The 2025 program for Revelation Film Festival is packed with some really interesting features and documentaries as the festival enters its 27th year.
From next Wednesday July 2 to July 13, Luna Leederville, on SX, and The Backlot in Perth host over 200 international films alongside a host of WA-based productions that show off our talented up-and-comers.
The team at Revelation have compiled their list of fast-sellers and must-sees that you won’t want to miss on their 2025 calendar. Here’s what you need to know.
Tickets are on sale, so book now to avoid missing out!
The Top 10 Films
1. Eddington
Date: Jul 5, 12
Fresh from its Cannes debut, Eddington is set to be the standout of Revelation, with tickets selling fast at both Luna Leederville and on SX. Hereditary director Ari Aster works with a star-studded cast for this must-see neo-Western.
In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbour is pitted against neighbour in fictional Eddington, New Mexico.
Set during the Covid-19 pandemic, the film explores themes of political polarization, misinformation and societal unrest, starring Phoenix, Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler. This film is thought-provoking, and even more relevant in our changing world.
2. Mr. Burton
Date: July 3, 10, 11
Mr. Burton tells the story of the special relationship between Richard Jenkins and his teacher and mentor Phillip Burton.
Through the course of their relationship, we see the 17-year old Jenkins transform from a young dreamer into what was to become Wales’ greatest acting talent and one of the biggest stars of international cinema, Richard Burton.
Filled with great art direction, crisp photography and authentic performances, Mr. Burton contains tons of surprising depth for the film lover and a very rewarding big screen experience.
3. U ARE THE UNIVERSE
Date: July 2
Andriy Melnyk is a space trucker returning to Earth in this Ukranian sci-fi flick, but he’s made the last human in the universe when the Earth suddenly explodes–or so he thought. He gets a message from Catherine, a French woman on a distant space station… despite the obstacles, Andriy decides to find her.
The film was awarded at Thessaloniki Film Festival, Film Festival Cottbus, Leeds International Film Festival, and Trieste Science + Fiction Festival.
U Are the Universe combines science fiction and comedy to create a poignant exploration of what it means to be human.
4. Skeleton Girls: A Kidnapped Society
Date: July 10, 12
Skeleton Girls: A Kidnapped Society takes us through contemporary Australia, in a chaotic indie-punk tale that boasts a label of 100% made in WA.
We follow Anna Kaiser after a fatal incident, on the run and pursed by 24-hour TV. As events unfold Anna finds herself drawn into the dark underbelly in a world populated by girl gangs and louts, but then there’s the Rats Nest…
Fans of Run Lola Run, Suburbia, Subway, Repo Man and Green Room will be impressed, and the aesthetics of the visuals and audio speak for themselves. Original and WA-made, you can’t go past Skeleton Girls.
5. Chain Reactions
Date: July 11
Chain Reactions reminisces on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, via thorough interviews and commentary with fans—and what’s more, the film will be screened one-night only, as a double-feature with the original 1974 film.
Through conversations with Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicolas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama, Chain Reactions explores the film’s impact and value from personal perspectives, offering insights into everything from the film’s aesthetic to the audience, and the wider cultural impact.
Fans of classic horror will be delighted, but any film buff would enjoy the film’s investigation into how and why we watch movies, and film culture as a whole.
6. Pavements
Date: July 6, 12
This rock documentary pushes the boundaries of the form, producing not only an interesting but constantly entertaining film.
The film follows the creation of American indie-rock group Pavement, the filming of the biopic Range Life (starring Joe Keery of Stranger Things fame), the creation of Pavement jukebox musical Slanted! Enchanted!, and of course a Pavement museum.
Docufiction is experimental, and Pavements fits the brief. The documentary is reapproached and reimagined expertly, but under it all, the story of Pavement shines through.
7. School of Hard Knocks
Date: July 12
Director Cris Broadhurst paints a biographical portrait of Mana The Polynesian Warrior in School of Hard Knocks.
Another documentary, the film follows the development of Mana’s interest in wrestling, his move to the US and pursuit of a career, and his eventual role as the New Horizon Pro Wrestling owner. Broadhurst masterfully juxtaposes Mana’s career growth with the story of Mana’s disability, making for a heartfelt story that beautifully represents Mana and the community that surrounds him.
School of Hard Knocks is being screened as part of Westralia Day, a special event ran by Revelation Film Festival that focuses on showcasing Western Australian productions at The Backlot, Perth. For one screening only, if you’d like to support local talent, this film entirely produced in WA is where it’s at.
8. Else
Date: July 7, 12
This striking body horror film serving as Thibault Emin’s feature directorial debut ruminates on connection, intimacy, and bodily autonomy throughout its runtime. After a one-night stand, Anx and Cass are quarantined together when an epidemic takes over – one that fuses bodies and their surroundings.
The cinematography is stunning, with colour playing a huge role, and not to mention the intense practical effects that leave you incredulous. Both unpredictable and sophisticated in purpose, Else will leave you wide-eyed and utterly entertained.
9. Exit Medea
Date: July 5, 7
Another one for horror fans, Exit Medea sees the reimagining of the Greek myth of Medea as a horror road movie.
Those familiar with the myth will be stoked with its envisioning by director Tony Paraskeva, as he depicts poetic language and genre through a mythic realm teeming with violence and blood sacrifice. Even those unaware of Medea’s story will enjoy themselves, as the story stands up strongly through the amazing performances of our lead actors.
Torn between love and family, Medea is driven to extremes, and paired with the gorgeous cinematography and a high-concept approach, the audience is left in admiration and enthralled in the film.
10. Things We Said Today
Date: July 3, 5
Director Andrei Ujica is the creative mind behind Things We Said Today, a Beatles documentary to silence the others in its innovation. Home movie footage and newsreels contextualise a weekend in New York with the band in 1965. What follows is an exploration of young fan experiences, and the band’s place in a changing and tumultuous era.
Rather than a musical or concert movie, Ujica pulls off a balancing act that provides space for the band itself, and for the Beatlemania that followed, shaping a generation of fans.
The film is experimental as it is appreciative, and a must-see for Rev 2025.
