David Brill AM ACS
David Brill has had a remarkable life. His career as a cinematographer, journalist and documentary filmmaker has stretched over 55 years.David has covered peacekeeping missions, conflicts and wars in Vietnam (including fall of Saigon in 1975), Somalia, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, Uganda, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Laos, Iraq (four times), the Falklands, Cambodia, Sarajevo, Chad, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
His eye for human interest stories related to war and tragedy covering the unsung heroes has been one of his greatest gifts.
David has always believed the media is so important and powerful in getting the message across and explaining to the world what is going on - the power of television! This started with the Tasmanian bushfires in 1967 (Black Tuesday). As a cadet with the ABC, he was dispatched to film the disaster. When that film went all around the world and brought aid into Tasmania, he realised you can make a difference and that’s stuck with him to this day.
David has had a remarkable career considering he is partially dyslexic, a condition that wasn’t properly understood back then.
David is the only living cinematographer to be inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Order of Australia, national ambassador for the Australian Cinematographer Society, member of the Australian Press Council, and has won six United Nations peace awards.
