Anderson Le | Hawai'i International Film Festival

Revisiting HIFF’s Q&A with just announced Nobel prize honoree Maria Ressa

Features, Free Films/Events, General News / By Anderson Le

The news earlier this week that Rappler founder and embattled journalist Maria Ressa became the first Filipino to be awarded the prestigious Nobel peace prize was greeted by human rights activists around the world. The award has put a spotlight on the struggle of journalists and activists fighting President Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks on press freedom. …

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Director/writer/actor Justin Chon on the set of BLUE BAYOU, a Focus Features release. Credit : Ante Cheng / Matthew Chuang / Focus Features

BLUE BAYOU: HIFF Talk Story with Justin Chon

Events, Features, HIFF Talk Story, I ♥ HIFF / By Anderson Le

HIFF recently hosted a special advance screening of Justin Chon’s BLUE BAYOU, which will open nationwide on September 17 only in theaters. This is Justin’s 4th film as a director. His first film, MAN UP, which is a bromance black comedy that he shot entirely in Hawai‘i with YouTube star KevJumba some years ago, …

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HIFF Selects: SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

HIFF Selects, Reviews, Streaming / By Anderson Le

Sign up for HIFF Selects, a monthly curated streaming club A riveting mix of suspense and social commentary, the debut film from director Sam Quah crackles with an intense energy in a pot-boiler with a sinister performance by the stalwart and legendary Chinese American actress Joan Chen as a corrupt police chief. Set in a …

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HIFF SELECT AUGUST: THE WITCHES OF THE ORIENT

Features, HIFF Selects, Reviews / By Anderson Le

It is only apropos to celebrate the Tokyo Olympics with a new documentary that celebrates the game changing feats of Olympians that competed in the last Tokyo Games. As visually stylish as it is overall captivating, THE WITCHES OF THE ORIENT takes a solidly crafted look at a fascinating chapter of Olympic history with …

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WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI: The Ultimate WKW Mixtape

Leave a Comment / Features, HIFF@HOME / By Anderson Le

We have invited some Wong Kar Wai super fans to discuss their love for the famed Hong Kong auteur’s work in celebration of HIFF’s virtual cinema series of WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI, a presentation of 7 digitally remastered classic films, streaming on HIFF”s streaming platform for the entire month of February. Here is a …

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HIFF presents Hawai‘i made short films at Aloha Drive-In

Leave a Comment / Drive-In, Events, Features, Programming Updates / By Anderson Le

Aloha Drive-In Movies screenings are back! The popular drive-in event is presenting two films every Friday and Saturday at Ala Moana Center all through February. Both films presented each night share a theme–i.e. “Black History Month: We Need A Hero” for SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE and BLACK PANTHER on February 5 and BILL & TED’S …

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February’s HIFF SELECTS: HOPE directed by Maria Sødahl

Leave a Comment / HIFF Selects, Reviews, Streaming / By Anderson Le

For this month’s HIFF SELECTS, the festival programmers are honored to present HOPE, Norway’s official entry to the Academy Awards International Film category. The second film by director Maria Sødahl, who debuted with her award-winning film LIMBO in 2010, HOPE is a tour-de-force led by powerful performances by Andrea Bræin Hovig and Stellan Skarsgård. Synopsis: …

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HoMA partners with Sundance Film Festival 2021 to present free virtual programs to support Hawai‘i films

Leave a Comment / Free Films/Events, Programming Updates, Streaming / By Anderson Le

HIFF is honored to support the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), the official #SatelliteScreen partner for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. This year, we celebrate a major milestone for Hawaiʻi cinema: for the first time, two Hawaiʻi films have been selected for the Festival—THIS IS THE WAY WE RISE directed Ciara Lacy, which world premiered …

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FYC: Watch award-winning KAPAEMAHU on HIFF Streaming Service through February 20

Leave a Comment / Free Films/Events, HIFF40, I ♥ HIFF, Programming Updates, Streaming / By Anderson Le

We are honored to provide a special for-your-consideration (aka FYC) screening of KAPAEMAHU, which won the HIFF40 Made in Hawai‘i Award for Best Animated Film, and is currently short listed for Academy Award consideration in the Best Animated Short category. In the long and storied history of the Academy Awards, Hollywood and the entertainment industry …

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RSVP for free virtual screening of MINARI + Q&A moderated by Sandra Oh on January 13 to celebrate Korean American Day

Leave a Comment / Free Films/Events, HIFF@HOME, Programming Updates, Streaming / By Anderson Le

On Wednesday, January 13, celebrate Korean American Day with the cast & crew of MINARI. This special virtual screening will be followed by a conversation moderated by Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh (KILLING EVE). Join us for this special advance screening and Q&A for MINARI, in this special return engagement after the Hawai‘i premiere as …

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