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Journey Home, David Gulpilil

Directed by Maggie Miles, Trisha Morton-Thomas
Australia
2025
88 mins
Unclassified 15+
A powerful record of grief, community and ceremony in which the renowned Indigenous actor is laid to rest on his Homeland of Gupulul in Arnhem Land, NT.

A Yolŋu man, David Gulpilil lived a traditional life in the Arafura Swamp before being cast at age 16 in his first film, Walkabout, in 1971. He became an industry trailblazer, always navigating two worlds – although his Yolŋu culture was rarely in the spotlight. Before his death in 2021, Gulpilil’s family promised to lay him to rest at his birthplace of Gulpulul, and guide his spirit back to a sacred waterhole known as Marawuyu. This would prove an epic journey involving planes, boats and helicopters, and months of waiting for the right seasonal conditions. It's the remarkable final chapter of his incredible story, as narrated by Hugh Jackman and cultural storyteller Baker Boy and skilfully chronicled by co-directors Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

Tickets

Thu 12 June 2025, 6:15pm
Past Event
Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 5
Event George St - Cinema 5
WheelchairAssisted Listening
Sun 15 June 2025, 2pm
Past Event
State Library of NSW
State Library of NSW
WheelchairAssisted Listening
See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking, or see our Access & Inclusion page for more information.

Presented By
Documentary Australia
  • Program Strand
    Documentary Australia Award
  • Year
    2025
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    Australia
  • Language
    In English and Yolŋu Matha with English subtitles
  • Director
    Maggie Miles, Trisha Morton-Thomas
  • Producer
    Rachel Clements, Jida Gulpilil, Lloyd Garrawurra, Trisha Morton-Thomas, Maggie Miles
  • Screenwriter
    Maggie Miles, Trisha Morton-Thomas
  • Cinematographer
    Allan Collins
  • Editor
    Bill Murphy
  • Genre
    Arts, Documentary, Australian, First Nations, World Premieres, Film History
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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