Chris writes, produces and directs across documentary, drama and advertising.
Chris’ first obsession was music. However a half-decent career as a rock guitarist was soon redirected to making documentaries, as well as working in development for Working Title Films (for whom he wrote a treatment for a film about a giant killer bat.)
His first feature documentary, Storm Surfers 3D – co-directed with Justin McMillan – won runner-up in the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012, and took out the AACTA award (the Australian “Oscars”) for Best Feature Documentary.
His next feature doc, Girls Can’t Surf, about the emergence of women’s professional surfing in the 1980s, was selected for the Tribeca Film Festival, before becoming the highest-grossing feature documentary in Australia in 2021. It was released in cinemas in the UK, as well as being nominated for Best Feature Documentary at the 2021 AACTAs.
Chris’ most recent film Whistle, a feature documentary set in the world championships of musical whistling, had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It went on to open DOC NYC, and play the Palm Springs, Boulder and Sydney Film Festivals, amongst others. Whistle is produced with the Academy Award-nominated team behind ‘Porcelain War’.
Chris is the ideator and co-founder of The Lion’s Share, a global charitable fund backed by the UN Development Programme whereby advertisers contribute to wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
He is also the founder of the successful campaign to have a bronze statue of world champion surfer Pauline Menczer erected at Bondi Beach.
Chris lives near Sydney, Australia.
Commercial representation (Australia & NZ):