Featured articles, opinion pieces and reviews by select HIFF staff, interns and content providers.
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 »
HIFF44 ANNOUNCES FEATURE FILM SELECTIONS, HONOREES, AND SIGNATURE PROGRAMMING The Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani celebrates its 44th year (HIFF44) as the premiere cinematic film festival in the Pacific with the theme “Creating New Traditions” highlighting the best in new cinema from Hawai‘i, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the world while blending the
HIFF44 PRESENTS: FULL PROGRAMMING LINEUP Read More »
Meet the talented trio interning with HIFF this summer: Jordan, Sean, and Robby! JORDAN BROWN My name is Jordan Brown and I am a recent graduate of UH Manoa with a degree in communications. My main career goal is to ultimately become an actor, but I would also love to become more involved in the
MEET HIFF’S SUMMER INTERNS Read More »
Tonight at Prince Waikiki’s Summer Flix, HIFF is showcasing two award-winning student short films from this year’s ‘Ōpio Fest, followed by a feature film, TURNING RED. HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest, which took place earlier this year from April 5-7, was HIFF’s inaugural youth film festival that featured community screenings, special guests, panels, networking sessions, as well
Q&A WITH HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST WINNERS Read More »
From campy cult classics to heart-wrenching dramas,here are 11 queer films you can watch this Pride month. Throughout the process of curating this playlist, I quickly realized just how few queer movies I’ve actually seen. While I’m pretty well-versed in contemporary films, particularly ones that have drawn the most internet discourse, I’ve failed to dig
11 Films to Watch this Pride Month Read More »
Join us for free moving screenings under the stars this summer at the Prince Waikiki Summer Flix presented by HIFF. From May 29th to July 31st, stop by every Wednesday for Hollywood blockbusters and award-winning Hawai’i films from previous HIFF festivals. All screenings will be held on the Muliwai Deck on the 5th floor of the
HIFF Summer Flix Picks at Prince Waikiki Read More »
The inaugural HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) is an exciting three-day event for all ages that celebrates student films and spotlights the diverse voices of emerging young filmmakers across Hawai’i. ‘Ōpio Fest concluded on Sunday, April 7th, with its closing night events: a screening of the closing night film ROBOT DREAMS, a
HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Future Filmmakers Award Winners Read More »
The inaugural HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) is an exciting three-day event for all ages that celebrates student films and spotlights the diverse voices of emerging young filmmakers across Hawai’i. ‘Ōpio Fest, HIFF’s inaugural youth film festival, kicked off on Friday, April 5th, 2024 with an opening night party at a private
HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Student Showcase Honorees & Jury Award Winners 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.
