Cultural & Visual Literacy Program

(open to students grades 7 to 12 on Oahu)

The Cultural & Visual Literacy Program (CVLP) provides free theater screenings of outstanding films that are rarely available in Hawaii. These films are applicable to many subjects; teachers in previous years have incorporated CVLP films into classes ranging from social studies and language arts to media production and character education. Whenever possible, HIFF invites the film's director to participate in a post-screening discussion with students. (Students may be required to read subtitles. Schools will be responsible for their own transportation. One adult chaperone will be required for every twenty students.)

The 2010 CVLP films will be announced in August 2010.

Cultural & Visual Literacy Program Films

DEAR LEMON LIMA,

View DEAR LEMON LIMA, Trailer

Tuesday, October 20
2009 United States | 87 minutes

When 13-year-old Vanessa experiences her first breakup, she rebounds by following the boy to his stifling prep school, where she receives the only minority scholarship for her Yup'ik background. Landing at the bottom of the school's social ladder and confined to the weight room during P.E., she begins to rally with the other school misfits. Vanessa's attempts to find herself and win back the love of her life flounder, until she's presented with an opportunity to captain the oddball team for the school's version of the World Eskimo Indian Olympics - the Snowstorm Survivor competition. Vanessa journeys from the fantastical world of unicorns, rainbows, and shadow puppets to the uncertain reality of adult complications, discovering that real friends can be just as fantastic as imaginary ones. A true underdog story, Yoonessi's tale of compassion and camaraderie is certain to recall one’s own memories of the delicate transition to adolescence.

Director: Suzi Yoonessi
Cast: Savanah Wiltfong, Shayne Topp, Melissa Leo, Beth Grant, Elaine Hendrix

AMREEKA

View AMREEKA Trailer

Wednesday, October 21
2009 United States, Canada | 96 minutes
English, Arabic w/ English Subtitles

AMREEKA chronicles the adventures of Muna, a single mother who leaves the West Bank with Fadi, her teenage son, with dreams of an exciting future in the promised land of small town Illinois. In America, as her son navigates high school hallways the way he used to move through military checkpoints, the indomitable Muna scrambles together a new life cooking up falafel burgers as well as hamburgers at the local White Castle. Told with heartfelt humor by writer-director Cherien Dabis in her feature film debut, AMREEKA is a universal journey into the lives of a family of immigrants and first-generation teenagers caught between their heritage and the new world in which they now live and the bittersweet search for a place to call home.

Director: Cherien Dabis
Cast: Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat

AFTER THE STORM

View AFTER THE STORM Trailer

Thursday, October 22
2009 United States | 89 minutes

Ms. Medalia (director) will be attending this screening of AFTER THE STORM, and will participate in a Q&A session after the film.

Hilla Medalia's inspiring documentary, ostensibly about three New York theater vets who come to New Orleans to mount a benefit production of the Broadway musical Once on this Island, goes right to the eye of the storm. The production, which hauntingly mirrors the real-life events of the hurricane, is fraught with the raw emotions of children struggling to live in a broken-down city. Quickly disabusing any notion that New Orleans' problems can be fixed with mere wood and nails, the film journeys into the personal family life of each teen cast member. The mesmerizing courage of these young performers speaks volumes about the role art can play in re-invigorating the heart and soul of New Orleans.

Director: Hilla Medalia
Featuring: Gerry McIntyre, James Lecesne, Randy Redd, Rayan Arnold, Annie Britton

Hilla Medalia (writer/director/producer) 

A Peabody Award Winner Israeli Producer and Director. The founder and owner of kNow Productions, a production company focusing on "projects and films that matter." After joining the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) she began her academic career in the United States where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University (2001 and 2004). She then worked in various positions including senior producer of the award-winning documentary 39 Pounds Of Love. The film won the 2005 Ofir Award (“Israeli Oscar”) and was released in U.S. (Landmark) theatres in late 2005 and made it onto the Academy Award short list for best documentary film.

Medalia received a 2005 Regional Emmy Award for her student documentary project Condition: John Foppe (program feature - public affairs category) and the 2004 Angelus Award for directing the student film, Daughters of Abraham. Her first feature documentary TO DIE IN JERUSALEM screened around the world and has garnered many prestigious awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Emmy Award nominations. The film screened in multiple festivals around the world including the Jerusalem Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, Fipa Biarritz, where it won a jury award. The film was broadcast in the United States as an HBO feature and has aired on television around the world including YES in Israel. Medalia’s new film, After the Storm, collaboration with Priddy Brothers, opened in June 2009 at the prestigious Los Angeles film festival and screened in Outfest, Woodstock festival and Museum Of Modern Art.