Steve Ravic (born 19 November 1973) is an Australian film director, producer, writer and editor,[1] who is also known for his work in the music industry and public speaking and mentoring engagements.[2] [3]
After a career in investigative journalism and producing public television and radio, Ravic went on to create live concert coverage,[4] music videos[5] [6] [7] and feature ‘rockumentary’ films internationally since the 1990s.
He has collaborated with Neil Johnson[8] on several film and music related projects and worked with various music artists all over the world including Edguy,[9] [10] Doro, Manowar, Gamma Ray,[11] Rhapsody, Destruction, The Poodles,[12] Dungeon,[13] [14] Paragon,[15] Black Majesty[16] and Thompson.[17]
Having branched out from music related projects, Ravic began to focus on feature films, most recently working with artist Charles Billich[18] on the completed documentary Billich: Beyond the Canvas[19] and also returning to investigative journalism to research for the development of the Billich biopic My Way as well as completing action/thriller Hotel Underground.[20]
Currently. Ravic continues to write feature stories for the leading international Croatian newspaper from Australia, Vjesnik (Croatian Herald) and engages in various events like Top Model competitions and community events like hosting multicultural fashion parades.[21]
Ravic was (born Stipe Ravic on 19 November 1973) in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia to Croatian immigrants that fled communist Yugoslavia during its occupation of Croatia. Ravic was raised in St. Albans (a suburb of Melbourne).[22] Ravic grew up in and has become a prominent and active member of the Croatian diaspora community in Australia and has worked with numerous notable Australian Croatians as well as prolific Croatians internationally.[23]
In 2003 Ravic promoted a tour for German Metal singer Doro and also co-directed and co-produced Doro: Für Immer (2003) and Doro: 20 Years Anniversary, A Warrior Soul (2006), originally broadcast on German TV and released on DVD in 2006.
In 2005/2006, Ravic was recruited by the Australian Government to be a peer / advisor for the Australia Council For The Arts.[24] His duties included reviewing grant applications and providing professional advice on projects relating to international touring for bands. Ravic eventually resigned his position to be able to focus on his own projects.
In 2007, Ravic completed his first feature film Metal Warrior[25] an off-beat street drama directed, written by and starring himself which was released theatrically in Australia in 2010.
In 2010 Frontier Records released Ravic's documentary on Sweden's chart-topping band The Poodles, The Poodles: In The Flesh which released to awards and critical acclaim.
In 2014, Ravic completed the film MYSTERY: Born To Rock[26] starring the Australian teenage Rock/Metal band MYSTERY as well as managing the band from 2012 to 2017.[27]
In 2016, Ravic completed comedy film Diary of a Fatman a comedy film starring Steven Haar which won several awards.[28] [29]
In 2019, Ravic directed and produced the documentary on Charles Billich called, Billich: Beyond The Canvas which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival Marche in 2019 winning best documentary and Best Director at the Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival.[30] [31]
In 2022, the action/thriller movie Hotel Underground directed and produced by Steve Ravic (Starring James Storm and Tracey Birdsall) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and released by House Of Film in 2023. Steve Ravic won Best Director Grand Jury and the movie won Best Picture Grand Jury at the Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival.[32] [33]
Continuing on from this, Ravic is currently developing a biopic about Charles Billich entitled My Way