Banksy created the 2010 street-art documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop.
The film follows the world of street art through the experiences of filmmaker Thierry Guetta, who becomes increasingly involved in making and promoting art himself. Banksy appears as an elusive participant and director, preserving the mystery surrounding his public identity.
The question can be confusing because the film began as footage gathered in 2005, while its release came in 2010. It was also marketed with the provocative subtitle “The Unbelievable True Story of Street Art.”
Exit Through the Gift Shop examines authorship, commerce and the transformation of underground art into a marketable cultural product. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature, making Banksy’s film project visible far beyond the street-art scene.