Biography

David Robinson-Smith is an Australian award-winning writer & director who grew up and is based in Budgewoi on NSW’s Central Coast.

David's stories center around themes of ambiguity, regret, memory, and class. He seeks to find nuance in these areas, particularly through morally flawed characters.

His filmography includes short film Mud Crab (2022), which is currently undertaking its festival circuit and has been recognised internationally by Santa Barbara International Film Festival in the U.S., Raindance Film Festival in London, Melbourne International Film Festival in Australia, and BAFTA Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York. Mud Crab has gone on to win multiple awards at CILECT, Australian Director’s Guild, St Kilda Film Festival & Flickerfest, and is nominated for Best Short Film at the 2024 AACTA Awards.

David’s latest short film We Used To Own Houses (2023) had its world premiere at Melbourne International Film Festival as part of its prestigious 2023 Accelerator Lab, as well as SXSW in Sydney. It has also been nominated for Best Direction in a Short Film at the 2023 Australian Director’s Guild.

David currently in development on his debut feature film Colossus, alongside Executive Producer Michele Bennett and Producer Julia Corcoran.

In 2024, David was selected as one of the directors in IF Magazine’s Rising Talent issue.