The third annual HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest, presented by Halekulani, celebrated Hawai‘i’s student filmmakers on Saturday, April 18, and announced this year’s jury award winners and honorable mentions. The festival showcased two short film programs that highlighted the talent of Hawaiʻi’s emerging voices: the ‘ŌPIO JUNIOR SHOWCASE, which presented 13 short films created by young student filmmakers from elementary and middle schools, and the ‘ŌPIO NEXT GEN SHOWCASE, which presented 21 original short films created by high school filmmakers from across Hawaiʻi.
Two top awards were presented in both showcases: the Best ‘Ōpio Narrative Junior Award and the Best ‘Ōpio Documentary Junior Award for the ‘Ōpio Junior Showcase and the Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Narrative Award and the Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Documentary Award for the ‘Ōpio Next Gen Showcase. Both awards in each showcase were awarded with a cash prize, which was generously provided by our sponsor, Fields Psychiatric Consultants.
Additionally, two honorable mentions were recognized for the ‘Ōpio Junior Showcase: Honorable Mention for Excellence in Screenplay and Honorable Mention for Outstanding Student Cast. Three honorable mentions were recognized for the ‘Ōpio Next Gen Showcase: Honorable Mention for Excellence in Screenplay, Honorable Mention for Innovative Storytelling, and Honorable Mention for Comedic Excellence.
The films were adjudicated by the ‘Ōpio Fest Jury, which included Bryson Chun, screenwriter, producer, and teaching mentor whose works include DOOGIE KAMEALOHA MD, MOANA 2, and DASHER (HIFF45 Best Made in Hawai’i Short Film Award Winner); Shar Tui’asoa, artist, illustrator, children’s author, and founder of Punky Aloha Studio; and Tiffany Liu, filmmaker and recipient of HIFF45’s HIFF x BMW Hawai’i Driven Student Filmmaker Award for her film, WINNER.
‘Ōpio Junior Showcase: Honorable Mentions & Award Winners
BEST ‘ŌPIO JUNIOR DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The 2026 Best ‘Ōpio Junior Narrative Award goes to THE LEGACY OF A PANIOLO, THE STORY OF GORDON KALANIOPIO by Anuhea Kalaniopio, Nanea Brattin, and Cy Gillette from Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
The Jury selected THE LEGACY OF A PANIOLO, THE STORY OF GORDON KALANIOPIO as Best ‘Ōpio Junior Documentary for its compelling portrayal of paniolo life in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island. They appreciated the students’ authentic storytelling and its meaningful connection to Hawaiian culture.
BEST ‘ŌPIO JUNIOR NARRATIVE AWARD
The 2026 Best ‘Ōpio Junior Narrative Award goes to SEEK SHELTER, by Ava Choy, Ethan Ideta, Kasen Kamada, Abigail Kim, Jeter Nakashima, Emma Ogino, Kolten Sakamoto, Brayden Tani, Kayla Wainwright, Casey Wong, Kylie WuChang, and Walter Young from Hawaii Baptist Academy.
The Jury selected SEEK SHELTER as Best ‘Ōpio Junior Narrative, for its cinematography, polished editing, and impressive use of special effects. The film stood out for its creativity—an engaging and skillfully executed piece.
HONORABLE MENTION FOR FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCREENPLAY
The 2026 ‘Ōpio Junior Showcase’s Honorable Mention for Excellence in Screenplay goes to LEAH’S LIST by Lilly Gainey from Honolulu Acting Club.
HONORABLE MENTION FOR FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT CAST
The 2026 ‘Ōpio Junior Showcase’s Honorable Mention for Outstanding Student Cast goes to ‘ULU MAIKA by Nalei Ka’ai, Gabriel Gonzales, Kohziah Phillips, Averie Bishaw-Juario, and Chelee-Rose Pua’a from Kaunakakai Elementary School and Moloka‘i Middle School.
‘Ōpio Next Gen Showcase: Honorable Mentions & Award Winners
BEST ‘ŌPIO NEXT GEN DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The 2026 Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Documentary Award Winner goes to ISLAND OF RESILIENCE, by Ovid Dunnick, Logan Wick, and Calvin-Paul Araki from Maui Huliau Foundation.
The Jury selected ISLAND OF RESILIENCE for ‘Ōpio Next Gen Documentary for its strong visual storytelling and use of pidgin narration, which added an authentic, grounded voice to the film.
BEST ‘ŌPIO NEXT GEN NARRATIVE AWARD
The 2026 Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Narrative Award Winner is FISHED, by Andreah-Kayte Cardon, Julius Pacheco, CJ Mackey, and Winston Campbell from Hisako Film Lab.
The Jury selected FISHED as Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Narrative Film for its original storytelling and strong sense of place. They especially appreciated how the film reflects a perspective rooted in Hawaiʻi and expressed a desire to see more stories like this. Its humor and storytelling truly shine in this film!
HONORABLE MENTION FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCREENPLAY
The 2026 ‘Ōpio Next Gen Showcase’s Honorable Mention for Excellence in Screenplay goes to SOMETHING NEW by Bransen Tubbs and Isaiah Coppa from H.P. Baldwin High School.
HONORABLE MENTION FOR INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING
The 2026 ‘Ōpio Next Gen Showcase’s Honorable Mention for Innovative Storytelling goes to UNDER PRESSURE by Masen Mascoto, Isabeau Belbot, and Annalina de Haas from Hisako Film Lab.
HONORABLE MENTION FOR COMEDIC EXCELLENCE
The 2026 ‘Ōpio Next Gen Showcase’s Honorable Mention for Comedic Excellence goes to THE WHIMSICAL TALE OF WES & FRANK by Kasen Isa, Emi Catanzariti, Pono Wong, and Ethan Tesoro-Morioka from Mid-Pacific Institute and Iolani School.
JUNIOR SHOWCASE AWARD WINNERS:
- Best ‘Ōpio Junior Documentary Award: THE LEGACY OF A PANIOLO, THE STORY OF GORDON KALANIOPIO (Anuhea Kalaniopio, Nanea Brattin, and Cy Gillette; Hawaii Preparatory Academy)
- Best ‘Ōpio Junior Narrative Award: SEEK SHELTER (Ava Choy, Ethan Ideta, Kasen Kamada, Abigail Kim, Jeter Nakashima, Emma Ogino, Kolten Sakamoto, Brayden Tani, Kayla Wainwright, Casey Wong, Kylie WuChang, and Walter Young; Hawaii Baptist Academy)
JUNIOR SHOWCASE HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Honorable Mention for Excellence in Screenplay: LEAH’S LIST (Lilly Gainey; Honolulu Acting Club)
- Honorable Mention for Outstanding Student Cast: ‘ULU MAIKA (Nalei Ka’ai, Gabriel Gonzales, Kohziah Phillips, Averie Bishaw-Juario, and Chelee-Rose Pua’a; Kaunakakai Elementary School and Moloka‘i Middle School)
NEXT GEN SHOWCASE AWARD WINNERS:
- Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Documentary Award: ISLAND OF RESILIENCE (Ovid Dunnick, Logan Wick, and Calvin-Paul Araki; Maui Huliau Foundation)
- Best ‘Ōpio Next Gen Narrative Award: FISHED (Andreah-Kayte Cardon, Julius Pacheco, CJ Mackey, and Winston Campbell; Hisako Film Lab)
NEXT GEN SHOWCASE HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Honorable Mention for Excellence in Screenplay: SOMETHING NEW (Bransen Tubbs and Isaiah Coppa; H.P. Baldwin High School)
- Honorable Mention for Innovative Storytelling: UNDER PRESSURE (Masen Mascoto, Isabeau Belbot, and Annalina de Haas; Hisako Film Lab)
- Honorable Mention for Comedic Excellence: THE WHIMSICAL TALE OF WES & FRANK (Kasen Isa, Emi Catanzariti, Pono Wong, and Ethan Tesoro-Morioka; Mid-Pacific Institute and Iolani school)
The cash prizes for these showcases are sponsored by Fields Psychiatric Consultants, which offers a holistic approach to mental well-being, drawing upon a rich tapestry of experiences and expertise in the psychiatric field. Led by Dave Fields, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), their practice prides itself on delivering compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of every individual. From adolescents to adults, our commitment extends beyond traditional clinic walls as we actively engage in community mental health initiatives.
