About

Mary Olive Smith is an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and executive producer.

Mary Olive transforms compelling stories into powerful visual narratives that inspire action. With decades of experience as a director, producer, cinematographer, and editor, she provides end-to-end video production services for organizations making a difference in the world.

Whether leading complex documentary projects or creating targeted short-form content, Mary Olive brings uncompromising quality, authentic human connection, and seasoned expertise to every production.

I’ve spent my career helping organizations tell the stories of their most important work.

Hi I’m Mary Olive (though most people call me MO). I'm a storyteller with a passion for making documentaries that move and motivate the world. I thrive on helping organizations shine a spotlight on their success through impactful, short-form videos.

Human connection is the most important element of the work I do. Wherever I meet someone—whether in a mountain village in Nepal or on the tough neighborhood streets of Baltimore—I listen deeply and seek to bring out the human spirit behind the action that's taking place.

I have a deep commitment to telling stories with social impact, especially in the areas of global health, women's issues, and the climate crisis. Creative collaboration brings me deep satisfaction and purpose, and I love both leading and being part of a team that sheds light on stories and promotes issues that matter.

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“Your video was the centerpiece of our magnificent one year birthday party for the Whitney. I am ever so grateful to you for your responsiveness, creativity, flexibility and alacrity. In short, you are amazing!

Adam Weinberger, Former Director
Whitney Museum of American Art

Awards & Recognition

Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Programming - "A Walk to Beautiful"

International Documentary Association Award for Best Feature Documentary

Overseas Press Club Award for Best International Affairs Documentary

Emmy Nomination for "The Violence Paradox" (NOVA)

Emmy Nomination for "Child Brides" (PBS)

Global Health Council’s Excellence in Media for “A Walk to Beautiful”

Multiple film festival awards for "A Walk to Beautiful"

MORE ABOUT MO

The full story of Mary Olive

MO Smith is an Emmy-award-winning director and producer of documentary and non-fiction content. For the past decade, she has devoted her talents to producing short-form videos that promote her clients' missions — creating powerful centerpieces for fundraising efforts, gala events, websites, and social media campaigns.

As a seasoned showrunner and executive producer, MO excels at both solo projects and team leadership. She served as showrunner for 18 short documentaries produced for The Climate Reality Project's globally streamed "24 Hours of Reality," hosted by Al Gore. Her directorial and cinematography work for NOVA's Emmy-nominated "The Violence Paradox" showcased her ability to capture sensitive stories with dignity and impact.

MO's feature directorial debut, "A Walk to Beautiful," earned an Emmy Award and the International Documentary Association Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary, along with numerous festival accolades. Her field producer and cinematographer work for "Child Brides" (PBS) was recognized with the Overseas Press Club Award for Best International Affairs Documentary and an Emmy nomination. She spent the first decade of her career producing primetime television at NYC-based Engel Entertainment (for National Geographic Channels, Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and PBS).

Her client portfolio includes prestigious organizations such as GSK's Global Health Programme in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Whitney Museum of American Art, WEEMA International, and the Howard Center in Burlington, VT. With each project, she collaborates closely with communications teams to elevate their organization's mission and growth.

MO brings exceptional academic credentials to her work, holding a BA from Davidson College and a master's degree from the School of International Affairs at Columbia University.

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