2026 Film Program Coming Soon!
The 2026 program details are launching on May 27 2026. Here’s what’s coming your way:
25 x International Narrative Features
Revelation presents a curated selection of international narrative feature films spanning arthouse discoveries, underground sensations, queer cinema, social justice stories, cult and genre works, hybrid filmmaking and films about filmmaking itself, championing distinctive directorial voices and bold cinematic visions rarely seen in commercial cinemas.
27 x Documentary Features
Revelation is renowned for its documentary program, presenting urgent, inventive and internationally acclaimed nonfiction cinema that explores politics, music, art, identity, the environment, activism, history and contemporary culture through bold, challenging and cinematic approaches to storytelling.
Community Competitions & Special Projects
Life in Pictures
Life in Pictures is Revelation’s statewide community filmmaking initiative challenging ageism and celebrating the richness, complexity and adventure of growing older through the power of cinema. Open to filmmakers of all ages and experience levels — from under-17s and emerging creators to mid-lifers and 60+ storytellers — participants are invited to create bold and imaginative three-minute short films exploring themes of positive ageing, identity, memory, connection and intergenerational experience.
More than a competition, Life in Pictures is a powerful platform for community storytelling and creative expression, sparking conversations across generations and reshaping how ageing is seen and understood. Supported by free filmmaking workshops and mentorship opportunities, the initiative culminates in a major closing night screening at Luna Leederville, where shortlisted films premiere to packed audiences and category winners receive $1,000 cash prizes. Through humour, honesty, experimentation and personal storytelling, Life in Pictures reveals ageing not as decline, but as one of life’s most profound and universal human experiences.
City of Vincent Film Competition
Now celebrating its 10th year, the City of Vincent Film Project is a unique community filmmaking initiative supporting emerging Western Australian filmmakers to create original short documentaries inspired by the people, places, culture and history of the City of Vincent.
Through funding, mentorship and professional support, the project nurtures new creative voices while building a vibrant cinematic portrait of one of Perth’s most dynamic communities.
More than 20 films have been produced through the initiative, with many screening internationally and receiving festival awards, demonstrating the power of local storytelling to resonate far beyond the community in which it was created.
Importantly, the project connects audiences with authentic, homegrown stories while strengthening community identity, creative participation and grassroots screen culture.
Get Your Shorts On - short film themed showcases
Short film has always been at the heart of Revelation. It is where new voices emerge, where creative risks are taken, and where the most immediate and inventive forms of storytelling can be found. Through carefully curated programs, Revelation creates space for short cinema that might otherwise sit outside mainstream exhibition, giving it context, audience and celebration on the big screen.
WA Shorts & Local Voices
Western Australian filmmakers are central to Revelation’s identity and ongoing commitment to building a sustainable local screen culture. This curated showcase presents WA-made short films and independent works from emerging and established filmmakers, providing a vital platform for local stories to be seen, shared and celebrated within a national and international festival context.
Experimental & Moving Image Culture
Revelation champions film as an art form in constant evolution. This program highlights experimental cinema, artist moving image work, hybrid forms and expanded screen practices that challenge conventional storytelling. By presenting these works in a curated cinematic environment, the festival supports creative risk-taking and ensures formally innovative and boundary-pushing works reach engaged audiences.
First Nations Cinema
Revelation is committed to elevating First Nations voices through thoughtfully curated screenings that centre Indigenous storytelling, culture, resistance and contemporary experience. This program provides a platform for First Nations filmmakers locally and internationally, fostering visibility, dialogue and deeper audience engagement through cinema.
Free Children’s Animation & Family Programs
Designed as an accessible entry point into the world of cinema, this program presents curated international animation and family-friendly short films that inspire imagination, creativity and curiosity. By programming these works within the festival context, Revelation encourages early engagement with screen culture and shared viewing experiences for younger audiences and families.
