Revelation Film Festival announces first films
First highlights include stories of film obsession and 1970s tent boxing, alongside cinematic poetry and children’s animation. As one of Australia’s leading independent screen event since 1997, Revelation champions Australian screen culture and independent filmmaking like no other.
Renowned for its expertly curated program, this year’s Festival runs from 3 – 14 July and promises an exhilarating celebration of independent filmmakers with offerings for audiences of all ages in a line-up that pushes boundaries, challenges the status quo and, most importantly, entertains.
“All of us who are part of Revelation are so proud of what the event stands for and its place on the Australian screen culture scene,” says Festival Director Richard Sowada.
“For close to three decades we’ve looked beyond celebrity and into the heart of the independent creative community to commission new works, platform emerging voices and champion critical perspectives that make a difference to individuals, communities and artforms. This festival is a rare breed, and we can’t wait to bring it to screens across Perth and Fremantle. ”
Festival organisers are pleased to reveal the first highlights for Rev ’24:
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, Outlaw King and On Chesil Beach) and Tom Bateman (Behind Her Eyes, Thirteen Lives, Death on the Nile), alongside Australia’s Phoebe Tonkin (Boy Swallows Universe, Westworld, Safe Harbour), and an ensemble cast including Mark Coles Smith, Tasma Walton, Shaka Cook and Hunter Page-Lochard, Rev is thrilled to present the West Australian premiere of KID SNOW on Wednesday 3 July at Luna Cinemas Leederville. Tickets are available online now at www.revelationfilmfest.org.
Paying tribute to the iconic video store in New York City that inspired a generation of cinephiles before it mysteriously closed its doors and sent its legendary film archive to a small Sicilian village for “safekeeping” is KIM’S VIDEO; a documentary told with gonzo charm that chronicles the rise and fall of a beloved institution.
Additional documentaries include MOGWAI – IF THE STARS HAD A SOUND; which follows the cult post-rock Scottish band as they create their 10th studio album at the height of Covid and YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE YESTERDAY; a poetic homage to Australia’s early surf culture featuring Tim Winton, Wayne Lynch, Bob McTavish, Alby Falzon, Evelyn Rich, Maurice Cole and many more that combines hundreds of hours of lovingly restored 16mm footage with a salt-infused soundscape of Headland to form a cinematic poem telling the story of a wild community who took up the coast and discovered a whole new way to live.
A slapstick absurdist American comedy about a 19th century drunken applejack salesman who must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers, the silent black-and-white feature HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is completely bonkers and brilliant at the same time, masterfully mixing modern fast paced comedic sensibilities with old fashioned physical humour.
Sticking true to Rev’s reputation of boundary pushing cinema, is Bruce La Bruce’s low-budget romp THE VISITOR; set in contemporary London against the backdrop of racist politics, the film pays homage to Pier Polo Pasolini’s sexually provocative last feature ‘TEROREMA’. The cheeky Canadian writer/director is renowned for employing conventional storytelling narratives into his sexually explicit, avant-garde films, and this one is no exception.
Locally made animation PENCILHEAD’S KIDS CLUB- SAFARI SO GOOD offers up something for younger audiences and is based on the educational online series and colour books. The PENCILHEAD gang is a special group of friends featuring the voices of Peter Rowsthorn, Gina Williams and is co-written by Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle.
Rev also welcomes the return of the INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ANIMATION EXPLOSION; a specially curated collection of family friendly international short animations from all corners of the globe that are perfect for all ages – including those who have never been to the movies before, running on Sunday 7 and 14 July at the State Library of Western Australia. Tickets are free for kids up to 16 and just $10 for adults.
As always, the Festival closes with the annual celebration of WA’s talented emerging filmmakers at the popular GET YOUR SHORTS ON! with the CITY OF VINCENT FILM PROJECT and LIFE IN PICTURES Special Event on Sunday 14 July.
The full programme for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival 2024 will be revealed later in May.
Tickets for Opening Night and Get Your Shorts On! are on sale now via the Luna Palace website.
Revelation is supported by the Australian and West Australian governments through Screenwest, Lotterywest, Screen Australia and the City of Vincent.