Featured articles, opinion pieces and reviews by select HIFF staff, interns and content providers.
Korean cinema takes center stage this year with an exciting lineup featuring world and international premieres that demonstrate Korea’s unparalleled range and creativity. Leading the lineup is acclaimed auteur Park Chan-wook with NO OTHER CHOICE (어쩔수가없다), alongside Ra Hee-chan’s BOSS (보스) and Kim Mi-zo’s THE JOURNEY TO GYEONG-JU (경주기행). The program also includes Lee Hwan’s […]
HIFF45 Spotlight on South Korea Read More »
HIFF45 brings a stunning collection of European storytelling that spans from the landscapes of Italy to the stark beauty of Norway. France leads with two distinctive entries, the psychological mystery, A PRIVATE LIFE and the animated film, ARCO. The France-Spain co-production SIRÂT, set in Southern Morocco, bridges cultural borders. British cinema makes its mark with
European Cinema Premiering at HIFF45 Read More »
HIFF45 is excited to showcase a diverse selection of animated films from around the world. This year’s program features one of our most exciting animation lineups yet — a global and diverse showcase of films that premiered at major festivals like Cannes and Annecy. Featuring surreal sci-fi adventures and deeply personal stories, these films reveal how
HIFF45 Animated Storytelling from Around the World Read More »
HIFF45 is proud to showcase our selection of LGBTQIA+ film selections from international features from countries such as France, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Australia, with shorts from New Zealand, China, Taiwan, and Cambodia. We’re also excited to showcase shorts domestically from the United States and right here in Hawai’i. The LGBTQIA+ features and
Spotlight on Queer Films at HIFF45 Read More »
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
HIFF Extreme Cinema: Shipwrecked samurai, desert rave fests gone wrong & J-horror 2.0 Read More »
We’re excited to welcome three interns to the HIFF team this summer: Roma, Levi, and Cyris! MEET ROMA LERNER Hello! My name is Roma Lerner, and I am currently a student at Colgate University where I am double majoring in Film and Media Studies as well as Environmental Studies. I grew up on the North
Meet HIFF’s 2025 Summer Interns Read More »
The second annual HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest celebrated the outstanding efforts of student filmmakers in middle school and high school from across Hawai’i and Alaska in this year’s FUTURE FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE. In partnership with the Daniel K. Inouye Institute (DKI Institute), the program features the best submissions of short films from middle school and high school students
HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST FUTURE FILMMAKERS JURY AWARD WINNERS Read More »
The second annual HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest celebrated the exceptional talent of Hawai’i’s young filmmakers on Saturday, April 12, with the announcement of this year’s jury award winners and honorees. The festival showcased outstanding short films across two categories: the ‘ŌPIO JUNIOR SHOWCASE featuring promising elementary and middle school creators, and the ‘ŌPIO NEXT GEN SHOWCASE
HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST JUNIOR & NEXT GEN HONOREES & JURY AWARD WINNERS Read More »
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.
Programmer’s Picks: THE UGLY STEPSISTER Read More »
Hawai’i Screenwriting: Craft and Breaking Through In this panel, presented as part of the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) ‘Ōpio Fest, HIFF brings together three of Hawaiʻi’s most accomplished screenwriters for an illuminating conversation about craft, career, and cultural representation. Join Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (LILO & STITCH), Bryson Chun (MOANA 2, DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, M.D.), and
HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST – HAWAI’I SCREENWRITING PANEL Read More »