My Name is Gulpilil

On Monday May 24th, as the sun set in Sydney, over 600 AACTA members and industry gathered at The Ritz in Randwick to celebrate the life of David Gulpilil – at the local AACTA preview of the new Australian documentary MY NAME IS GULPILIL. 

Following the screening was a profound on-stage discussion with a number of Gulpilil’s friends who shared some of their more memorable experiences of him. Including actor, writer and director Leah Purcell, Archibald Prize-winning artist Craig Ruddy, legendary stuntman Grant Page, film & stage director Neil Armfield, and the film’s director Molly Reynolds. 

At times emotional, at other times extraordinarily funny, the memories being shared brought the audience to tears and laughter. Afterwards guests mingled and shared their own stories with each other until late into the night.

AACTA toured the film across the eastern States – taking in Melbourne & Brisbane ­– to a combined audience of over 1000. 

In Melbourne we celebrated being back in cinemas with a near full-house coming out to support the film at Palace Como. Following the screening director Damon Gameau joined actor Gary Sweet and cinematographer Ian Jones to share with audiences some of their personal experiences of David, with Luke Buckmaster (The Guardian).

In Brisbane, local members, students, industry and Indigenous groups attended our first live event back in the State, and stayed on after to listen to director Molly Reynolds talk about her experience making the film, with Sarah Ward (Screen International).

They Sydney in-conversation event was filmed, and we’re making it available to all members to see. DAVID GULPILIL PERSONAL STORIES is available now to watch on AACTA TV.

To attend these events become an AACTA member today. For more information on upcoming member events be sure to email us or subscribe to our newsletter below.

Read this fantastic event wrap, from David Quiery at the Sydney Arts Guide.