(L to R) Directors Kimberlee Bassford (BEFORE THE MOON FALLS) & Marty Schweitzer (LAHAINA RISING) posing with their HIFF45 Made In Hawai‘i Awards at the HIFF45 Awards Ceremony, which was held at Halekulani October 23, 2025 (Honolulu, HI) – The 45th edition of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF45) presented by Halekulani announced its jury
As HIFF45’s Closing weekend at Kahala is upon us, we’ve just added a few more screenings for closing weekend—especially our just announced HIFF45 Jury Award Winners. 10/24 4:30pm – BEFORE THE MOON FALLS Made In Hawai‘i Award Winner / Consolidated Kahala 6:15pm – LAHAINA RISING – Made In Hawai‘i Award Winner / Consolidated Kahala 10/25
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of sights to see at HIFF45? Your tour guides to all things film at the Festival, the HIFF programmers, have compiled lists of their personal top picks to help you get the most out of your cinematic journey. Anderson’s Recommendations FWENDS An occasionally awkward reunion between a pair of pals
In Richard Brody’s essay “In Defense of the Traditional Review” for The New Yorker, he delivers a compelling call to action for the preservation of written film criticism in an age increasingly dominated by short-form content, video essays, vlogs, and social media posts. Brody argues that the traditional written review remains essential—not only as a
Instagram Facebook Youtube Teenage Nightmare: Horror Film Depicts Unique Hardships of Immigrants Amy Wang’s New American Perspective film Slanted recounts her own difficult experiences growing up as an Asian immigrant in Australia. Born in China, Wang and her parents moved to Sydney when she was 7. Wang did not know any English except for “A,
Instagram Facebook Youtube Award Winning Director Explores Trauma and Healing in Latest Film Filmmaker Nani Sahra Walker has built a career defined by curiosity, courage, and compassion. A director, writer, and producer, her work moves fluidly between documentary, narrative, and immersive media—all with a deep commitment to truth and humanity. Through her films, Walker explores
The HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) program, powered by Critical Minded, supports sustainable film criticism in Hawai‘i through mentorship and paid career opportunities. The mission of HOCCI is to broaden diversity in film criticism across the Pacific region and use influencer branding strategies to spark career opportunities in Hawai’i, not be hampered by oceans, state borders and distance, because geography is no longer a barrier.
The 2024 HOCCI supports Hawai‘i-based AANHPI critics to be a HIFF44 press cohort to cover films, panels, or filmmakers at the 44th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani. Film criticism will consists of four different focuses: writing, podcasting, video essays, and vlogs.
