1946 | DCP | AUS | D: Ken G Hall

This biographical drama directed by early Australian film industry legend Ken G. Hall traces the short and remarkable life of Australian aviator Charles “Smithy” Kingsford Smith. The film follows his record-breaking flights to his final disappearance.

Combining re-enactment with a strong sense of national pride, Smithy presents aviation as both daring spectacle and personal obsession.

Directed by Australian film pioneer Ken G. Hall – On Our Selection (1932) and Dad and Dave Come to Town (1938) – the film reflects mid-century Australia’s fascination with technological progress and heroism. It offers a portrait of ambition, risk and legacy that helped shape the country’s cinematic identity.

‘Hall’s Smithy helped consolidate the bush legend and the aviator myth into a single national narrative, turning biography into a form of cinematic nation-building.’ - Raymond Longford, Australian Cinema: The First Eighty Years

Presented in partnership with Friends of the NFSA.
Friends of the NFSA members will introduce the intriguing collection backstory of this title prior to the screening and be available for a Q&A afterwards.

 Digital screening from the NFSA collection.

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March

Sat 14 Mar

2:00 PM

Price

$8 (+$1.50 booking fee)

Arc Cinema

1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601

Information

Transport

Accessibility

We are situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the grounds of the Australian National University. Just a 10-minute walk from the city and state bus interchanges.

BY BUS - WEEKDAYS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 5.30am to 11.00pm weekdays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
ON THE NUMBER 53
Route 53 runs between National Museum Lennox Crossing and Dickson Shops Cowper Street on average every 30 minutes from 7.00am to 10.10pm weekdays. Bus alights at Liversidge St behind the NFSA.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

BY BUS - WEEKENDS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 7.00am to 9.00pm weekends and public holidays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

PARKING

There is dedicated visitor parking on the premises between McCoy Circuit and Ellery Cresent (paid parking, up to three hours). There is also limited free parking surrounding the building on Liversidge Street.
We recommend using public transport in peak times.

Accessible parking is available off McCoy Circuit.
Wheelchair/accessible access via Liversidge Street.