A documentary that follows the star of the film "The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith" in a journey across northern Australia is the first Indigenous documentary to be officially selected for the Cannes Film Festival.

The 25-minute film "Yellow Fella" follows Tom E Lewis on a 4,000-kilometre journey during which he describes a life that is eerily similar to the one he portrayed in the Fred Schepsi film that premiered in competition at Cannes in 1978.

Mr Lewis talks about straddling two cultures, between his mother from southern Arnhem Land and his father, a Welsh stockman he never knew.

The documentary follows his search for his father's final resting place.

The film was directed by Ivan Sen, best known for the feature film "Beneath Clouds".

It will screen in official selection at Cannes next month.