TWO BREATHS, directed by Kateryna Kurganska, is one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking short films ever produced in Hawai’i. The film is a passion project and a dream many years in the making that has the “creative DNA” of nearly 200 different people. This article contains a full timeline of the creative process of the film […]
The Journey of Creating TWO BREATHS Read More »
If you enjoy films that explore dual identities, such as THE PARENT TRAP (1998), THE HOT CHICK (2002), or even the television show HANNAH MONTANA, which plays with themes of identity exploration and social contrast, then SEOUL SWITCH is a must-add to your watchlist. This short film, just over 12 minutes, captures the fun and
SEOUL SWITCH and the Cost of Fame Read More »
Reflecting what you don’t want to see. GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS (2024) depicts the complex relationship between mothers and daughters as a power struggle. Directed by Shuchi Talati, this coming of age piece centers around the exploration of self and awareness for others. Mira (Preeti Panigrahi) feels trapped under the stifling, attentive watch of her
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS – Power in reflection Read More »
In this vlog, join HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) mentee Elise Hatsuko at the 44th annual Hawai’i International Film Festival. This vlog covers the Opening Night Gala at the Halekulani, the Meet the Filmmakers event at SHADE, the centerpiece film screening and cast panel for MOLOKA’I BOUND, and the Closing Ceremony at Romer
A samurai who time-travels to modern-day Japan has to learn to become a fake samurai in a TV period drama. You will love A SAMURAI IN TIME, a well-thought-out indie comedy that achieved huge success in Japan and is now circulating through international film festivals (you can see how “indie” this film is when you
An Unexpected New American: a Samurai in HIFF Read More »
As the dust settles from the just concluded 44th Hawai‘I International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF44), the festival staff is currently going through wrap-up reports, crunching numbers, and analyzing data. On the programming side, it’s several post-mortems as we reflect on some of our personal film favorites, in the hopes that we can amplify
HIFF44 Post-Mortem: Programming Teams’ Picks Read More »
HIFF44 had many shorts programs this season, so we’re not surprised that our loyal patrons may have missed a film or two due to scheduling conflicts. So with the help of our head of short programming, Melina Kiyomi Coumas, we’d like to recommend a handful of films that may have escaped your attention on the
Spotlight on HIFF44 Short Films Worth a Second Look Read More »
This year at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, I watched some of the best films in indigenous cinema and representation of the local community here in Hawaiʻi. HIFF44 featured the premiere of its centerpiece presentation, Alika Tengan’s MOLOKA’I BOUND. I had been anticipating this film since seeing the original short a few years ago. Before
MOLOKA’I BOUND: The journey from short to feature Read More »
It’s as if I flew through a portal into another world I hadn’t dared to step into. People have told me over the years I could be an actor, my English teacher in middle school, Dan Lauria, too. But even though it seemed exciting, something in me swept it away, as if it were something
Burning bright in the middle of the blue (HOCCI Reflections) Read More »
Disclaimer: There are NO bad films on this list, all of them are 5 stars in their own right. A reminder that this is just my opinion as a viewer who watches stuff for fun. You do NOT need to agree with me. HIFF44’s START MOTION SHORTS is a selection of animated shorts from around
Review of the START MOTION SHORTS Read More »
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With gratitude, we honor the ʻāina itself and the generations who steward it.