The Territory Government has invested $150,000 into a new documentary to be filmed and produced in the Northern Territory titled, Journey Home – David Gulpilil.

The film is expected to inject a minimum of $480,000 into the NT economy across employment and goods and services and will showcase the rich Aboriginal culture of East Arnhem Land to viewers across Australia.

David Gulpilil Rinydjimirrilil Dhalthangu AM, a Yolŋu man of the Mandhalpungu clan, was a ground-breaking actor, dancer, singer and painter, and one of Australia’s most outstanding Indigenous actors.

Journey Home – David Gulpilil, is the story of Gulpilil’s journey home after his passing in 2021, back to his birthplace. The centrepiece is his Bäpurru ceremony in Marwuyu homelands near the Arafura Swamp and remote community of Ramingining, Eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Journey Home - David Gulpilil will be distributed in cinemas nationally by Madman Entertainment and will broadcast on NITV in late 2024.

The documentary is being produced by NT production companies Savage Films NT and Brindle Films.

The Northern Territory Government has also awarded $40,000 in Story Development Grants to five local screen practitioners through the 2023-24 Screen Territory Funding Program,  which features a Cyclone Tracy documentary, and a quiz masters series.

The funding supports and assists NT screen practitioners to creatively develop distinctive Territory stories that will appeal to national and global audiences.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory Government is proud to be supporting emerging and established NT screen practitioners to share our unique Territory stories. Our Screen Territory Funding Program continues to strengthen and expand opportunities for our NT screen sector and share our stories to the world.

“We are proud to have supported this film A Journey Home. David Gulpilil AM was one of Australia’s most outstanding Indigenous actors and it will be poignant to see the story of his journey home to East Arnhem Land on our screens later this year.

“Supporting productions like Journey Home –David Gulpilil, is integral to growing our local screen industry - creating work for local businesses and opportunities for local screen practitioners here in the NT as well as supporting our incredible storytellers and creative talents”

Quote from Jida Gulpilil, eldest son:

“My father took our Yolŋu culture and introduced our people to the world. Once he became a movie star he walked between two worlds, but in the end, we brought him back to Gulpulul, to fulfil his final wishes. He also wanted to share that part of his story with the world, and we’re doing this, through this documentary.”

Quote from Directors Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas:

“Following the journey of the late David Gulpilil as he was welcomed back by his loving family, who battled huge logistical challenges to return him to his homeland, has been an extraordinary journey for us and we are so proud to be working with his family to share with the world, the final chapter of his incredible story.”