Paisley Smith
Bio
Paisley Smith (Canada)
Paisley Smith is a creative leader and experienced virtual reality director, writer, and producer. She creates engaging virtual reality films with physical, real-world impact, including Unceded Territories and Homestay.
Homestay, produced by the National Film Board of Canada Interactive, was the recipient of the BC Spotlight Audience Award at the inaugural VIFF Immersed Exhibition in 2018 and winner of Best XR for Change at the 2019 Games For Change.
She directed Unceded Territories in collaboration with acclaimed activist and artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Unceded Territories, which links climate change and colonization, had its world premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Unceded Territories is supported by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, The Sundance Institute, Creative BC Interactive Fund, and the Vancouver Biennale.
Smith has been recognized as one of the “10 Filmmakers to Watch” by Independent Magazine and has been nominated for an ADC Young Gun Award for her immersive media work.
Paisley is interested in making emerging tech accessible to diverse audiences. She curated and ran a VR exhibition, Robot Remix XR, at Sp[a]ce Gallery in Los Angeles in 2019 that made elite VR experiences available to the public.
Using her expertise in world building, Paisley is leading creative entrepreneurs, artists, and organizations, including Planned Parenthood and the Sundance Institute, to design for digital connection and meaningful engagement. She also speaks and leads workshops about her creative work.
Paisley is the producer for the Unity for Humanity Program at Unity Technologies, supporting social impact projects built on Unity.
