If your ambition is to create powerful stories through the lens, SAE Brisbane is the place to study cinematography in Brisbane. Whether you’re drawn to directing, editing, or screenwriting, our film courses offer practical pathways into the industry.
Transition from film enthusiast to skilled cinematographer at SAE Brisbane.
Master directing, cinematography, production and editing while building a professional portfolio through multidisciplinary projects and industry internships.
Duration: Full time, full time fast track and part-time options available
Qualification: Bachelor degree
Available to: Domestic and International students
Campus: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Develop core filmmaking and production skills through hands-on, creative projects.
Duration: Full time, full time fast track and part-time options available
Qualification: Associate degree
Available to: Domestic and International students
Campus: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
This intensive, seven-month diploma course is the first of three stages in our Bachelor's degree, allowing you to qualify for entry-level industry roles sooner.
Duration: Full time, full time fast track and part-time options available
Qualification: Diploma
Available to: Domestic and International students
Campus: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
The Adelaide SAE campus is a multi-level, purpose-designed building located in the heart of the CBD.
Shaki Prasanna | Cinematographer / Director
"I wasn’t the most academic person, and that was the whole reason why I studied film at SAE Melbourne, because it was practical and hands-on. SAE became my home; it was my safe space. Learning how to read films was the biggest skill I took out of SAE. Learning from teachers who genuinely wanted to push you, changed everything for me."
Shaki Prasanna | Cinematographer / Director
Hayden Huynh | Producer, Channel Nine
"Getting to use the film gear at SAE was awesome. I never thought I’d be handling a $48,000 camera as a student. It was great to use industry standard equipment, because since graduating, that's what I’ve been using."
Hayden Huynh | Producer, Channel Nine
Jessica Ameduri - Bachelor of Film
"Being in an environment that lets you get hands on with all the roles from pre-production to post production prepared me for what to expect when applying for jobs and continuing to grow throughout my career."
Jessica Ameduri - Bachelor of Film
Learn from active filmmakers
Collaborate across disciplines
Train with industry tools
Choose your own pathway
See your work on the big screen
Graduate with credibility
We don’t just talk the talk – we walk the walk.
And SAE students agree.
Developed industry-ready skills
(2.4% above national average)*
Valued our expert mentors & hands-on learning
(1.1% above national average)*
Loved our tech, tools & facilities
(3.1% above national average)*
Felt supported inside & outside the classroom
(10.4% above national average)*
Don’t take our word for it. Book a call back or in-person tour and see for yourself.
Train in purpose-built film studios with professional-grade lighting rigs, dolly tracks, and green screen facilities where you’ll direct, shoot, and produce portfolio-worthy projects.
Use premium cameras and film equipment from brands trusted on professional sets. You’ll learn how to harness industry-standard tech and tools to create work that showcases your technical skills.
Edit, colour grade and add visual effects in SAE’s dedicated post-production facilities, with access to professional editing software – perfect for finalising your projects with professional polish.
Complete your projects in our sound mixing suites with surround sound capabilities, where you’ll learn how to create soundscapes, record foley and incorporate music that elevates your visual storytelling.
Stephen shares his wealth of experience as an award-winning director, writer and educator with SAE students. His impressive portfolio spans feature films, short films, animation, and music videos, providing authentic industry insights across multiple visual storytelling formats.
ARIA Award winner for Best Music Video and J Award recipient for Australian Music Video of the Year
AWGIE award nominee for best original screenplay for feature film MY MISTRESS
AFI Award winner for Best Animation for DOG WITH ELECTRIC COLLAR
Daniel brings his award-winning filmmaking experience directly to the classroom. As creative director of dbMedia, he specialises in human-centred storytelling that drives impact and awareness, combining industry expertise with academic excellence to mentor the next generation of filmmakers.
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with festival success mentoring student films
Award-winning work across health promotion, documentary, and impact campaigns
Created content for high-profile clients including the Duchess of York and Delta Goodrem
Anne is a leading Australian authority in screen education, designing content that enhances impact and drives cultural awareness. Her research-informed teaching approach combines academic rigour with industry connections, preparing students for meaningful careers in screen production.
Awarded prestigious Australian Research Council grant for PhD research on television in education
President of the Australian Screen Producers Education and Research Association
Extensive industry experience working with ABC, SBS, NITV, BBC Knowledge, and National Geographic
Hear more about Shaki’s journey and the type of projects he’s currently working on as a Creative Collaborations Director at Atomos.
Film directors serve as the creative force behind productions, shaping visual and storytelling elements. They work closely with actors, cinematographers, and production teams to bring scripts to life while maintaining cohesion across all departments.
Average Industry Salary: $85,000-$150,000**
Film editors piece together raw footage to create polished final products with emotional impact. They work closely with directors to select the best takes, refine transitions, and incorporate visual effects and sound design to ensure smooth, engaging storytelling.
Average Industry Salary: $80,000-$120,000**
Cinematographers are responsible for the visual look of films, collaborating with directors on lighting, camera angles, and shot composition. Their expertise in camera work, lenses, and lighting techniques plays a crucial role in establishing a film's mood and atmosphere.
Average Industry Salary: $90,000-$160,000**
Screenwriters craft scripts that form the foundation of films, developing dialogue, characters, and narrative structure. They shape the story's tone and flow, creating compelling blueprints that guide directors, actors, and production teams throughout the filmmaking process.
Average Industry Salary: $70,000-$110,000**
Download our Course Guide to access:
The inside scoop on our courses and career paths
Exclusive industry insights
Alumni success stories to get your inspiration flowing
The lowdown on our fees, including FEE-HELP and scholarships.
SAE Brisbane offers film production qualifications including the Bachelor of Film (Production), Associate Degree of Film, and Diploma of Film. These courses focus on hands-on filmmaking across development, production, cinematography, directing, and post-production.
Film courses in Brisbane are primarily delivered full-time, with some flexibility in study load and accelerated options depending on the qualification.
Depending on your area of focus, you might need to understand camera systems, lighting setups, editing software, sound recording, or post-production workflows. At SAE, you’ll train with industry-standard tools like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro, ensuring you graduate with the confidence and technical ability to walk onto a set or into an edit suite ready to contribute.
The Brisbane campus is located at Cnr Jane Street &, Riverside Dr, West End QLD 4101.
Film crews include creative leads like the Producer, Director, and Director of Photography, alongside teams for camera, lighting, sound, art direction, costume, and make-up. Other essential roles include Assistant Directors, Script Supervisors, Grips, Gaffers, and post-production specialists like Editors and Colourists. Each department also includes junior roles, assistants, and trainees who support the team throughout the shoot.
The campus includes purpose-built film studios, sound stages, editing suites, colour grading rooms, and collaborative production spaces designed for practical learning.
A career in film production can take many forms, from directing and producing to editing, cinematography, or production design. You could be writing screenplays, shaping the visual style of a project, or crafting the final edit for cinema, streaming, or social platforms. Whether you become a video editor, colourist, or videographer, the film industry values creativity, collaboration, and technical ability. At SAE, you’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and graduate with a portfolio of work that helps you stand out from day one.
Yes. Film students have access to industry-standard cameras, lighting kits, grip equipment, and professional editing and post-production suites as part of their coursework.
Yes. Classes are taught by lecturers with real-world industry experience across film production, directing, cinematography, and post-production.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our friendly team is here to help – reach out with any questions!
* QILT Data Source (Undergraduate / Creative Arts)
** Salaries sourced from various websites including Seek.com.au, Indeed Australia, PayScale Australia, JobOutlook.gov.au, LinkedIn Salary Insights, Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Screen Australia
