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Oct 2020
Photo of Dawn Swane in Cinderella, circa 1950s

Dawn Swane

Production designer Melinda Doring has donated her mother's unique collection of home movies, including never-before-seen footage of The Beatles.

By Tara Marynowsky / 29 Oct 2020
Documents
Film
Photographs
Television
Aug 2020
Crowd of teenagers at the Battle of the Sounds competition.

Battle of the Sounds

In the late 1960s and early 70s, up-and-coming rock bands looked to find fame and win big by competing in the ultimate contest – Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds.

By Nick Henderson / 21 Aug 2020
Photographs
Radio
Sound
Mar 2020
A rose-pink tinted image of a woman looking off into the distance.

The McDonagh Sisters

For International Women's Day, we present a portrait of the pioneering Australian filmmakers, the McDonagh Sisters – Isabel, Paulette and Phyllis.

By Graham Shirley / 4 Mar 2020
Film
Photographs
Nov 2019
Album cover for mental As Anything's record 'Get Wet' with a hyper saturated colour photo of the band members.

Get Wet

In November 1979, Australian band Mental As Anything released their debut album 'Get Wet' and launched a long career.

By Sean O'Brien / 27 Nov 2019
Oral History
Posters
Sound
Television
Mar 2019
Close-up of a vinyl record

Introducing Lillian Roxon

Australian journalist Lillian Roxon was one of the first to take rock and punk music seriously.

By Beth Taylor / 4 Mar 2019
Photographs
Radio
Jan 2019
Donald Bradman batting in front of wickets while a film crew films him from behind

Donald Bradman: film actor

Sir Donald Bradman is recognised internationally as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, but did you know he also briefly acted in a movie?

By Jeff Wray / 21 Jan 2019
Film
Photographs
Popstar and TV personality Jimmy Hannan walking down the aisle at the Sydney Stadium with a crowd of people around him.

Jimmy Hannan: a winning smile

Vale Jimmy Hannan, who passed away on 7 January 2019, at the age of 84. We celebrate his life and work, and acknowledge his kind donation to the NFSA.

By Beth Taylor / 8 Jan 2019
Photographs
Sound
Television
Oct 2018
The Sydney Opera House is festooned with red ribbons. There are many boats on the water in front of it.

Sydney Opera House Opening

Photographs, news and home movie footage capture the excitement of the opening of the Sydney Opera House, 45 years ago on 20 October 1973.

By Beth Taylor / 16 Oct 2018
Film
Photographs
Television
Sep 2018
Women in swimsuits lounging on a film set made to look like a beach.

A Portrait of Pearl

Jennifer Coombes explores the life of Pearl Schweig, an actress from the 1930s Cinesound casting books who features in the exhibition Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits.

By Jennifer Coombes / 10 Sep 2018
Film
Object
Photographs

Wirth's Circus home movies

Film curator Tara Marynowsky looks at a preserved collection of 16mm home movies of Wirth's Circus and the family that ran it.

By Tara Marynowsky / 10 Sep 2018
Film
Photographs