Horst E. Brandt, born January 17, 1923, in Berlin, graduated from an apprenticeship as a precision mechanic before he started to work as camera operator for DEFA-Spielfilmstudio. In 1954, he made his debut as cinematographer in charge for Slatan Dudow’s film "Stärker als die Nacht". During the following years, he collaborated as a cinematographer with directors like Kurt Maetzig ("Ernst Thälmann – Führer seiner Klasse", 1955) and Heinz Thiel ("Im Sonderauftrag", 1959). Besides his movie work, he was also in charge of the images of Kurt Reisch’s TV series "Gewissen in Aufruhr" (1961).

After working as Heinz Thiel’s assistant director (and his cinematographer at the same time) from 1966 on, Brandt made his debut as a director in 1971 with the World War II drama "KLK an PTX – Die rote Kapelle" ("KLK Calling PTZ – The Red Orchestra"). Until the late 1980s, he finished a series of popular and successful drama and genre films, including "Brandstellen" ("Scenes of Fire", 1978), "Die Kolonie" (1981), or "Der Hut des Brigadiers" (1986). Frequently, Brandt also wrote the screenplays to his films. From the beginning of his career as a filmmaker on, Brandt no longer worked as a cinematographer.

Horst E. Brandt, an SED member since 1947, was awarded with the National Prize of the German Democratic republic for his artistic achievements in 1966, in 1969, and in 1971.

Horst E. Brandt died on August 22, 2009.