Noel Monkman (1896–1969) was an Australian filmmaker, born in New Zealand,^[1] best known for specialising in underwater photography.^[2] He was a press photographer in New Zealand before moving to Australia and jointing the Orpheum Theatre orchestra.

He established Australian Educational Films with F.W. Thring, directing a series of educational nature films about the Great Barrier Reef.^[3][4] He later made several documentaries as well as two dramatic feature films. He collaborated throughout his career with his wife Kitty.^[5]

He and Kitty lived for a time on Green Island, acting as a volunteer air observer during World War II.^[6]

Selected filmography

• Secrets of the Sea (1931) - director (documentary)
• The Cliff Dwellers (1932) - director (documentary)
• Coral and its Creatures (1932) - director (documentary)
• Typhoon Treasure (1938) – writer, director
• The Power and the Glory (1941) – writer, director
• Marvels of Miniature (1950) - documentary
• King of the Coral Sea (1954) – underwater photography
• Deep Down Under (1956) - director (TV documentary)
• Coral Kingdom (1958) – director

Writings

• Escape to Adventure (1956)
• From Queensland to the Great Barrier Reef : a naturalist's adventures in Australia (1958)
• Quest for the Curly-Tailed Horses (1962) - autobiography