His family hails from Wulli Wulli, from Queensland and Arrernte, from Alice Springs. Allan graduated in cinematography from the prestigious Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in 1996. He is an Australian Film Institute (AFI) and Independent Film (IF) award winner for his cinematography on Ivan Sen’s debut feature film Beneath Clouds.

Allan, as the co-director/DOP, was selected for the 2005 Sundance Film Festival with his film Dhakiyarr vs The King in the World Cinema, Documentary competition. In 2007, Allan’s documentary Spirit Stones, was nominated for the Sydney Film Festival’s Dendy Awards in the ‘Most Innovative’ category.

He was the Director of Photography on Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2022), and most recently served as Director of Photography for Journey Home, David Gulpilil (2025).

Allan continues to work throughout Australia on a varied slate of projects, from within his own community, through to mainstream drama, documentary and commercial production.