Established and newer arts festivals in Western Australia are enjoying growth and success this year, attracting an increasing number of artists and patrons.
Whether it's the relatively new Fringe World Festival, or the Perth International Arts Festival, which has been running since 1953, international artists seem to be responding in greater numbers to top-class WA events.
And the long-running Revelation Perth International Film Festival is no exception.
In its 16th year, Revelation celebrates independent films made in WA and abroad and, according to festival director Jack Sergeant, 2013 is set to be the biggest year yet.
"We've expanded from our new hub at the Luna, across the city, taking on additional screens to enable more people to attend, enjoy and participate in the pleasures of cinema and, hopefully, to inspire the next generation of visionaries," Mr Sergeant said.
The festival has received a record 150 film entries from North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Russia and the Middle East and is expecting its highest ever attendance of national and international delegates, distributors, film academics and reviewers.
There has been a decade-long anticipation of growth in the WA film industry, which now appears set to take off.
Recently released features Drift, filmed in Margaret River, as well as the upcoming Son of A Gun, starring Ewan McGregor and shot predominantly in Perth and Kalgoorlie, are leading the way.
But it is also the more quiet achievers that are making an impact, such as the efforts of the Revelation Festival to answer market demand and act on emerging trends.
Revelation is believed to be the only international festival in Australia to offer academic discussion platforms alongside its screening program.
The RevCon Academic discussion forum was initiated in response to the need for open creative argument and intellectual debate between scholars, filmmakers of all levels and those operating in the business sector of the film industry.
One of the highlights of Revelation will be "Goblin play Suspiria", which involves progressive Italian rock band Goblin performing its soundtrack to a live screening of the 1970s horror film Suspiria.
After featuring at Revelation, the act travel to New Zealand and then to Texas for its first appearance in the US as part of the Housecore Horror Film Festival.
There has been a resurgence in live music accompanying screenings, which has not been particularly popular since the silent film era.
Orchestras throughout Australia, including the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, have performed to The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra also recently played to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Music groups in the US have put on concerts to The Matrix, Dracula and the animated film The Triplets of Belleville this year.
Other attractions at Revelation include a selection of Iranian films, animation and experimental film showcases, as well as several other international feature films.
The Get Your Shorts On! segment will exhibit locally funded and produced short films and the nominees for the WA Screen Awards will be announced at a gala event.
It is expected about 10,000 people will attend the various screenings at Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Cinema Paradiso.
