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HIFF 2009

This category will encompass all postings about the 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival

HARIMAYA is this year's DEPARTURES

Last year's HIFF 2009 brought a significant amount success stories that are making 2010 a fabulous year for film (PRECIOUS, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS, THE PEOPLE I'VE SLEPT WITH, etc, etc, ETC)  

One in particular, HARIMAYA BRIDGE (2009), has finally had it's closing week at Dole Theaters after an astonishing seven week release following the footsteps of DEPARTURES (featured at HIFF 2008).

HARIMAYA BRIDGE(2009): Daniel and Noriko hangin' out on the bridgeHARIMAYA BRIDGE(2009): Daniel and Noriko hangin' out on the bridge

In this film, father Daniel Holder deals with the death of his son by traveling to Japan to claim his son’s artwork. As you can imagine, there is a loss of translation and more than a handful of cultural differences--they take their shoes off here and I find that weird, kinda thing--in spite of everything, Daniel learns more about his son than originally planned while still grieving over their tumultuous relationship. 

To catch a glimpse, we’ll just now have to wait for it’s DVD release (or Netflix release if you’re like me and hate going outside) which is scheduled to come out sometime in Fall 2010.

Fasten Your Seat Belts!

Maggie Q Accepts Maverick Award at 2009 HIFF: Photo by Rae Huo PhotographyMaggie Q Accepts Maverick Award at 2009 HIFF: Photo by Rae Huo PhotographyOur eyes have been glued on Maggie Q ever since she seductively slipped her way out of an orange Lamborghini in that slinky red dress in Mission: Impossible III.  Vatican City hasn't looked that sinful since, well... maybe we shouldn't go there.  Point is the Hawai'i native, and HIFF 2009 Maverick Award winner for Warrior and the Wolf, is showing no signs of hitting the brakes.  Catch her in The CW's revamped vehicle NIKITA this fall television season.

 

HIFF's 2009 Festival Trailer wins Key Art Award!

It was recently announced that HIFF's 2009 Festival Trailer, created by Hyperspective Studios and Orangeroc and starring Daniel Dae Kim, won a Key Art Award for the "Theatrical Audio/Visual - Festival Audio/Visual" category at the The Hollywood Reporter's 39th Annual Key Art Awards. See the 2009 trailer below, and check out older HIFF trailers going back to 1994 on our Vimeo page. "What do you see?"

From the Hyperspective Studios description:
"Hawaii International Film Festival 29 trailer for 2009 starring Daniel Dae Kim from LOST titled "What do you see?". Produced by Hyperspective Studios and directed by Todd J. Robertson. Ink blots present an opportunity to see anything that you want to see. This short brings to life the visions of a writer struggling to finish a script."

HIFF Proudly Congratulates Oscar Nominees Featured at 2009 Festival

HONOLULU, HI (February 11, 2010) – The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is pleased to announce that six films featured at the 2009 fall festival have been nominated for Academy Awards garnering a total of 12 Oscar nominations.

“Every year we strive to bring the best films to share with our audiences in Hawaii and we are so pleased that several of the films from HIFF 2009 are being recognized by the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences,” says HIFF executive director Chuck Boller.  “We were thrilled at last year’s HIFF Oscar Night® America party to experience DEPARTURES’ win as Best Foreign Language Film, since the only place one could have seen the film in the entire United States prior to its Oscar win was at HIFF 2008, which presented DEPARTURES’ US Premiere.  We hope a HIFF film wins again this year.”

The 2009 Oscar nominated films include THE YOUNG VICTORIA, which received 3 nominations for art direction, costume design and makeup; PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE, which received 6 nominations for best actress in a leading role for Gabourey Sidibe, best actress in a supporting role for Mo'Nique, director, film editing, best picture and adapted screenplay; MIRACLE FISH, which received a nomination for best live action short; and FOOD INC. and BURMA VJ, each of which received a nomination for best documentary feature.

Joint Theatrical Release for "White on Rice" & "Children of Invention" in New York City

Children of Invention / White on Rice Joint Release PosterChildren of Invention / White on Rice Joint Release PosterTwo popular American independent films that were featured in HIFF's 2009 film festival, White on Rice and Children of Invention, are planning a joint theatrical release for their films in New York City at the newly renovated BIG Cinemas Manhattan on March 12th. Children of Invention producer Mynette Louie comments on their joint efforts:

“We kept running into the WHITE ON RICE folks on our festival run, so we all became good friends.  It makes perfect sense for us to buoy each other’s promotional efforts in true ‘DIWO’ style.  DIWO means ‘Do It With Others,’ and it’s much more fruitful than DIY, particularly in this hostile climate for indie films.”

Both films are currently available as limited edition DVD's, see their respective websites for details. For more detailed information about the joint theatrical release, see their press release here: http://www.childrenofinvention.com/diwo-nyc.htm

HIFF 2009 - What I Liked

I didn't get a chance to see too many films during HIFF this year, but I did catch CASTAWAY ON THE MOON. I loved it.

White On Rice Q&A

White On Rice Intro / Q&A from HIFF on Vimeo.

All About Dad Q&A

All About Dad Q&A from HIFF on Vimeo.

Shanghai University Shorts Q&A

Shanghai University Shorts Q&A from HIFF on Vimeo.

HIFF 2009 Audience Awards

(TIE) for Best Feature:
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
Director: Lee Daniels

BARBARIAN PRINCESS
Director: Marc Forby

Best Documentary:
PIDGIN: THE VOICE OF HAWAII
Director: Marlene Booth

Best Short:
AJUMMA: ARE YOU KRAZY?
Director: Brent Anbe