Revelation Film Festival 2024 delivers a knockout program of features and short films, plus win double in-season passes

The Revelation Perth International Film Festival returns to Perth from July 3-14. Now in its 27th year, this expansive and exciting event will feature cinematic works by independent filmmakers from across the globe – from Cannes to Sundance, Berlin to Rotterdam, and of course from Perth, Sydney and other Australian capitals.

Luna Cinemas is where to be to catch a stack of award-winning features, inciteful documentaries and bold short films in this festival highlight on the WA film and cultural calendar.

Revelation  commenced its life in 1997 in the basement backroom of legendary Perth jazz venue, the Greenwich Club. The festival was designed to showcase ideas “at the front of” contemporary independent films; to find a place for them in an environment dominated by conservative cinema.

Today, the event includes over 200 international films presented at cinemas and bars across Perth and Fremantle. Add to this exhibitions of ‘the moving image’ and the XR:WA games and VR expo, and it’s safe to say Revelation has come a long way.

This year, over 500 films were submitted for selection – from local and international filmmakers across all genres, and the selection board has done a great job in sifting these down to a collection of excellent and diverse projects.

Featured are 30-plus films and documentaries, as well as over 80 short films, in a program that promises to deliver thought-provoking narratives that are sure to resonate with audiences long after credits roll.

Opening the Festival on Wednesday 3 July is feature drama Kid Snow which was shot in Perth and Kalgoorlie, and is set in the 1970s sweat-drenched world of tent boxing. Starring UK actors Billy Howle (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) and Tom Bateman (Death on the Nile), and Australia’s Phoebe Tonkin (Boy Swallows Universe, Westworld), Revelation is thrilled to present the West Australian premiere.

Billy Howle in ‘Kid Snow’ which kicks off this year’s Revelation film festival, pictured above and top of story.

Among the other Australian features are Birdeater – an absurdly stylish and chaotic drama where a bride-to-be is invited to join her fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the outback; Stubbornly Here – a surreal and deadpan look at becoming an adult, shot entirely in black and white; and The Lies We Tell Ourselves – a part mockumentary, part comedy that follows a director trying to complete his art house film; the film, about the film, is the film, and the making of the film. Don’t be confused, just know it’s fun, inventive cinema.

For the full program of local features, international contributions and more, visit the Revelation Perth International Film Festival website or the Luna Palace website.

Antonino Tati

GIVEAWAY!

Courtesy of Revelation Perth International Film Festival, Cream has five double passes to give away, allowing you and friend into one session from the extensive festival program. To try winning a double pass, simply email ‘Revelation 2024’ in the Subject heading to cream@pobox.com and be sure to include your name and postal address in the body of the email. Competition closes 5pm AWST Friday 14 June, 2024.