Introduction
Parker J. Finn (born March 18, 1987) is an American film director and screenwriter. He wrote and directed the horror film Smile (2022), which in turn was based on his own short film Laura Hasn't Slept (2018).
Early life and education
Finn was born and raised in Bath, Ohio, near Akron.
He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, then attended the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University, where he received his MFA in Screenwriting in 2011.
Career
Finn's 2018 short film The Hidebehind screened at Panic Fest and the Portland Horror Film Festival in 2019. Finn filmed Laura Hasn't Slept at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Art's Stage B. The short won the Special Jury Award at SXSW 2020. Finn's first feature film, Smile, was based on his short film Laura Hasn't Slept. Smile became 2022's top grossing original horror film. In 2023, Finn entered a multi-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to write, produce, and direct additional feature films.
In 2023, Finn founded the film and television production company Bad Feeling. He will return to write and direct the upcoming untitled sequel to Smile, which is set to be released in 2024.
Filmography
Feature films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Smile | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2024 | Untitled Smile sequel | Yes | Yes | TBA |
Short films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Hidebehind | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2020 | Laura Hasn't Slept | Yes | Yes | Yes |