Netflix has released the official trailer and key art for A Gorilla Story, confirming that the documentary will premiere globally on April 17, 2026. Narrated by David Attenborough, the film brings together archival material and contemporary footage to trace a story that spans decades.
The project is directed by Academy Award winner James Reed, with Callum Webster serving as co-director, and is produced by Alastair Fothergill alongside Silverback Films in association with Appian Way.
Inside A Gorilla Story on Netflix: David Attenborough Returns to a Defining Encounter
At the center of A Gorilla Story is David Attenborough’s first recorded encounter with a baby gorilla named Pablo. The documentary revisits that moment and follows the lineage of Pablo’s descendants in present-day Rwanda.
The film blends newly captured footage from the mountains of Rwanda with archival material, creating a narrative that connects past observations with current developments within the same gorilla group.
Attenborough narrates the documentary, including excerpts drawn from his journals dating back to 1978. These entries are integrated into the storytelling to provide context and continuity across the timeline presented in the film.
A Gorilla Story Netflix Documentary Focuses on Rwanda’s Gorilla Population
The documentary is set in Rwanda, where Pablo’s descendants are observed in their natural environment. According to the official synopsis, the film presents behavior that has not been previously captured on camera.
The structure of A Gorilla Story combines observational footage with historical perspective, offering a detailed look at how the gorilla group has evolved over time. The narrative draws directly from Attenborough’s earlier experiences and connects them with present-day findings.
Creative Team Behind A Gorilla Story
The documentary is directed by James Reed, known for his work on My Octopus Teacher, and co-directed by Callum Webster. The production is led by Alastair Fothergill, a long-standing figure in nature documentary filmmaking.
Fothergill also serves as an executive producer alongside representatives from both Silverback Films and Appian Way, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, and Phillip Watson.
Amy Thompson is credited as assistant director.
The collaboration between Silverback Films and Appian Way brings together two production entities with established involvement in documentary filmmaking.
Production and Format Details
Silverback Films produces a Gorilla Story in association with Appian Way. The documentary combines contemporary footage with archival recordings, including journal excerpts from Attenborough’s earlier work.
The Poster
Key Details
- Release date: April 17, 2026 (global on Netflix)
- Format: Nature documentary film
- Narrator: David Attenborough
- Director: James Reed
- Co-director: Callum Webster
- Producer: Alastair Fothergill
- Assistant director: Amy Thompson
- Executive producers: Alastair Fothergill (Silverback Films), Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, Phillip Watson (Appian Way)
- Production companies: Silverback Films in association with Appian Way
- Filming location: Rwanda
- Source material: Original documentary based on archival journals and contemporary footage
