Valerie Faris is an American director and producer, known for her artistic and professional partnership with her husband Jonathan Dayton, with whom she co-directs all of their work. The couple began their career directing highly successful music videos for artists such as The Smashing Pumpkins ("Tonight, Tonight") and the Red Hot Chili Peppers ("Californication"), winning numerous MTV Video Music Awards and a Grammy Award.

Their feature film debut came in 2006 with *Little Miss Sunshine*, which was acclaimed by critics and audiences. The film received four Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture, and established Faris and Dayton internationally, earning them a César Award nomination for Best Foreign Film. Their subsequent filmography includes *Ruby Sparks* (2012) and *Battle of the Sexes* (2017), which have confirmed their distinctive style, capable of blending comedy, drama, and a keen observation of human relationships. They also directed the television series *Living with Yourself* (2019) for Netflix.