David Gulpilil to receive film's highest honour

The late icon of cinema will be honoured two-fold next week, with celebrations occurring inside and outside the Sydney Opera House.

David Dalaithngu at the 2015 AACTA Awards in Sydney. He will be honoured by the academy next Wednesday. Source: AAP

David Gulpilil will be remembered and celebrated next week as the country continues to mourn his passing. 

Perhaps the greatest cinematic star Australia has produced, the late Yolngu actor passed away Monday after several years battling lung cancer. 

Gulpilil (as his family have allowed him to be known again) will receive a lifetime achievement award, the Longford Lyell Award for "truly outstanding contributions" to the film industry.

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts event will be held at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday.

As the actor is honoured inside the building, he will celebrated outside of it as well, with his image to be projected onto the famous sails in his memory. 

Among those paying tribute to him at the awards will be Jack Thompson, Rachel Perkins, Baz Luhrmann, Hugh Jackman, Phil Noyce and Leah Purcell.

Picked at just 16 years old for his dancing and hunting skills to appear in classic film Walkabout, the actor became known for his roles in other classics like The Last Wave, Ten Canoes, and Crocodile Dundee.