Maia is in charge of the BA (Hons) Creative Media Production programme.

Maia Horniak is an internationally acclaimed director in film/TV and documentaries, with over 15 years of professional industry experience. 

Maia was born in Paris to Czechoslovakian artists who later migrated to Australia. She was one of the youngest filmmakers to be accepted into the world’s most reputable film schools - FAMU, here in Prague - and later completed degrees in Fine Arts and Media Arts at Sydney's University of New South Wales and Copenhagen's Royal Art Academy.

After working as an executive assistant to producers and directors on Universal and Miramax multi-million dollar feature productions in Prague and Los Angeles, Maia went on to complete a MA in film directing at the renowned Australian film, television & radio school (AFTRS) in 2006, where she was awarded the Gilbert & Tobin Award for 'Most Significant & Promising Body of Work'. 

Maia has worked with a number of renowned film production studios and companies, including Stillking (Prague) and Universal, Miramax and MTV (US), and with people such as producer Charles Roven, director Terry Gilliam, and the actors Heath Ledger, Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman.

She is a passionate and inspirational teacher, with many years' experience teaching and designing courses in video, media, directing and performance.

Maia has directed over ten award-winning short films, a television movie, several documentaries, commercials, and music videos. Her short films have had international success, screening at over thirty esteemed international film festivals including Sydney, Palm Springs, Milan, Brooklyn, Brussels, Edmonton, Flickerfest and Cannes, where her film 'Loveproof' was invited to screen in 2007.

Maia is also a highly skilled editor and camera operator, and she has just completed directing, shooting and editing a documentary series "8 Million Steps" around Spain in co-operation with Slow Food International. Maia's first feature film, a romantic comedy "Wake With Me" is currently in the early stages of financing and casting.

Education

MA, AFTRS, Sydney
MA, Royal Denmark Fine Art Academy
BFA, Sydney College of Fine Arts
Diploma of Creative Film Making, FAMU

Professional Activities 

2018-2023 Prague City University - Lecturer/Programme Leader

2015-2017 AFilm International - Barcelona Film School -  Introduction to Filmmaking, lecturer

2006-2013 University of NSW - College of Fine Arts, lecturer

2008-2013 Australian Film Television and Radio School - Foundation Diploma programme, lecturer

2008-2013 National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Sydney - Direction, Acting Studio, Open Program, lecturer

Film and TV - Directing

2014 - 8 Million Steps (documentary series) 

2013 - Hush (short film)

2012 - Love Untitled (short film)

2011 - The Sellers (Network TV film)

2011 - Fear Not (short film)

2006 - Loveproof (short film)

2005 - Sub (short film)

Director's Assistant 

2007 - Home & Away (Channel 7 - TV series)

2006 - The Silence (ABC - TV Series)

2006 - Introducing the Dwights (Miramax)

2003 - Brothers Grimm (Miramax)

2002 - Van Helsing 

 Commercial and Corporate Projects - Directing

Qantas - "Visions" - Corporate - Publicis Mojo Sydney

Nikon Asia - "Fear Not" - Branded Content Short Film - JWT Hong Kong

Macquarie Bank - "One Million Kids" School Banking - Online - The White Agency

Animal Liberation "Cage Eggs" - 2 x 30sec TVC's - Love Communications

Feature Film "The Long Weekend" - EPK/Behind the Scenes - Arclight Productions

The Black Seeds "Make a Move" - Music Video - EMI New Zealand

Crumpler "Airport" - TVC - 12:20 Agency

Cohen et Sabine "She Knows Not What She Is" - Online - Pod Film

Street University - "Volunteers Needed" - TVC & Online - Noffs Foundation

Elvie Jean "Martian Beer" - Music Video - Direct

Sydney Magazine - Hidden Gems - Online Web Series - Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney

Tourism Victoria Australia Open - International TVC - Publics Mojo Melbourne

DVD Anti-Piracy Campaign - Fashion Digital - Asia - Spin Communications

Kids Help Line - TVC - Kids Help Line