From outrageous animation and genre-defining horror to poetic coming-of-age tales and restored cinematic landmarks, the 2025 Revelation Perth International Film Festival has announced its full program, running July 2 – 13 at Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and The Backlot.
Boasting a lineup of more than 45 features and documentaries and more than 100 short films, this year’s program delves into diverse narratives, innovating storytelling and cinematic artistry, offering a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers and confirming Rev’s place as one of the most daring and diverse film festivals down under.
“As usual the festival has gone all the way in bringing the very best new and classic international cinema to WA audiences,” says Festival Director Richard Sowada. “This year’s program 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. Its global conversation told through the language of film.”
Feature films range from deeply intimate stories to genre-bending visual spectacles. A standout in this year’s feature lineup, Eddington is a contemporary Western black comedy from director Ari Aster. Set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, during the CV19 pandemic, the film delves into themes of political polarization, misinformation and societal unrest and stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler.
Another poignant highlight of this year’s program, Mr Burton is a British biological drama delving into the formative years of Welsh actor Richard Burton, starring Harry Lawtey and Toby Jones.
The directorial debut of Ariane Labed, known for her roles in The Lobster and The Souvenir: Part II, and adapted from Daisy Johnson’s novel Sisters, September Says, delves into the complex and unsettling bond between two sisters grappling with isolation and psychological tension, the narrative unfolds with surreal and gothic undertones that have drawn comparisons to the works of Shirley Jackson and Stephen King.
Revelation’s commitment to platforming local stories is stronger than ever, with Western Australian content threaded throughout the program and spotlighted in signature events like Westralia Day, Get Your Shorts On! and the City of Vincent Film Project, a collaboration that nurtures and celebrates emerging filmmakers. First Nations voices take centre stage in a dedicated First Nations showcase – honouring storytelling traditions and contemporary experiences through a wide array of compelling lenses. And Wimmin’s Work, a new collection of audio, audio-visual and photographic stories documenting Western Australian women, by early career and re-emerging female creatives, captures the historical and contemporary experiences of women living and working in WA as part of a paid content and mentoring opportunity in partnership with Women in Media WA, and thanks to the support of the Department of Communities Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future.
Families and animation lovers can look forward to the return of the International Family Animation Explosion, a vibrant collection of animated shorts from around the globe designed to delight audiences of all ages with whimsy, colour, and unexpected emotional depth.
Whether you’re drawn to deeply personal storytelling, groundbreaking form, local gems or international visions, the short film program at Revelation offers a rich and rewarding entry point into the future of film. Each session is a testament to the power of the short form – and a reminder that some of the biggest ideas come in the smallest packages.
The full program is online at www.revelationfilmfest.org.
