HIFF45 is proud to showcase our selection of LGBTQIA+ film selections from international features from countries such as France, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Australia, with shorts from New Zealand, China, Taiwan, and Cambodia. We’re also excited to showcase shorts domestically from the United States and right here in Hawai’i. The LGBTQIA+ features and […]
Spotlight on Queer Films at HIFF45 Read More »
When the sun sets at the 45th Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani, the real madness begins. This year’s Extreme and Midnight program dives headfirst into the wild, the weird, and the pulse-pounding. From blood-streaked vengeance to surreal comedy, these late-night gems are made for cinephiles who crave adrenaline and audacity. Leading the charge
HIFF Extreme Cinema: Shipwrecked samurai, desert rave fests gone wrong & J-horror 2.0 Read More »
SPOTLIGHT ON THE PHILIPPINES celebrates Filipino American History Month (FAHM)with a dynamic showcase of new cinema from the Philippines and across the Filipino diaspora. In partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), this HIFF45 section premieres world renowned films produced in the Philippines while honoring the rich diversity of voices that span
HIFF45 Spotlight on the Philippines Read More »
SPOTLIGHT ON OKINAWA honors the enduring ties between Okinawa and Hawai‘i as we mark the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to the islands. This special Hawai‘i International Film Festival section presents three brand-new films—each making their International premiere—that showcase the rich culture, resilience, and contemporary voices of Okinawa. Celebrating shared history and deep community roots,
HIFF45 Spotlight On Okinawa Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube HIFF and papa johns pizza night fundraiser The Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) is excited to announce a special collaboration with Papa Johns Hawai‘i! From Tuesday, September 9 through Monday, September 15, you can support HIFF simply by enjoying your favorite pizza at home. Here’s how it works: Place your order online
HIFF45 Papa Johns Fundraiser Read More »
Friday August 29, 2025 // Honolulu, Hawai‘i — The 45th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF45) will light up screens across the islands with an exhilarating program of screenings, the inaugural HIFILM Industry Conference, special events. The festival runs October 15–26, 2025 in Honolulu; October 28-30 in Kapolei; November 1–2 on Kaua‘i;
First Look: HIFF45 Reveals Ten Films for 2025 Festival Read More »
The 2025 HIFILM StorytellersLab (HSL), sponsored by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), brought together a dynamic group of filmmakers and writers for a transformative retreat at the historic Nutridge Estate. Designed to support the development of short screenplays adapted from original Hawai‘i literary works—including books, plays, poems, short stories, and moʻolelo—HSL was a rare opportunity to
2025 HIFILM Storytellers Lab Read More »
We’re excited to welcome three interns to the HIFF team this summer: Roma, Levi, and Cyris! MEET ROMA LERNER Hello! My name is Roma Lerner, and I am currently a student at Colgate University where I am double majoring in Film and Media Studies as well as Environmental Studies. I grew up on the North
Meet HIFF’s 2025 Summer Interns Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube This past weekend, we received troubling news that HIFF’s funding from the National Endowment for the Arts has been canceled as a result of the current administration’s agenda – a situation affecting numerous arts organizations across the country. In addition to the NEA, HIFF has also recently lost other funding sources tied
NEA Cancels Funding for HIFF Read More »
The second annual HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest celebrated the outstanding efforts of student filmmakers in middle school and high school from across Hawai’i and Alaska in this year’s FUTURE FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE. In partnership with the Daniel K. Inouye Institute (DKI Institute), the program features the best submissions of short films from middle school and high school students
HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST FUTURE FILMMAKERS JURY AWARD WINNERS Read More »
