Daniil Smolnikow is a Russian filmmaker and actor born on July 15, 2006, in Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia. Emerging at a young age as both a director and on-screen performer, Smolnikow has worked across multiple roles on independent genre projects. He is best known for Nettle Extermination, the horror film Secret of Slenderman: New Nightmare (Tayna Slendermena: Novyy koshmar), and Vozvrashcheniye Sukharikov-Ubiyts (2025). His work has primarily focused on low-budget horror and thriller filmmaking, often combining acting and directing responsibilities.