TINY: A Story About Living Small is a documentary film that follows filmmaker Christopher Smith as he builds his own tiny house in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado—despite having no prior construction experience. Along the way, he interviews other tiny house dwellers to explore a fundamental question: What makes a good home?
The Film’s Premise
Christopher Smith, along with co-director Merete Mueller, set out to document the tiny house movement from the inside. Rather than simply observing, Smith immersed himself in the experience by purchasing a 5-acre plot of land and building his own small dwelling from scratch.
The documentary captures:
- The building process: Learning construction skills with no prior experience
- The challenges: Weather, setbacks, and the reality of DIY building
- The philosophy: Interviews with tiny house pioneers exploring why people choose small
- The question: What do we really need to feel at home?
Documentary Trailer
Why This Documentary Matters
TINY became one of the defining films of the tiny house movement, introducing mainstream audiences to the concept of intentional small-space living. The film resonates because it addresses universal themes:
- Financial freedom: The appeal of a mortgage-free lifestyle
- Time freedom: Fewer possessions mean less maintenance and cleaning
- Environmental impact: Smaller footprints, lower energy consumption
- Intentional living: Choosing what truly matters rather than accumulating by default
The People Behind the Film
Directors Christopher Smith and Merete Mueller spent years documenting both the physical construction of a tiny house and the broader cultural shift toward downsizing. Their approach—participating rather than just observing—gives the film an authenticity that pure observational documentaries often lack.
Who Should Watch
TINY appeals to anyone curious about:
- The tiny house movement and its origins
- DIY construction and learning by doing
- Alternative approaches to housing and homeownership
- Minimalism and intentional living
- The trade-offs between space, cost, and freedom
Whether you’re seriously considering building a tiny house or simply questioning what “home” really means, TINY offers a thoughtful, personal exploration of living with less.
This post may contain affiliate links and/or sponsored content.
Alex
This is great! I’d love to get my hands on a copy of the documentary when it comes out. Is there anywhere I can go to get onto a list to ensure I am notified when it becomes available. I am a graduate of an Australian architecture school and my passion is contemporary, small scale, sustainable developments.
Hey Amanda–you can pre-order it here:
http://tiny-themovie.com/store/
If you’re on my email list I’ll be sure to remind you all when it’s out! If you’re not you can sign up towards the top right of the page.
Keep in touch Amanda! -Alex