Features | HIFF | Hawai'i International Film Festival

HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST – EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION PANEL

‘Ōpio Fest, Events, Features, Free Films/Events / By Sean Oketani

Empowering The Next Generation: Navigating The Future of Film in Hawai’i’s Film Community Mahalo to our panelists who shared about their organization and the resources available for the next generation of storytellers Hawai’i. From mentorship programs and hands-on media workshops to production resources and funding opportunities, these community programs play a virtal role in shaping

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Programmer’s Picks: STATE OF STATELESSNESS is an anthology of Tibetans in exile

‘Ōpio Fest, Features, Film Festival News, Programming Updates, Reviews, Spring Showcase / By HIFF Programming

The first-ever Tibetan-language anthology feature film produced is screening in the HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest after its world premiere at the Busan Film Festival. STATE OF STATELESSNESS: TALES FROM THE TIBETAN DIASPORA is comprised of four short segments directed by Tibetan filmmakers living in exile in India, America and Vietnam. Each film delves into the profound

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Programmer’s Picks: THE SHROUDS is David Cronenberg’s most personal film

‘Ōpio Fest, Features, Film Festival News, Programming Updates, Reviews, Spring Showcase / By HIFF Programming

David Cronenberg’s THE SHROUDS is a conundrum of a film. First off, it is a poignant departure from his traditional body horror oeuvre, delving deep into the realms of grief, mortality, and the intertwining of technology with human emotion. This film offers a contemplative exploration of how we confront death in an age dominated by

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HIFF’S SPRING ‘ŌPIO FEST COMING APRIL 8 – 13

‘Ōpio Fest, Current Events, Features, Film Festival News, HIFF News / By Aaron Hansen

Aloha HIFF ʻOhana, As we enter our 45th year and reflect on the legacy and bright future ahead for HIFF, it is my honor to announce the next exciting evolution of the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival: HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest presented by Halekulani. This rebrand of our signature spring event will maintain all the acclaim of

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IN-YOUR-FACE: Exploring the Chaotic Inspirations & The Spiritual Realm of MANIFESTO [FOR CONCRETE POETRY]

Features, Hawai‘i Films, HIFF44, HIFILM, HOCCI, Interview, Reviews / By HIFF Programming

If you want to watch a short film that is blunt, in-your-face, and smacks you out of nowhere, look no further than the short MANIFESTO [FOR CONCRETE POETRY], directed by Richard Hamasaki, Jody Stillwater & Sebastian Galasso. The imagery, editing combined with the avant-garde archival use of texture and imagery, bring to life the poem

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TINĀ, A Return Home Through Spoilers

Features, HIFF44, HOCCI, Reviews / By Guest Author

TINĀ was more than just a film for me. It felt like going home. I’ve probably started this a gazillion times because every time I try, I can’t control my tears. On HIFF’s opening night, I sat in the theater and watched a Samoan film. It had our language, our cheeky humor, our culture, our songs,

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HIFF44 Vlog

Features, HIFF44, HOCCI / By Guest Author

In this vlog, join HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) mentee Elise Hatsuko at the 44th annual Hawai’i International Film Festival. This vlog covers the Opening Night Gala at the Halekulani, the Meet the Filmmakers event at SHADE, the centerpiece film screening and cast panel for MOLOKA’I BOUND, and the Closing Ceremony at Romer

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HIFF44 Post-Mortem: Programming Teams’ Picks

Features, HIFF44, Programming Updates, Reviews / By HIFF Programming

As the dust settles from the just concluded 44th Hawai‘I International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF44), the festival staff is currently going through wrap-up reports, crunching numbers, and analyzing data. On the programming side, it’s several post-mortems as we reflect on some of our personal film favorites, in the hopes that we can amplify

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HIFF44 Audience Award Winners Announcement

Awards, Features, Film Festival News, Hawai‘i Films, HIFF44 / By HIFF Programming

The votes have been tabulated and the audience has spoken. Here are the 44th Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF44) Audience Award winners presented by Hawaii News Now. HIFF44 Audience Award for Narrative Feature: ABOUT FAMILY (South Korea) Director: YANG Woo-suk HIFF44 Audience Award for Documentary Feature: SHAKA, A STORY OF ALOHA (Hawai‘i,

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HIFF44 Jury Award Winners & Honorees

Awards, Features, Film Festival News, Hawai‘i Films, HIFF News, HIFF44 / By HIFF Programming

The 44th edition of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF44) presented by Halekulani announced its jury winners and celebrated its Awards Gala Honorees at a private event held at the Halekulani Hotel. In its 2024 iteration, the organization awarded $25,000 in cash prizes to filmmakers across respective categories. KAU KA HŌKŪ AWARD The Kau Ka

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