About
Megan's career encompasses documentary, television, film, theatre, magazines, blogs, and radio both in the U.S. and Canada. Currently she is the Festival Director or the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival, which screens films to over 3500 people and is located in the culturally vibrant town of Ridgefield, CT. Megan is also editor of Wilton Magazine, an award-winning publication and one of six lifestyle magazines owned by the TownVibe Media Group with a combined circulation of 225,000.
Megan is the president and co-owner of Pyewackitt Productions, an independent production company with a commitment to create high quality, socially relevant film and television programs with a unique perspective.
Recently, Megan completed production on the award-winning documentary, The Buddy System, a one-hour film that focuses on the impact of specially trained assistance dogs on the lives of children on the autism spectrum. She also produced, directed, and co-wrote the critically acclaimed independent feature documentary, Trial By Fire: Lives Re-forged.. The film was dubbed "a must-see" by Real Screen, "emotionally potent” by the Los Angeles Times, and “a truly important film” by PBS International. It continues to air on PBS and is available on Amazon Prime.
Megan also produced and directed Surrogate Stories, a two-hour television special about surrogate mothers. Additionally, she helmed the one-hour documentaries Child Brides and Polygamy Cults, all for the Women's Entertainment Network,
In Canada, Megan produced 24 short documentary films on celebrated individuals spanning all areas of the arts including film, architecture, design, music, writing, poetry, and dance. She produced, co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in Mad in Canada, a hit comedy revue that ran collectively for a year in Toronto and Montreal. She also as co-wrote and co-starred in 50 episodes of the popular national CBC comedy radio series, The Norm.
Megan has received numerous national, regional, and local awards for her magazine articles, freelance writing, and playwriting. (List below)
A committed and passionate volunteer, Megan has worked with The American Red Cross, Performers for Literacy, The Rett Syndrome Foundation, Miller Driscoll School, Cider Mill School, Connecticut Friends School, Weir Farm Art Center, Wilton Family YMCA, the YWCA of Greenwich, Wilton Library Association, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, and Theatre Artists Workshop.
For the past decade Megan has donated her time to program and moderate the New Perspectives Documentary Series in Wilton, CT, where she lives with her husband and son. (CV below)
Best-selling author Jane Green presents Megan
with four awards at the
2016 CT Press Club Awards Ceremony.
Megan, J.R. & Dr. Mehmet Oz
on the set of the Dr. Oz
(featuring TRIAL BY FIRE: Lives Re-Forged)
Megan discusses her documentary, The Buddy System
with Tommy and Susie Hilfiger
at an Autism Benefit in Greenwich
On location in Ridgefield, CT with legendary bass player Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick.
With super model Gigi Hadid on a commercial shoot at Megan's home.
On location in Galveston, TX with J.R. Martinez
for TRIAL BY FIRE: Lives Re-Forged
Interviewing the Property Brothers for the article "Brotherly Love." published in Wilton Magazine
CURRICULUM VITAE
MEGAN SMITH-HARRIS
EDITOR
WILTON MAGAZINE (2014-Present)
An award-winning regional lifestyle magazine that is part of the TownVibe Media Group, which collectively reaches over 225,000 readers. Responsible for all editorial content, hire writers, write features, edit all editorial content, scout locations, produce all photo features (fashion, home, garden), revise layouts in InDesign, and serve as an ambassador for the brand. Have personally won 19 Connecticut Press Club Awards and four NFPW national writing awards for work in TownVibe publications.
FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
RIDGEFIELD INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (2017-Present)
Responsible for all aspects of running an annual five-day film festival in October, a one-day children's film festival in April, and a series of one-off events throughout the year. Responsible for creating an annual budget, fund-raising, grant proposals, donor relations, and all programming (over 100 films). Also oversee staff, plan and execute all events, panel discussions, and parties. Help facilitate RIFF events at multiple venues throughout Ridgefield, CT including the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield Theater Barn, Ridgefield Library, Keeler Tavern Museum, and Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum,
RIFF is ranked in the Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals by FilmFreeway, putting RIFF in the top 1.5% of over 7,000 festivals in the world. It is also one of the few filmmaker gender parity festivals in the country.
PYEWACKITT PRODUCTIONS
OWNER / PRESIDENT (2008-Present)
Pyewackitt Productions is an independent production company dedicated to creating compelling, high-quality television programs and documentary films with a unique perspective. pyewckitt.com
FILM (Producer & Director)
THE BUDDY SYSTEM
Producer, Director & Writer
Independent documentary about the impact autism assistance dogs can have on the life of children on the spectrum. Responsible for every aspect of production including research, budget, fund-raising, hiring, managing crewing, and marketing and promotion. Currently screening at film festivals across the country. BuddySystemFilm.org
TACKLE GIRLS: ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION
Executive Producer
Independent feature documentary that follows an elite group of women tackle football players who form Team USA. The film follows them on their quest for a gold medal in an international competition held in Helsinki, Finland. Responsible for budgeting, fund-raising, creating production schedules, producing, and post-production coordination. Currently in post-production. Tackle Girls Promo
TRIAL BY FIRE: LIVES RE-FORGED
Producer, Director & Writer
Independent feature documentary that follows the journeys of seven charismatic burn survivors as they reclaim their lives after the devastation of fire. Premiered in New York and L.A., Docuweeks pick, featured in Leonard Maltin’s Cinema Series, showcased on Dr. Oz, screened at festivals, continues to air on PBS, distributed by PBS International and available on Amazon Prime. TrialByFireDoc.org
ABUSE HURTS
Producer, Director & Writer
Documentary featuring five women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds who overcome domestic abuse. Responsible for all elements of production and post-production. Produced for the YWCA of Greenwich.
TELEVISION
SURROGATE STORIES
Producer, Director & Writer
Two-hour television special exploring the intimate world of surrogacy. Responsible for all research, budgeting, crew management, pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery. Commissioned by the Women’s Entertainment Network. Aired on WEtv and distributed by Off the Fence.
CHILD BRIDES
Producer, Director & Writer
One-hour documentary that examines the lives of teens who prematurely become wives and mothers, examining how their decision to marry young has profoundly changed the course of their lives. Responsible for all research, budgeting, crew management, pre-production, production, and post-production. Commissioned by the Women’s Entertainment Network. Aired on WEtv and distributed by Off the Fence.
POLYGAMY
Producer & Writer
One-hour documentary that looks inside the hidden world of polygamy featuring women who happily practice plural marriage and those who have broken free of the practice. Commissioned by the Women’s Entertainment Network. Aired on WEtv. (Production Company Blue Sky)
FAME SCHOOL
Associate Producer & Writer
One-hour documentary profiling exceptional students at the La Guardia School for the Performing Arts aka "The Fame School." Aired on PBS. (Production company Fresh Produce)
NIGHT ON THE TOWN with Peter Graves
Writer
Peter Graves explores the history of the famed Peter Luger's Steak House. Aired on A&E (Fresh Produce)
TORONTO ARTS AWARDS
Short Film Producer & Live Show Producer - Three Seasons
Produced 24, five-minute films (16 mm) on celebrated individuals in the arts over a three-year period. Collaborated with 24 different directors. Aired on CBC, TV Ontario, and Bravo. (Pyewackitt Productions CANADA)
WRITER (Magazines, Blogs, Radio, Television, Film, Theater)
FREELANCE WRITER
Articles published by the Weston Magazine Group (Greenwich, Weston, Darien, Rye, New York ), E-Chook Digital Publishing, Wilton Magazine, Ridgefield Magazine, Fairfield Magazine, Bedford Magazine, Litchfield Magazine, and Brain Child Magazine.
BLOGS
MEGAblog (2014)
Creator, Writer & Photographer
A popular blog for Hearst CT Media. Conceived of and executed weekly blog. Responsible for all content and photos. MEGAblog consistently ranked in the top ten of over 200 blogs.
THEATRE
KILLING MOM (writer)
Full Length Play - Developmental reading at Theatre Artists Workshop, Equity Showcase Reading at ACT of CT
THE PLAY DATE (Writer)
A Monologue
Performed at Play With Your Food (Greenwich, CT; Weston, CT; TAW Playwright's Festival (Norwalk, CT)
SMOKE BREAK (Writer)
A Monologue - performed at TAW Spring Playwrights Festival
A WHOLE NEW WORLD (Writer)
Award-winning one-act play (2016 Bijou Theatre One-Act Play Competition judged by Tony-award-winning playwright Terrence McNally)
MY FIRST PROM (Writer/Actor)
20-Minute monologue, performed at TAW Fall Playwrights Festival
COMPANY'S COMING (Writer/Actor)
A Monologue - in development at Theatre Artists Workshop
MAD IN CANADA (Writer/Producer/Co-Director/Actor)
Topical comedy revue - ran for a year (six months in Toronto and six months in Montreal).
SCREENPLAYS
KILLING MOM
Feature Screenplay - Psychological Suspense (in development)
BEHIND THE HEDGEROWS
Feature Screenplay - Psychological Suspense
CRYPTIC
Feature Screenplay - Suspense (Optioned)
ISLAND JUSTICE
Feature Screenplay - Thriller
A WOMYN NAMED DOROTHY
Feature Screenplay - Mock Documentary
SPEAKER, PRESENTER, & MODERATOR
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER
Speaker for conferences of all sizes including arts groups, women's groups, community groups, and non-profits. Have spoken for the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), Ridgefield's Women Forum, Nevada Burn Foundation, National Association of State Fire Chiefs, Phoenix Society, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, National Speakers Association, Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, Firefighters Burn Institute, Utah Winter Fire School, Canadian Burn Survivor's Conference, The Power of Trial By Fire Special Event (Edmonton), various Rotary Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs in CT, regular speaker at the New Perspectives Documentary Film Series. Panelist at New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT). Moderator at the Readers & Writers Festival (Milford PA 2018, 2019) Also emcees, leads workshops, conducts celebrity author/filmmaker interviews, and serves as a fund-raising auctioneer.
EDUCATION
CANADIAN FILM CENTRE | Producer Resident
One of 4 Producer Residents chosen from across Canada. Toronto, Ontario
BANFF CENTRE FOR FINE ARTS | Women In The Director's Chair Resident
One of 15 women chosen from across Canada. Banff, Alberta
NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA | Acting
One of 7 women actors chosen from across Canada. Montreal, Quebec
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY | Bachelor of Arts (Theatre Major & English Minor)
Kingston, Ontario
AWARDS & HONORS
WINNER OF TEN Connecticut Press Club Awards 2019
HONORABLE MENTION NFPW National Journalism Awards 2019
FIRST PRIZE Connecticut Press Club Awards 2018
SECOND PRIZE Connecticut Press Club Awards 2018
THIRD PRIZE Connecticut Press Club Awards 2018
HONORABLE MENTION Connecticut Press Club Awards 2018
HONORABLE MENTION NFPW National Journalism Awards 2018
FIRST PRIZE WINNER NFPW National Journalism Awards 2017
BEST FILM "The Buddy System" Autfest 2017
FIRST PRIZE WINNER Connecticut Press Club Awards 2017
THIRD PRIZE WINNER Connecticut Press Club Awards 2017
HONORABLE MENTION Connecticut Press Club Awards 2017
FIRST PRIZE WINNER | Bijou Theatre 2016 One-Act Play Contest
SECOND PRIZE WINNER | NFPW National Journalism Awards 2016
FIRST PRIZE WINNER x 2| Connecticut Press Club Awards 2016
SECOND PRIZE WINNER | Connecticut Press Club 2016
THIRD PRIZE WINNER | Connecticut Press Club 2016
FIRST PRIZE WINNER | Right/Left/Center Writing Contest
OFDC Market Mentorship | International Documentary Forum Amsterdam (IDFA)
Market Simulation HONOREE | Banff Television Festival
CTV Fellowship
Scholarship | Canadian Film Centre
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
National Federation of Press Women (NFPW)
Connecticut Press Club
Dramatists Guild of America
Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC)
League of Professional Theater Women (CT Chapter)
Film Festival Alliance
New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT)
Theatre Artists Workshop (TAW)
GIVING BACK
MODERATOR/PROGRAMMER New Perspectives Documentary Series (10 Years)
BOARD Member Theatre Artists’ Workshop
AUCTIONEER (multiple organizations)
GALA CHAIR CT Friends School
AUCTION CHAIR Weir Farm Art Center
ARTS ENRICHMENT Coordinator Cider Mill School
CO-PRESIDENT Canaan Ridge Parent's Association
AUCTION CO-CHAIR Greenwich Red Cross
PRESIDENT A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Women in Business
EVENT COMMITTEE Greenwich YWCA Gala
BOARD MEMBER Greenwich Newcomers Association
EVENT CHAIR "Climb For Hope" Gala for Rett Syndrome Association
