The Australian film community is grieving the loss of one of its most treasured talents. Legendary sound recordist Paul ‘Salty’ Brincat passed away in late May in New South Wales after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumour.
A beloved figure on and off set, Paul was a cornerstone of the Australian screen industry, known not just for his technical brilliance but also for his humility, warmth, and unwavering dedication to the craft. Over four decades, his fingerprints were on countless productions—from local indie gems to global blockbusters filmed on Australian soil.
Brincat’s exceptional career included credits on Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002), The Invisible Man, and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. He earned an Academy Award nomination in 1999 for his work on The Thin Red Line and won a Primetime Emmy in 1996 for Outstanding Sound Mixing on Flipper, starring Alan Dale.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Paul was known for his down-to-earth spirit. “Despite his formidable résumé, Salty was an extremely humble man, devoid of ego,” said fellow sound recordist Josh O’Donnell. “I can honestly say that I would not be the man I am today without him.”
Tributes have poured in across social media. The Australian Screen Sound Guild wrote: “I was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of one of our longstanding members. He was much loved.”
Cameraman Jason Binnie added, “We have lost a legend.”
Paul’s final project was the 2024 Australian film The Nut Farm, featuring Madeleine West and Arj Barker—bringing his career full circle with one last celebration of local storytelling.
To help with memorial costs, Paul’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $10,000. The page reads:
“It’s hard to understate the profound impact that Paul Brincat has had upon the Australian film industry. So many from our extended film family are travelling far and wide to Murwillumbah to pay homage to the great man himself.”
Paul’s funeral will take place on Saturday, June 14, in his hometown of Murwillumbah, regional NSW.
He leaves behind a legacy of sound and soul that will echo through Australian cinema for generations.
