Overwhelmed by the sheer number of sights to see at HIFF45? Your tour guides to all things film at the Festival, the HIFF programmers, have compiled lists of their personal top picks to help you get the most out of your cinematic journey. Anderson’s Recommendations FWENDS An occasionally awkward reunion between a pair of pals […]
HIFF45 Programmers’ Picks Read More »
In Richard Brody’s essay “In Defense of the Traditional Review” for The New Yorker, he delivers a compelling call to action for the preservation of written film criticism in an age increasingly dominated by short-form content, video essays, vlogs, and social media posts. Brody argues that the traditional written review remains essential—not only as a
HOCCI: HIFF45 screenings w/ Film Critic led After-Film Discussions Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube Teenage Nightmare: Horror Film Depicts Unique Hardships of Immigrants Amy Wang’s New American Perspective film Slanted recounts her own difficult experiences growing up as an Asian immigrant in Australia. Born in China, Wang and her parents moved to Sydney when she was 7. Wang did not know any English except for “A,
Teenage Nightmare: Horror Film Depicts Hardships of Immigrants Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube Award Winning Director Explores Trauma and Healing in Latest Film Filmmaker Nani Sahra Walker has built a career defined by curiosity, courage, and compassion. A director, writer, and producer, her work moves fluidly between documentary, narrative, and immersive media—all with a deep commitment to truth and humanity. Through her films, Walker explores
Award Winning Director Explores Trauma and Healing in Latest Film Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube Immigrant Filmmaker Captures True Essence of Vietnam in Ky Nam Inn Leon Le’s work as a screenwriter and director is inextricably linked to his immigrant experience. Born in Vietnam, Le initially came to the United States in 1993 when he was 13 years old. After returning to his native land years later,
Immigrant Filmmaker Captures Essence of Vietnam in KY NAM INN Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube Lucky Lu: Hope Springs Eternal for Immigrants in Lloyd Lee Choi Film Korean-Canadian writer and director Lloyd Lee Choi captures the duality of the immigrant experience in his debut feature film Lucky Lu, a participating film in HIFF’s New American Perspective Program. Set in present-day New York City, the film follows a
LUCKY LU: Hope Springs Eternal in Lloyd Lee Choi Film Read More »
Instagram Facebook Youtube Celebrated director Shih-Ching Tsou debuts Left-Handed Girl at HIFF45 Shih-Ching Tsou is a master of filmmaking. Across her career, she has excelled as a screenwriter, director, producer, costume designer, production designer, actor, and editor. Tsou’s talents are apparent in her latest film, Left-Handed Girl, which Taiwan recently selected as its official entry
Director Shih-Ching Tsou Debuts LEFT-HANDED GIRL at HIFF45 Read More »
The 2025 HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) program, powered by Critical Minded, supports sustainable film criticism in Hawai‘i through mentorship and paid career opportunities. The mission of HOCCI is to broaden and strengthen film criticism culture in Hawaiʻi across a new media multi-disciplinary approach–via online (blog, magazine) review writing, but also via more prominent mediums such
Introducing the 2025 HOCCI Cohort Read More »
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 »
