2023 | DCP | AUS | D: Michael Dillon 

‘Big Ben’ on Heard Island looms over 500 meters taller than Mount Kosciusko. A glacier-ringed Antarctic volcano that stands in Australian territory, this gargantuan peak has seen multiple attempts to reach its summit – including the legendary 1963 expedition led by Bill Tilman.

From the stunning 16mm expedition footage and musical score to the quirky humour of the crew and the utter boldness of their quest, this award-winning documentary is one of the least known yet most audacious real-life adventure tales of the 20th century.

In 2020, the NFSA assisted by scanning over 11,000 feet of unedited film, providing the filmmakers with digital 2k files so that this footage could be used for The Great White Whale.

Join us for a post-screening Q&A with filmmaker and adventurer Michael Dillon.

Michael Dillon
Michael’s 50 years of award-winning adventure filmmaking have included projects with Sir Edmund Hillary, Tim Macartney-Snape, Tim Cope and many others. In 2022, he was awarded the Grand Prize for lifetime achievement by the International Federation of Mountain Film, the first time anyone from the Southern hemisphere has been so honoured.

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October

Mon 14 Oct

6:00 PM

Price

$20 Full / $17 Concession

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.