A colourfully queer child from the very beginning, Benn Jae began his creative journey at the Conservatorium of Music in Australia, studying a Bachelor of Music. He then side-stepped into fashion with session styling for music celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Paula Abdul, M.I.A, Joe Manganiello and Cyndi Lauper. His love for fashion continued to grow and his stellar reputation took him to the fashion runways of New York, Paris, London, Milan and finally Los Angeles.

Working under world-renowned photographers like David LaChapelle and Patrick Demarchelier, Jae was inspired to explore fashion photography. His transition to still photography was seamless. With such a cinematic feel to his fashion photography, it was only a matter of time before Jae was approached by Universal Music and asked to try his hand at directing – the area for which he’s now best-known. Jae moved back to his homeland of New Zealand and has been directing ever since.

Benn Jae has directed music videos for renowned Australian and New Zealand music-makers including The Veronica's, Stan Walker, Gin Wigmore, Boy and Bear, Dannii Minogue and Vera Blue (to name but a few). Jae’s music videos for Jessica Mauboy ‘Little Things’ and Havanna Browns ‘Run the Night’ was announced as a finalist for Best Video at the Australian Aria Music Awards 2019.

His meteoric rise to directing success within the music industry has come from his blending of music and fashion backgrounds, plus a solid understanding of the craft. Jae has also had commercial success directing TVC's for advertising greats including Clemenger BBDO, Saatchi and Saatchi, AJF Partnership, McCann and BWM.

Jae’s festival debut short film ‘THE HUNTED' was selected as Best Short Film Finalist at the Academy Award qualifying Saint Kilda Film Festival 19 (Australia) and Maryland Film Festival 19 (US). Jae was also recently awarded Best Director (for the film) at the New Vision Film Festival 19 (Netherlands) and Around International Film Festival 19 (Paris, France and Berlin, Germany). His film was most recently selected for Chelsea Film Festival 19 (NYC, US), Lift-Off 20 (Los Angeles, US), Hollywood Horror Festival 19 (Los Angeles, US).

Benn Jae’s multi-disciplinary approach has certainly contributed to his success. His strong play on cinema is read across his designs, imagery, and his unique crossover (film/stills platform) mark Jae as a rising kiwi talent.