HomeWhat's On > Spotlight on David Gulpilil at the NFSA

Spotlight on David Gulpilil at the NFSA

Older man and young boy walking through dry fields holding sticks
Two Aboriginal men standing next to two white men in an office
Older man and young boy walking through dry fields holding sticks
Two Aboriginal men standing next to two white men in an office

Overview

Celebrate the extraordinary legacy of David Gulpilil through two powerful films that showcase his enduring screen presence across generations of Australian cinema. Spanning 35 years, The Last Wave (1977) and Satellite Boy (2012) reveal Gulpilil's remarkable ability to embody stories grounded in Country, culture and spirituality.

In Peter Weir's The Last Wave, Gulpilil delivers a captivating performance in a landmark Australian New Wave classic that explores prophecy, cultural collision and competing ways of understanding the world. Decades later, in Catriona McKenzie's Satellite Boy, he gives a deeply affecting performance as Jagamarra, a grandfather guiding a young boy on a journey of identity, resilience and connection to Country in the Kimberley.

Dates

16 Oct 2026
October 2026
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Map of the venue locationMap of the venue location
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia1 McCoy Circuit, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaGet Directions
  • Cafe
  • Carpark
  • Coach Parking
  • Conference/Function Facilities
  • Family Friendly
  • Non Smoking
  • Public Toilet
  • Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
  • Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
  • Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
  • Accessibility statement