HIFF Programming

HOCCI: HIFF45 screenings w/ Film Critic led After-Film Discussions

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

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HIFF Extreme Cinema: Shipwrecked samurai, desert rave fests gone wrong & J-horror 2.0

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

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HIFF45 Spotlight on the Philippines

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

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HIFF45 Spotlight On Okinawa

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,

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First Look: HIFF45 Reveals Ten Films for 2025 Festival

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;

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Programmer’s Picks: Attend the Panel with Director GRACE LEE this Saturday

Grace Lee is a Peabody-award-winning filmmaker whose credits include AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS, the doc series AND SHE COULD BE NEXT, ASIAN AMERICANS, and THE GRACE LEE PROJECT, which brought her to Hawaii to interview Hawaii News Now reporter Grace Lee. Her latest documentary feature, Based in Los Angeles, she is

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Programmer’s Picks: THE UGLY STEPSISTER

The Brothers Grimm were sadistic perverts in their moral fables for children that in reality were  pure, sadistic subterfuge. Hyperbolic? Yeah, sure, but this new take on CINDERELLA, is at times, more brutal than THE BRUTALIST.   HIFF is honored to present the Hawai‘i premiere of THE UGLY STEPSISTER, after its wild Sundance world premiere. 

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Programmer’s Picks: ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO

If you’re even a little into the Beatles—or you’re someone who’s had” Imagine” on repeat more times than you can count—then you need to check out ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO. It’s not just another music doc. It’s an inside look at the love, the music, and the chaos that surrounded one of rock’s

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