Regarded as one of Australia’s most lively and experimental film festivals, Revelation Perth International Film Festival has captured audiences since its inception in 1997. From humble beginnings, the festival name has gone on to cover a range of original events programming – such as immersive new media exhibitions, moving image installations and good old-fashioned talks and discussions on everything screen culture.
Revelation History – From the Basement to the Big Screen
For Revelation, it all started in the basement club of His Majesty’s Theatre. With Jazz pouring from the stage at Greenwich Club, a group of frustrated film devotees wanted to revive film appreciation in the midst of conservative film culture. Spearheaded by founder Richard Sowada, now Festival Director, the festival garnered the interest of other gamely film buffs across the country, and gradually a festival of daringly artistic films emerged.
Each July the festival takes over the Art Deco-styled Luna Leederville cinema for two weeks – giving viewers the satisfying impression of old theatre mixed with new cinema, and a creative exchange between the historic and experimental. In this setting, the festival screens over 120 new and classic films from international cinema, making it the foremost display of global screen culture in Perth.
XR: WA – A Futurist Feast
As part their evolving programing, Revelation also presents the truly revelatory XR:WA – a series of events showcasing digital film art and screen immersion experiences. Central to its mission is to break through the traditional barriers between cinema, art, technology and science to produce a breathtaking display of augmented reality.
At XR:WA special events, viewers have the opportunity to explore new innovations in VR and artificial reality. The acclaimed street artist Rone will be presenting his interactive art gallery 360’ Rone – a sumptuous VR tour of the artist’s studio and his grand murals. Game enthusiasts will be glad to hear of Play Up Perth, an exhibition of locally developed games for serious testing and frivolous play. Other events include VR exhibitions, visual installations, and expert workshops.
The Revelation Film Festival 2019 will run from 4 – 17 July, with XR:WA running in conjunction from 6 – 14 July.
