Every year, a selection of international film festivals showcasing cinema from across the world come to Perth, alongside some key home-grown film festivals championing local and Australian-made film. From action-packed features to insightful documentaries, this year’s film festivals continue to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.
Still from Miss Marx
Revelation Film Festival (July 1 - 11)
Prepare to be intrigued as one of the most exciting annual film festivals returns to our screens for its 24th year. Running from July 1 - 11, Revelation Film Festival will showcase some of the best independent films across the globe, spanning documentaries, features, and short films. Revelation’s program of thought-provoking films hopes to spark conversation among viewers of all ages and backgrounds. With over 35 features and documentaries, this year’s festival will also feature artwork by Marc-o-Matic, acclaimed artist, animator, and interactive designer. Read more about the festival
here and explore the full program
here.
Still from Next Door
German Film Festival (June 3 - 20)
Celebrating creativity and diversity within German cinema, the German Film Festival presented by Palace Cinemas runs from June 3 – 20. The epic program features 27 Australian premieres, box office hits and award-winning dramas directly from this year’s Berlinale film festival. With an exciting line up of films that span several genres, this is an event the film community won’t want to miss. Opening with Daniel Brühl’s directorial debut
Next Door, the film is a dark comedy exploring themes of gentrification, class and privilege. Explore the top picks of the German Film Festival, recommended by the festival curator Bettina Kinski
here, or peruse the full program
here.
Still from Wildland
Scandinavian Film Festival (July 14 – August 4)
Another incredible foreign-language film festival to mark into your calendars is the Scandinavian Film Festival, coming to Perth cinemas July 14. Discover the culture and history of the Nordic region through an impressive program of award-winning films from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark. Some highlights to look out for include noir drama
Wildland, which explores the dark underbelly of Denmark’s modern society from the lens of a teenage girl placed in the care of a family crime syndicate leader. Lovers of comedy will enjoy
Games People Play, which follows a group of old friends who reflect on their past and present as they come together at a familiar location. You can check out the full program
here.
Still from Pinocchio (Italian Film Festival 2020)
St. Ali Italian Film Festival (September 30 – October 17)
Presenting Italy’s finest new contemporary films and cherished classics, this year’s Italian Film Festival continues the tradition of celebrating Italian language, history and culture. While we can’t travel to Italy right now with restrictions in place, get a taste of Italy and its filmography through the Italian Film Festival. Launched in 2000 by Palace Cinemas, the Italian Film Festival was initially launched for the purpose of screening Italian films to migrants. Palace Cinemas was actually established by Italian family the Zeccola brothers, who arrived in Melbourne in 1957 and opened the cinemas with the desire to preserve family, culture and heritage. With last year's program ranging from heartwarming dramas to hilarious comedies, we can expect an incredible program for 2021 too. Read more about last year's program
here and make sure to check the program announcement
here.
British Film Festival (October 28 to November 24)
Presented by Palace Cinemas, the British Film Festival returns for its 8th year in October, with one of the strongest programs to date. Celebrating the talent and achievements of British filmmakers, the festival will feature true stories, literary adaptations, biographies, and documentaries. Some of these films are Oscar contenders and box office hits, featuring some of the most celebrated and respected stars in the industry. Read all about last year’s British Film Festival and get a glimpse of what’s to come for 2021
here and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the full program
here.
CinefestOZ Film Festival (August 25 - 29)
Held in the picturesque southwest region, CinefestOZ returns to WA for its 14th year with an incredible program of film and cinematic experiences. This year’s program includes premiere events, behind-the-scenes industry events with special guests, and free community screenings. Film, food and wine lovers can also enjoy an in-conversation lunch, accompanied by the mouth-watering local food and wine of the Margaret River region. With a strong focus on Indigenous themes, as in previous years, this year’s program will be released on July 30. Find more information on the event
here.
Discover more film festivals in Perth