About
A Vanguard Forum of International Cinematic Achievement
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF), an Academy Awards®-qualifying festival, celebrates dynamic cinema from Asia and the Pacific while championing Native Hawaiian and Indigenous filmmakers through powerful storytelling and groundbreaking programming.
OUR HISTORY
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) is the only Academy Awards® qualifying film festival in the State of Hawai‘i. Established in 1981, HIFF was founded with the goal of showcasing the vibrant and diverse cinematic voices from the Asia-Pacific region, as well as promoting cultural exchange through the medium of film. Over the decades, the festival has grown into one of the most important platforms for celebrating international cinema, particularly films from Asia, the Pacific Islands, and North America.
In its early years, HIFF focused heavily on Japanese cinema, a reflection of Hawaii’s close ties with Japan. Over time, the festival expanded its programming to include works from South Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, as well as independent films from the United States and beyond. It also provides a platform for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander filmmakers, ensuring that their voices are heard on an international stage.
HIFF distinguishes itself by emphasizing films that reflect the unique cultures and experiences of the Pacific Rim. It serves as a bridge between East and West, showcasing works that are often underrepresented in mainstream media while fostering dialogue among filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals. The festival highlights a broad range of genres and styles, from narrative and documentary features to experimental films and shorts.
The festival has played a significant role in introducing global audiences to now-renowned directors, including Ang Lee, Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Taika Waititi, and Quentin Tarantino, when they were at the beginning of their careers.
With its scenic location and culturally rich programming, HIFF has become a beloved event for cinephiles and filmmakers alike, solidifying its reputation as a premier festival for celebrating the power of storytelling through film in the Asia-Pacific region.
Past honorees include Ann Hui, Quentin Tarantino, Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou, Koji Yakusho and Maggie Cheung, who all received lifetime achievement awards. Other guests include legendary Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, CHUNGKING EXPRESS), Oscar nominees Steven Yeun (MINARI, BURNING, THE WALKING DEAD), Taika Waititi (JOJO RABBIT, THOR: RAGNAROK), New Zealand impresarios Jemaine Clement (FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS), renowned Korean director Park Chan-Wook (OLDBOY, THE HANDMAIDEN), Japanese actor Ken Watanabe (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, LAST SAMURAI), anime master Satoshi Kon (PAPRIKA, MILLENNIUM ACTRESS, PERFECT BLUE), Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm Dave Filoni, and American actress Elisabeth Moss (THE INVISIBLE MAN, THE HANDMAID’S TALE).
In 2020, HIFF celebrated its 40th edition, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented a hybrid festival with over 200 films from 45 countries, available online, at drive-in theaters, limited in person cinema screenings and many zoom Q&As and panels.
Entering its fourth decade, HIFF is the festival of record for emerging works from the Pacific Rim, a destination of award winning films from major film festivals around the world, and an incubator for Hawai‘i-based and Native Hawaiian works that come from the vibrant and local creative industries.
PROGRAMMING
HIFF is unique in discovering narrative features, documentaries and short films by and about peoples from Asia and the Pacific, and films about Hawai‘i made by Hawai‘i filmmakers.
Each year in preparation for the event, HIFF programmers view some 2,000 films and choose an average of 150 narrative features, documentaries and film shorts. Among them are world premieres, North American premieres, U.S. premieres, virtual reality works, animation and interactive XR projects. Programs in focus include spotlights on social and cultural issues, first features by new directors, emerging Asian-Pacific talent, and work by American immigrant filmmakers.
HIFF also conducts panels, workshops, special award presentation receptions with top Asian, Pacific and North American filmmakers participating.
HIFF’s mission to enlighten, empower and entertain through the medium of film is paramount to being an integral part of Hawai’i’s arts and culture community. Aside from exhibiting films from around the world, the Festival serves as a creative hub for individuals interested in cinema culture, either as a casual fan or for career development. HIFF’s education initiatives include free school screenings and guest filmmaker visits for youth statewide, plus panels and seminars featuring in-depth discussions with renowned filmmakers and content creators, and workshops with industry professionals.
EDUCATION
HIFF Education reaches more than 7,000 students across Hawai’i annually through four different programs available to K – 12 students, through year-round programs such as GUEST FILMMAKER PROGRAM, YOUTH EDUCATIONS SCREENINGS, STUDENT SHOWCASE, FUTURE FILMMAKERS CONTEST
HIFILM Industry
MAKAWALU
In 2021, HIFF launched MAKAWALU, HIFF’s first production project that will bring eight Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) directors together to make one feature length film. MAKAWALU, in modern Hawaiian terminology, references “different perspectives of a situation.” The filmmakers who have been selected to participate in this anthology are: Kekama Amona, Justyn Ah Chong, Ty Sanga, Aina Paikai, Katherine Wong, Taylour Chang, Erin Lau, and Ciara Lacy.
The filmmakers participated in a special 5-day writers retreat at the Halekulani Hotel from November 15 to 19, 2021 to develop the project together. The program is an extension of HIFF’s primary goal of supporting and nurturing local filmmakers for the betterment of the broader community. The feature film is expected to be completed in 2022.
