David Robinson-Smith — Director | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

David Robinson-Smith is an award-winning Australian writer and director based in Budgewoi on New South Wales' Central Coast. His storytelling explores themes of ambiguity, regret, memory, and class, often focusing on morally complex characters to uncover the nuances within these areas. David's filmography includes the short film Mud Crab (2022), which has garnered international recognition. It has been featured at prestigious events such as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (USA), Raindance Film Festival (London), Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia), and the BAFTA Aesthetica Short Film Festival (York). Mud Crab has won multiple awards at CILECT, the Australian Director’s Guild, St Kilda Film Festival, and Flickerfest, and is nominated for Best Short Film at the 2024 AACTA Awards. David’s next short film, We Used To Own Houses (2023), had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival as part of its renowned 2023 Accelerator Lab, in addition to screening at SXSW Sydney. It has also been nominated for Best Direction in a Short Film at the 2023 Australian Director’s Guild Awards, and won Best Short Film at CICLOPE Asia.

David’s current short film The Shirt Off Your Back (2025) has begun its festival run at Sydney Film Festival 2025, with further festivals to be announced. The film is also nominated for Best Film at the 2026 AACTA Awards.

In 2025, David received Screen Australia development funding for his debut feature film, Colossus, in collaboration with Executive Producer Michele Bennett and Producer Julia Corcoran.

In addition he is in development on his follow-up feature, Sundowner, with Executive Producer Ari Harrison and Producer Julie Ryan of Sanctuary Pictures. Sundowner is supported by Screen NSW.

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