Outrageous animation, genre-defining horror, poetic coming-of-age tales, restored cinematic landmarks. Welcome to Revelation Perth International Film Festival, 2025.
This July, Rev boasts a line-up of more than 45 features and documentaries, and more than 100 short films. The offering delves into diverse narratives, innovating storytelling and cinematic artistry and offering a platform for established and emerging filmmakers.
“As usual we’ve gone all the way in bringing the very best new and classic international cinema to WA audiences,” Festival Director Richard Sowada says. “This year’s programme features everything from sweaty punk realism and psychedelic cult journeys to iconic restorations to animations exploding with colour and power and some of the most acclaimed films direct from the international festival scene. It’s global conversation told through the language of film.”
In the realm of feature film, a stand-out includes ‘Eddington’, a contemporary Western black comedy from Director Ari Aster. Set during COVID-19, it delves into themes of political polarisation, misinformation and societal unrest.
'The End'
Another highlight, ‘Mr Burton’, is a British biological drama delving into the formative years of Welsh actor Richard Burton. Plus, there’s the directorial debut of Ariane Labed, known for her roles in ‘The Lobster’ and ‘The Souvenir: Part II’ – ‘September Says’.
Elsewhere in the feature film programme, there’s ‘U Are The Universe’, opening Rev 2025 telling the story of a space trucker who becomes the last human in the universe after earth’s unexpected explosion. Animated musical comedy ‘Spermageddon’ follows two sperm on their journey to fertilise an egg. ‘The End’, set in an underground bunker two decades after the world’s end, follows a wealthy family whose daily life is disrupted by the mysterious appearance of a young woman.
Plus, genre-bending horror ‘Pater Noster And The Mission Of The Light’ follows a young record store clerk who discovers a rare vinyl LP and is drawn to the world of a 1970s hippie commune; Rev marks the 40th anniversary of ‘Fran’, starring Noni Hazlehurst as the titular heroine; ‘Alice In The Cities’ is beautifully restored in 4K; and ‘The American Friend’ is a cult adaptation of Ripley’s Game starring Dennis Hopper and Bruno Ganz.
The documentary programme is once again rich with diverse voices, and poignant themes. . . From intimate personal journeys to wide-reaching cultural inquiries.
‘Abebe: Butterfly Song’ is a musical and cultural odyssey following artist David Bridie uncovering the origins a song which changed his life; ‘Chain Reactions’ delves into the far-reaching cultural consequences of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’; music drives ‘Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story’, chronicling the life of the trailblazing singer and actress; 'The Extraordinary Miss Flower' brings a strikingly personal narrative to life through a fusion of archival love letters and contemporary performance; and ‘Zodiac Killer Project’ puts an investigative lens on myth, media, and America’s most infamous unresolved mystery.
'Exorcismo'
Short films are at the heart of Revelation Perth International Film Festival. Audiences can expect to see more than 100 short works (including close to 40 from Australian filmmakers) screening across thematic showcases and events like the Experimental, Horror, Sci-Fi and Short Docs showcases, and events like Westralia Day, Get Your Shorts On!, and the City Of Vincent Film Project.
Wimmin’s Work is a new collection of audio, audio-visual and photographic stories documenting Western Australian women, by early career and re-emerging female creatives.
Families, and lovers of animation, can look forward to International Family Animation Explosion, a vibrant collection of animated shorts from around the globe.
So whether it’s personal storytelling, groundbreaking form, local gems or international visions that bring you into the film world, Revelation Perth International Film Festival’s 2025 programme presents something for everyone and is a glimpse into the future of film.
Check out the full programme.
Revelation Perth International Film Festival 2025 is on from 2-13 July.
