The Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) returns this spring to Consolidated Theatres Kahala for the 3rd annual HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest presented by Halekulani—a vibrant celebration of the future of film. Spotlighting Hawai‘i’s student creatives alongside special industry guests, family-friendly premieres, and all-ages panels, the festival sparks dynamic conversations about the next generation of storytelling, filmmakers, culture, and community connection.
“HIFF’s 2026 ‘Ōpio Fest—branded this year with K-POP DEMON HUNTERS—is the best way to open the Fest as a catalyst in celebrating AAPI and Korean pop culture stories, with a special presentation in the theater, along with special guests from the film!”, says Jen May Pastores, HIFF’s Education Director.
Pastores continues, “It’s a powerful way to celebrate this global phenomenon and to have the film and the filmmakers interact with the State’s future filmmakers to inspire, entertain and learn from a creative team who have created an IP that has crossed cultures, borders and age groups into the biggest success in Netflix’s history.”
HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest, now in its third year, will screen 34 student short films representing 32 different K-12 schools or youth organizations across Hawaiʻi, selected from over 100 film submissions.
“The excitement of students seeing their film in a theater isn’t just about the screen—it’s about sharing their story in the optimal venue of a movie theater, sharing their films in the same theater that they would see MINECRAFT and K-POP DEMON HUNTERS. It’s a rush of pride and possibility,” says Pastores.
In addition to ‘ŌPIO FEST’s youth programming, HIFF programmers have also included several films that will have their Hawai‘i premieres at the Festival — a collection of critically acclaimed and audience favorites from fall and winter film festivals, including several “straight from Sundance.”
”HIFF continues its mandate to have as much year-round programming bringing the best in international cinema to Hawai‘i’s cinemas,” says Melina Coumas, HIFF’s Programming Manager.
These student films will qualify for one of two awards competitions:
- The ‘ŌPIO JUNIOR SHOWCASE presents 13 short films created by young student filmmakers from elementary and middle schools across Hawai‘i. All films qualify for the HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Best Junior Film Award, recognizing the outstanding creativity of Hawai‘i’s youngest storytellers. The winner is selected by HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Jury and will be announced live at the screening on Saturday, April 18, immediately following a Q&A session with the students.
GROWING WITH POI
By: Eliana Viernes, Breya Higa, Jaysen Acoba, Chloe Sabilala, Xyrelle Daguio, Quinn Takatani // Maui Waena Intermediate
HOW TO GROW A GARDEN WITHOUT SOIL
By: Cee Jay Langcay, Xian Malaqui, Xyler Farinas // Honowai Elementary
HANG LOOSE, SHARE THE SHAKA
By: Chancellor Powell, Tylee Sedeno, Randyn Ranches, Aliah Sistona // Dole Middle School
KA ULUWEHI O KE KAI (THE PLANTS OF THE SEA)
By: Aysen Kataoka-Respicio, Julia Hall, Jakob Ryen Malicdem, Aleiyah Silva // Hilo Intermediate School
KICKING WITH CONFIDENCE
By: Kira Setoda, Azariah Ildefonso, Koi Chang // Highlands Intermediate
KNOWING PEOPLE MADE EASY
By: Caleb Chow, Makamae Kaluhiwa, Grezyn Nagao, Jian Choo, Sophia Tung, Kai Matsuoka, Zoey Schlais, James Warner, Sean Endo, Abigail Fong // Hawaii Baptist Academy
KUʻIKE
By: Ayla Ford // Hawaii Acting and Modeling Academy
LEAH’S LIST
By: Lilly Gainey // Honolulu Acting Club
MAULOA: THE CANOE THAT AWAKENED OUR WAY
By: Finnegan LeDuc, Natalie McDowell, Sofia Tribuiano, Aaron Keenan, Cy Gillette, Kahakupo’olani Dalton, Manase Larrua // Hawaii Preparatory Academy
POWERHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
By: Vincent He & Vicky He // CARES Afterschool Program
SEEK SHELTER
By: Kayla Wainwright, Casey Wong, Ava Choy, Ethan Ideta, Kasen Kamada, Abigail Kim, Jeter Nakashima, Emma Ogino, Brayden Tani, Kylie WuChang, Walter Young, Kolten Sakamoto // Hawaii Baptist Academy
THE LEGACY OF PANIOLO, THE STORY OF THE GORDON KALANIOPIO
By: Anuhea Kalaniopio, Cy Gillette, Nanea Brattin // Hawaii Preparatory Academy
‘ULU MAIKA
By: Naleiauli’i Ka’ai, Gabriel Gonzales, Chelee-Rose Pua’a, Averie Bishaw-Juario, Kohziah Phillips // Kuanakakai School
- The ‘ŌPIO NEXT GEN SHOWCASE presents 21 original short films created by high school filmmakers from across Hawai‘i. All films qualify for the HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Best Next Gen Film Award, celebrating the next generation of filmmakers. The winner will be announced live at the screening on Saturday, April 18, immediately following a Q&A session with the students.
A RECIPE FOR RESILIENCE
By: Ryan Alacar, Landon Espiritu, Triton Gonzaga // James Campbell High School
ART TO RAY & VULNERABILITY
By: Lupe Makisi, Mary Murphy, Kimberly Barit, Angel “Rayze” Tyrell // Leilehua High School
BETSY
By: Cortezi Limbert // Homeschool
CURRENTS
By: Brooke Beltran, Angelica Joy Bareng Burguillos, Ace Magaoay // Moanalua High School
FISHED
By: Andreah-Kayte Cardon, Cheyenne Mackey, Winston Campbell, Julius Pacheco // Hisako Film Lab
FLOWERS
By: Sienna Nordstrom // La Pietra Hawai’i School for Girls
ISLAND OF RESILIENCE
By: Ovid Dunnick, Logan Wick, Calvin-Paul Arak // Maui Huliau Foundation
KE KINO LUA
By: Eve Davidson // Mid-Pacific Institute
MANEKI
By: Lauryn Jim On // ‘Iolani School
NEVER NOTHING
By: Heavenlee Hokunani Laka Botelho-Sarcedo, Marley Davidson, Jemima Titania, Zara Speicher, Alana Creps // Hawaii Women in Filmmaking
ONE SMALL THING
By: Hailey Hadley, Kai Ganir // Kapaʻa High School
OPPA
By: Emma Lee // Mid-Pacific Institute
SOMETHING NEW
By: Bransen Tubbs, Isaiah Coppa // H.P Baldwin High School
THE LUNCHABLE
By: Kaila Scharff // Hawaii Acting and Modeling Academy
THE WHIMSICAL TALE OF WES & FRANK
By: Emi Catanzariti, Kasen Isa, Pono Wong // ‘Iolani School, Mid-Pacific Institute
TIDES OF CHANGE
By: Hina Atteberry, Hannah Cabebe, Jayden Delaginte // Hisako Film Lab
UNDER PRESSURE
By: Isabeau Belbot, Annalina de Haas, Masen Mascoto // Hisako Film Lab
UNRAVELED
By: Rica Marie Ragasa // Pearl City High School
WAYFINDERS OF WAIANAE
By: Trevor Chase, Pomaikai Ho, DaytonDayton Kawailima-Yoshida, Kawehi Weaver, Kuʻulei Momoa, Kai Pihana, Kekaulike Mikes, Rustin Rzonca, Kalānui Kamaunu // Menehune Film Academy
WAR BOY (TRAILER)
By: Kasen Isa // Mid-Pacific Institute
X MARKS THE SPOT
By: Calla Cheung // Waipahu High School
The ‘Ōpio Student Awards will be revealed during Q&A of the programs, along with a cash prize for the Best ‘Opio Student Film Awards, courtesy of Fields Psychiatric Consultants!
HIFF is proud to partner with Hawaiian Airlines and the East-West Center at UH Mānoa to host students from across the state to participate in these screenings and events.
OTHER FILM HIGHLIGHTS
OPENING NIGHT FILM – April 17th @ 7:00 p.m. Consolidated Theatres Kahala
K-POP DEMONHUNTERS Presented by Korean American Foundation of Hawaii (KAFH)
Director: Chris Applehans, Maggie Kang
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun
When a chart-topping K-pop girl group leads double lives as demon slayers, they must battle supernatural threats feeding on fandom obsession, fame, and fear—before the darkness consumes their fans, their sisterhood, and the global stage. Special guests in attendance.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM – April 19th @ 7:00 p.m. Consolidated Theatres Kahala
I SWEAR
United Kingdom
Director: Kirk Jones
Cast: Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, Peter Mullan, and Scott Ellis Watson
Based on the life story of Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner John Davidson, MBE. Set within 1980s Britain, the story follows him throughout his troubled teens and early adulthood, and explores this little known and entirely misunderstood condition, along with his attempts to live a ‘normal’ life against the odds.
A PALE VIEW OF HILLS
Japan
Director: Kei Ishikawa
Dual timelines explore a Japanese widow’s memories spanning post-war Nagasaki in 1950s and England during 1980s Cold War era, unraveling secrets that intertwine her past and present experiences across borders. Based on the celebrated novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.
BOONG
India
Director: Lakshmipriya Devi
When nine-year-old schoolboy Boong hears a rumor that his father has passed, he and his best friend Raju make the journey to Moreh to investigate in this class-conscious, charming coming-of-age border drama that just garnered the Best Children’s Film category at the 2026 BAFTAs beating out juggernauts ZOOTOPIA 2 and LILO & STITCH.
CAN’T CRY WITH YOUR FACE
Japan
Director: Yuchiro Sakashita
During their first year of high school, Mizumura and Sakahira fall into a pool and mysteriously switch bodies. For 15 years—through adolescence and adulthood—they live each other’s lives, sharing updates across the divide. When a chance to switch back emerges, they must decide who they’ve truly become.
NUISANCE BEAR
Germany
Directors: Gabriela Osio Vande, Jack Weisman
A polar bear is forced to navigate a human world of tourists, wildlife officers, and hunters as its ancient migration collides with modern life. When a sacred predator is branded a nuisance, it becomes unclear who truly belongs in this shared landscape.
PATAWID
Phillipines
Director: Jade Castro
At a family-run restaurant in Ilocos, privileged Jorge clashes with street-smart Kiko, newly hired by Jorge’s grandfather, Tino, a retired sakada. After Tino’s sudden death, they uncover unsent letters revealing a hidden love story between Tino and his best friend, Bong—shaped by migration and sacrifice. As they piece together this past, Jorge and Kiko’s own bond deepens. From the creator of MY PARTNER, this 6-part Ilokano Boys’ Love web series exploring class, intimacy, and inherited legacies.
TIME AND WATER
USA, Iceland
Director: Sara Dosa
Facing the death of his country’s glaciers and the loss of his beloved grandparents, Icelandic writer Andri Snær Magnason turns his archives into a time capsule to hold what is slipping away — family, memory, time, and water. The latest from award winning director Sara Dosa (FIRE OF LOVE). Facing the death of his country’s glaciers and the loss of his beloved grandparents, Icelandic writer Andri Snær Magnason turns his archives into a time capsule to hold what is slipping away — family, memory, time and water.
TUNER
USA
Director: Daniel Roher
A gifted piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down. From NAVALNY Oscar winner Daniel Roher, starring Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall.
KEIKI SHORTS presented by Pacific Islanders In Communications
A return to kid’s animation mornings! Fun, family friendly short films from around the world, including Pasifika and Indigenous stories. Recommended for keiki under 12 years old.
