The 2025 Revelation Perth International Film Festival returns July 2–13 with its signature mix of bold storytelling and boundary-pushing cinema.
Across Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and The Backlot, this year’s program features more than 45 features and documentaries, plus over 100 short films. For local audiences, homegrown WA talent stands tall alongside international heavy hitters, from punk-fuelled rebellion to powerful personal stories, these four picks are unmissable.
“Skeleton Girls. A Kidnapped Society”
A punk-infused indie shot right here in WA, “Skeleton Girls. A Kidnapped Society” is raw, rebellious and unapologetically local. Directed by Richard Eames, the film dives into a grimy, electric world of youth, chaos and identity, blurring the lines between DIY punk and lo-fi noir. It’s loud, urgent and unfiltered, a gritty reminder that the underground is alive and well and that Perth stories can hold their own on any international stage.
WA-made and proudly so, this compelling documentary follows Mana the Polynesian Warrior, a wrestler, community figure and cultural icon. But this is more than a story about sport. “School of Hard Knocks” is a portrait of strength, cultural connection and finding your voice in a world that often misunderstands you. It celebrates resilience, family and the power of telling your own story.
“Fran” (40th Anniversary Screening)
Before streaming platforms and social media hot takes, there was “Fran,” a raw and emotionally charged drama that hit hard when it premiered in 1985. Now, forty years later, Noni Hazlehurst’s unforgettable performance returns to the big screen. Shot in WA and still as powerful as ever, this anniversary screening is a rare chance to revisit a local classic that helped shape Australian screen culture.
Always a crowd favourite, this annual showcase of Western Australian short films delivers big ideas in small packages. “Get Your Shorts On!” is where emerging filmmakers find their voice and where local creativity takes centre stage. Expect stories that are bold, emotional and full of surprise, all told with the kind of energy that makes this event a highlight of the festival.
Check out the full program at www.revelationfilmfest.org.