In this video essay, HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) mentee Elise Hatsuko explores the transformative power of international film festivals like HIFF in supporting diasporic communities. By showcasing films from diverse cultures, these festivals serve as agents of language justice and representation, allowing communities to see their languages and stories on screen. From celebrating cultural heritage to fostering a sense of belonging, international film festivals create spaces for deeper understanding and empowerment across borders.
Elise Hatsuko Kaneshiro is the founder of an online platform that helps people live healthy, thriving, and inspired lives. With a background in policy advocacy, Elise is passionate about storytelling, thought leadership in film, and socially conscious film critique. A former fellow of Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking’s Wāhine in Film Lab in 2022, she is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community of creators and driving impactful conversations in film.
The HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) program supports sustainable film criticism in Hawaiʻi through mentorship and paid career opportunities for Hawaiʻi-based AANHPI critics. The mission of HOCCI is to broaden diversity in film criticism across the Pacific and use influencer branding strategies to spark career opportunities. The 2024 HOCCI is supported by Critical Minded, a grant-making and learning initiative that supports cultural critics of color in the United States.
