Iain Smith (born 1949) is a Scottish film producer recognized for his extensive work on large-scale international cinema and his leadership within the British film industry. Born in Glasgow, Smith graduated from the London Film School before beginning his professional career in the 1970s.
Smith gained early industry recognition as a production manager and associate producer. His early notable credits include serving as the production manager on the Academy Award-winning film The Killing Fields (1984) and as the associate producer on The Mission (1986). These projects established his reputation for managing complex, location-based productions.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Smith served as an executive producer or producer on several major motion pictures, often collaborating with internationally renowned directors. His filmography includes Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element (1997), Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Seven Years in Tibet (1997), Anthony Minghella’s Cold Mountain (2003), and Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men (2006). He also served as executive producer on George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), which received significant critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.
Beyond his production credits, Smith has been a prominent figure in film policy and education in the United Kingdom. He served as the Chair of the British Film Commission (BFC) and as the Chair of the Film Skills Council for Creative Skillset. His contributions to the industry were formally recognized in 2005 when he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the film industry. In 2016, he received the BAFTA Scotland Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film.