro-dipping contest.

Production company: Clockwise.Film

The Longest Johns ‘Wellerman’ - music promo

First official music video for The Longest Johns after their signing to Decca Records following their TikTok fame.

Shot in a day on a sailing ship off the Dorset coast.

Directed by Matt Harris-Freeth, produced by Oli Kendall at Mintcake.

4.8 million views on YouTube.

‘Elysium’ - Arts Council short film

Produced by Clockwise.Film in collaboration with Made My Wardrobe, this is an experimental film funded by The Arts Council exploring whether an indoor skatepark could be used as a performance space post-Covid.

Featuring female dancers and skateboarders with original music by Nobahar Imogen Mahdavi.

Hawxx ‘Death of Silence’ - music promo

Produced and directed by Noomi Yates this ambitious, award-winning music promo was shot in a day in a warehouse in Bristol.

Cosyfeet TVC

Four seasons in one day showing off the wide range of footwear Cosy Feet has to offer.

Produced by Fable Studios in Bristol.

‘Marked’ - short film for Channel 4 Random Acts

A Random Acts film for the Channel 4 strand.

Through the power of the spoken word, four women seize control from their oppressor.

Written, directed by and starring Euella Jackson. Produced by Michael Jenkins with Calling The Shots.

‘The Place of my Birth’ - short film

Written & Directed by Matt Harris-Freeth for the SciFi London 48hr Film Challenge and shot on location in Bristol.

Winner of RTS Award for 'Best Short' 2017 and selected for numerous short film festivals worldwide.

‘Cherry’ - short film

Written by Jaleelah Galbraith and directed by Paul Holbrook, Cherry is a 6 minute continuous take of an unusual monologue.

Kikamora ‘Wrong Place, Right Time’ - music promo

Produced and directed by Noomi Yates and featuring Cleopantha, this music promo was shot in a day at Poltimore House in Devon.

‘Brent Butane’ - online commercial

Bell Car Insurance commercial shot at The Bottleyard Studios in Bristol.

Produced by Aspect Film & Video.

Black Moth ‘Moonbow’ - music promo

Multilayered psychedelic & colourful, shot in studio with in-camera lighting and projection effects. 

Produced and directed by Ben Foley at Buckloop VFX in Bristol.

‘The Shock’ - short film

Part of the 'Work Safe Home Safe' drama series for Mitie.

Series 2, Episode 1. Shot on location in Bristol, directed by Matt Harris-Freeth, produced by JS Productions.

‘We need to talk about…Death’ NHS short film

Commissioned by NHS Somerset, biggerhouse film worked with a group of adults with learning differences from My Day Care Services in Taunton to produce this film. 

The intention of the film is to remove the taboos around talking about death and dying and open up conversations….

‘Sacrilege’ - feature film

Four lifelong friends head to a remote lodge for a weekend of fun. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly descends into a fight for their lives when a local Pagan cult offer them up to their Goddess as a sacrifice for the Solstice.

Starring: Tamaryn Payne (Stalled, Vendetta, Small Town Folk), Emily Wyatt (mission of Honour, Rise of the Footsoldier, Facility 31, Sensation), Naomi Willow (NSR: The Jade, Bonded by Blood 2), Ian Champion (Property, Reconnection), Emma Spurgin Hussey (The Curse of Hobbes House, A Werewolf in England), Rory Wilton (An English Haunting, Fisherman’s Friends).

Written & directed by David Creed, Produced by Mark Kenna for Bad Blood Films.

UK Cinema release in March 2020.