Revelation & XR:WA Festival Director
Brief info
As a passionate lover of all aspects of the film industry, Sowada has developed a national reputation as one of WA’s (and Australia’s) most active screen culture practitioners. His expertise includes extensive work over two decades in production, distribution, exhibition, curation, event management, strategic planning, project assessment and board participation.
He was founder of the Revelation Perth International Film Festival in 1997 and was Head of Film Programs at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne from 2007 - 2015.
He was also co-Director of the 23rd Brisbane International Film Festival, Artistic Director of the nationally touring American Essentials film festival and curator of the Melbourne Design Week film program 2019 & 20 and curator of the 2019 Melbourne International Jazz Festival film program.
Sowada's other curatorial work includes programs on behalf of the NFSA, Screenwest, Melbourne Music Week amongst others.
Sowada is committed to the development of Australian audiences and the embracing of unique industry practices that assist Australia in cementing its place as a centre for innovative and individual screen industry practice across all areas.
He recently completed a Masters degree at UTS examining the impact of Frank Capra's WW2 propaganda films on found footage cinema.