Commencing in 1997, Revelation started its life as a quite literally an underground event in the basement back room of the Greenwich Club, at the time Perth's smoothest jazz and music venue. It screened all works purely on 16mm formats and featured live music, poetry and guest presentations. It was designed to showcase a range short, feature, documentary, archival and animated works of a more "exotic" nature that were at point in contemporary underground filmmaking whilst contextualising these works through a variety of curated archival programs highlighting pivotal points independent filmmaking. Since 1997, audience figures for the event have increased at an average rate of 30% each year, rapidly outgrowing the intimate surrounds of the Greenwich Club. Today, the event includes in excess of 100 international films presented over 75 sessions at established cinema and nightclub venues across Perth. Revelation is Australia's fastest growing annual film event with the 2003 event seeing an impressive 60% increase in audiences across the board and an additional 45% increase for 2004. Today it attracts around 10,500 patrons annually and has extended itself to include music, visual arts and associated activity both generated by the event and by independent curators. It sees over 500 films submitted for selection from local and international filmmakers and now includes a special screen conference component. 
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In 2000, the event was invited to participate in the region's oldest Arts festival, the Perth International Arts Festival, in 2001 it was invited to present the public screening component of the Australian International Documentary Conference and since then sees itself as a stand alone event.
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Programmed as part of the Australian film festival season, Revelation works closely with the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane International Film Festivals and a range of Australian screen culture organisations in assisting with program and print sources and curated projects, so filling the gap in the development of a truly national independent screen community.
Revelation was (and still is) seriously concerned with the increasingly conservative nature of film distribution and exhibitionn practice in Australia. It has always sought to deliberately challenge current marketplace practices and biases through progressive screening contexts, focused curation and audience consultation. The event has also always maintained a playful approach to both its programming and audience. Areas of pop and youth culture have always figured heavily in Revelation programs alongside some of the most individual and acclaimed works from the local and international scene. Whatever your taste though, Revelation seeks to challenge audiences and the industry itself with vibrant, individual, unusual, passionate and committed works. The event was founded by Richard Sowada who has since gained a reputation as one of Australia's most respected independent film curators and screen event organisers. He is currently chairman of the Rev board and works as Head of Film Programs for the Australian Centre of the Moving Image in Melbourne, Australia. Rev's 2007 Artistic Director was one one Australia's most well known film critics and documentary filmmakers, Megan Spencer whilst the 2009 and beyond Program Director is acclaimed author, academic and film guru Jack Sargeant. Jack's outstanding 2008 program continued to make Rev one of the most tightly curated and uncompromising annual screen culture events. Just finally, although no longer associated in anything more than spirit, we must acknowledge our founding sponsors REVelation Magazine and its founder Peter Collins. As purveyors of counter and youth culture, REVelation Magazine maintained an energy and powerful connection with its readership, making it arguably one of the country's most progressive publications. Revelation maintains its focus on progressive and inspiring works and embraces audiences of all ages, tastes and backgrounds. Like the films it presents, the event maintains an energy and enthusiasm for the industry quite unlike any other film festival in the country. Aside from that, we just love movies! |
