SISAM is a fictional drama with a historical backdrop set during the Edo period in the middle of conflicts that arose between the men of Wa or Wajin (those of settler-Japanese ancestry), and the Indigenous Ainu tribes of Ezochi (what is now known as Hokkaido). Kojiro is the son of a Samurai who is part […]
Film For Thought: SISAM (HIFF44) Read More »
“Ever since the United States became a nation in 1787, and Canada in 1867, Indigenous peoples exercising their sovereignty and self determination have been depicted as terrorists… when the state or a powerful corporation identifies an individual as a terrorist, they can act with impunity against even your most basic human rights” — Joanne Barker
Film For Thought: YINTAH (HIFF44) Read More »
The Hong Kong film industry has risen from the doldrums of the pandemic with the rise of local films gaining prominence and high box office grosses in 2024. This is best personified with Soi Cheang’s neo-noir action extravaganza TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN broke box office records and kicked off a new franchise in
Spotlight on Hong Kong: 2024, The Road to Recovery Read More »
By popular demand, we have added a second screening of 26.2 TO LIFE after the first screening quickly sold out. Directed by Christine Yoo, she and special guests from the film will also be in attendance for an after-film Q&A. 26.2 TO LIFE (Encore screening) Wednesday, March 27th, 5:30pm – Consolidated Kahala (Buy Tickets) Below
Encore screening of 26.2 TO LIFE added – 3/27, 5:30pm Read More »
The 2024 HIFF Spring Showcase is here with the Hawai‘i premiere of Lee Tamahori’s Aotearoa-set historical epic THE CONVERT, which is also screening again this weekend. The Guy Pearce-led action epic had its world premiere at Toronto last fall and will be commercially released in New Zealand this month. Meanwhile, the Spring Showcase is always
Sundance premieres at 2024 HIFF Spring Showcase Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (HIFF) PRESENTED BY HALEKULANI LAUNCHES TWO FESTIVALS THIS SPRING – 27th annual HIFF Spring Showcase (March 21-28) & INAUGURAL HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) HIFF Spring Showcase opens with New Zealand historical epic THE CONVERT directed by Lee Tamahori (ONCE WERE WARRIORS) & starring Guy Pearce; Closes with
HOCCI’s Olivia Trice interviews Darieus Legg, the artist behind HIFF43’s key art visual and main trailer artist. Darieus’ style was inspired by his love of manga and anime (Katsuhito Otomo and Osamu Tezuka) and his philosophy of “being stoked” as a lifelong surfer, born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. In addition, he
HIFF TALKS PODCAST: Interview with Darieus Legg, HIFF43 Key Visual Artist Read More »
Filmed over the course of five years, RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE is a powerfully directed and insightful documentary that follows the redevelopment of New Liberty Square, a $300 million mixed income public housing complex, which begins with the demolition of Liberty Square. Liberty Square is a historically Black neighborhood of Liberty City located in Miami, Florida
Portraying the Faces of the Climate And Housing Crises In RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE Read More »
The fragility of freedom of the press is at the forefront in the documentary feature BAD PRESS, which screened at this year’s Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF43). The unique precarity surrounding the issue is detailed onscreen as viewers follow Angel Ellis, a reporter for Mvskoke Media and part of the Muscogee Creek Nation, which is
Reflecting upon freedom of the press in BAD PRESS [Op-Ed] Read More »
HOMETOWN LEGENDS and ISLAND COWGIRLS are two films that are preserving ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Knowledge) from nā kupuna (elders) themselves. It is tradition for nā kupuna to pass down knowledge to the younger generations by ma ka hana ka ʻike, learning by doing. In these films, the audience watches as nā kupuna reminisce on their
Preserving ʻIke Kūpuna in HOMETOWN LEGENDS & ISLAND COWGIRLS Read More »
With aloha, HIFF acknowledges its occupation of ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Indigenous Hawaiian people, the Kānaka Maoli.
With gratitude, we honor the ʻāina itself and the generations who steward it.