Revelation Perth International Film Festival

Overview

Revelation Perth International Film Festival is Western Australia's independent film festival, screening 150+ films across 12 days each July. The 29th edition runs July 8 to 19, 2026, at Luna Cinemas Leederville, Luna on SX Fremantle, and The Backlot Perth. The festival is an official AACTA Awards Qualifying event, meaning award-winning films can receive consideration for Australia's top screen awards.

The 2025 edition (the 28th) programmed 45 features and more than 100 short films, opening with the Ukrainian sci-fi film U Are the Universe. Revelation accepts any genre, subject, nation of origin, or duration - features over 45 minutes and shorts under 45 minutes, plus VR projects. Animation is only accepted in the short film category.

Perth is one of the most geographically isolated major cities in the world - closer to Singapore than to Sydney. This isolation gives Revelation a specific cultural function: providing Western Australian audiences with access to independent and world cinema that would otherwise not screen in the state. The festival has built a dedicated audience that treats the event as a primary cultural outlet rather than a casual entertainment option.

Submission Details

Submissions are made via FilmFreeway. Key details for the 2026 edition:

All submission fees are non-refundable. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway only. The festival accepts feature films (over 45 minutes) and short films (under 45 minutes) in both fiction and narrative categories. VR projects are also accepted. Animation is only accepted as short films.

Competition Sections

• International Program - formally adventurous international features and shorts
• Australian Program - independent Australian cinema across feature and short formats
• Documentary Program - nonfiction features and shorts
• Short Film Competition - Australian and international shorts competing for jury prizes
• Special Events - outdoor screenings, community events, and venue-specific programs at locations including the WA Museum Boola Bardip, State Library of WA, City of Perth Library, and Scitech Planetarium

The festival programs approximately 150+ films total across all sections. The 2025 edition screened 45 features and 100+ shorts.

Awards and Prizes

Revelation is an AACTA Awards Qualifying Film Festival. Award-winning films from the festival are eligible for consideration in AACTA Awards categories. Specific award categories include:

• Best Film - jury prize for the top competition entry
• Audience Award - voted by festival attendees
• Additional category awards - determined by jury across competition sections

The AACTA qualifying status is the most strategically significant element for Australian filmmakers. A win at Revelation can contribute to AACTA consideration, Australia's equivalent of the BAFTA or Academy Awards.

Tickets and Venues

The 2025 festival used the following venues:

• Luna Cinemas Leederville - 155 Oxford St, Leederville (primary venue)
• Luna on SX - 13 Essex St, Fremantle
• The Backlot Perth - 21 Simpson St, West Perth
• WA Museum Boola Bardip - Perth Cultural Centre
• State Library of WA - Perth Cultural Centre
• City of Perth Library - 573 Hay St, Perth
• Scitech Planetarium - City West Centre, Railway St, West Perth

Ticket pricing for 2025:

Revelation Membership is available for queue priority and online ticket redemption.

Festival History

Revelation was founded in 1997 and has operated continuously for 29 editions. The festival was established to provide Perth with an independent cinema event at a time when the city's geographic isolation limited access to international art house and independent film.

The festival has maintained a programming philosophy that favors formally experimental and politically challenging work over more accessible art house fare. This programming approach has distinguished Revelation from other Australian festivals that program broader, more commercial independent cinema.

The City of Vincent Film Project, run in collaboration with Revelation, offers filmmakers a grant of $8,000 AUD ($7,000 cash plus $1,000 in-kind from Raz Rentals) for the production of a non-fiction short film of 10 minutes or less. Previous funded films have covered topics ranging from senior citizens rediscovering dance to the housing crisis affecting young people in Perth.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For Australian filmmakers, the AACTA qualifying status makes Revelation one of the most strategically valuable festivals in Western Australia. A win here can directly contribute to national awards consideration. For international filmmakers, Revelation provides access to a dedicated Australian audience in a market that is otherwise difficult to reach - Perth's isolation means the festival audience is highly engaged with the programming.

The submission fee structure ($40 AUD for shorts, $50 AUD for features) is lower than most North American and European festivals. The late fee surcharge after December 8, 2025 increases the cost, so submitting early is financially advantageous.

Feature films require a Western Australian premiere. If your film has already screened in Perth at another event, it is not eligible. Check the full rules and regulations on FilmFreeway before submitting.

The festival's notification date of May 18, 2026 gives filmmakers approximately 7 weeks notice before the festival begins on July 8. This is a tighter turnaround than larger festivals that notify 3 to 4 months in advance, which can complicate travel and accommodation planning for selected filmmakers.

See Also

Calculate your total festival submission costs and projected return using the Festival ROI Calculator. Estimate your acceptance probability with the Festival Acceptance Odds Estimator. For festival circuit strategy and planning, see Film Festival Strategy. For Australian film industry context, see International Film Markets. Submit through the Revelation FilmFreeway page.