HIFILM | HIFF | Hawai'i International Film Festival

Portraying the Faces of the Climate And Housing Crises In RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE

Climate Gentrification, HIFF43, HIFILM, HOCCI, Reviews / By HIFF Programming

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 […]

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HIFF TALKS PODCAST: Interview w/ Co-Producer Laurel Tamayo (GEN Z MENTAL HEALTH: CLIMATE STORIES)

Climate Gentrification, HIFF43, HIFILM, HOCCI, Podcast / By HIFF Programming

HOCCI’s Sean Oketani sits down with Laurel Tamayo to discuss her short film, GEN Z MENTAL HEALTH: CLIMATE STORIES, which was a part of the official selection for HIFF43 in the Environmental Shorts Program. Here is the synopsis for the film: A short documentary that explores the mental health impacts of the climate crisis on

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MAKAWALU, the current status of Native Hawaiians in the industry & future outlook

Hawai‘i Films, HIFF43, HIFILM, HOCCI, Rise of Hawai‘i Cinema / By HIFF Programming

This year’s HIFF not only featured a number of films “Made in Hawai‘i” in its programming, but also spotlighted a new filmmaking initiative and shared perspectives on the current status of Native Hawaiians in the industry. One of the films discussed in HIFF’s panels this year is MAKAWALU, a project in development. MAKAWALU is a

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Climate Gentrification, Forced Migrations in RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE & ABOVE AND BELOW THE GROUND

Climate Gentrification, HIFF43, HIFILM, HOCCI / By HIFF Programming

In the documentary RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE, redevelopment is pushing out a poor Black community of approximately 700 families in Liberty Square, a neighborhood that sits in the middle of Miami, Florida. And in Myanmar, thousands have been relocated due to the development of the Myitsone Dam, a project funded by Chinese investment for energy production

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Reflecting on the RISE OF HAWAI‘I CINEMA Panel

Hawai‘i Films, HIFF43, HIFILM, HOCCI, Rise of Hawai‘i Cinema / By HIFF Programming

(L to R) The Rise of Hawa‘i Cinema HIFILM Panelists: Brian Kealana; Ty Sanga; Moses Goods; Ciara Lacy; Kristian “Krit” Fanene Schmidt; Kalikolehua Hurley I had the privilege of attending THE RISE OF HAWAI‘I CINEMA, a HIFILM Panel presented by Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK), which took place on October 9th during the 43rd Hawai‘i

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Geoff McFetridge & immigrant artists talk about the creative process

Features, HIFF43, HIFILM, NAP, Vilcek / By HIFF Programming

(L to R) Geoff McFetridge; Sing J. Lee; HIFF Director of Programming Anna Page; Till Schauder; Nicky Nodjoumi; Sara Nodjoumi; Chiaki Yanagimoto; Debra Zmekhol New American Perspectives (NAP) presented by the Vilcek Foundation shines a spotlight on immigrant and foreign-born artists, celebrating the powerful impact that diversity has on contemporary cinema and media in the

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HIFF43 x HIHumanities Film For Thought Filmmaker Discussions

Education, Features, HIFF43, HIFILM, Interview / By HIFF Programming

“United we stand,” is the theme for the 2023 HIFF43 Film for Thought (FFT) series presented by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities (HIHumanities). It is a phrase so often heard in the United States that the second half of the saying, divided we fall, is frequently left unsaid. It is assumed that’s already known.

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A Fresh Perspective: Art, Design, & Film at HIFF43

Features, HIFF Talks, HIFF43, HIFILM / By HIFF Programming

Art, Design and Film intersect this year at HIFF43 through the 2023 New American Perspectives program. Featuring 5 new films, 6 filmmakers, and 2 world renowned artists, this year’s program shifts focus to themes of art, design, meaning, and legacy. How does visual storytelling affect the way we assign meaning in our lives? How do

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Introducing the 2023 HOCCI Cohort

Education, HIFF43, HIFILM, HOCCI / By HIFF Programming

The HIFF ONLINE CREATORS & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) program supports sustainable film criticism in Hawai‘i through mentorship and paid career opportunities. The mission of HOCCI is to broaden diversity in film criticism across the Pacific region and use influencer branding strategies to spark career opportunities in Hawai’i, not be hampered by oceans, state borders and

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HIFILM spotlights upcoming film about Hawai‘i’s greatest night in sports history

Features, Free Films/Events, Hawai‘i Films, HIFF43, HIFILM / By HIFF Programming

As part of HIFILM (HIFF43’s “Industry Hub”), comes the return of HOMETOWN HEROES, a now perennial panel that explores the “State of 808 State Filmmaking,” and it’s trajectory as a burgeoning and sustainable indie film & tv industry in the ideation and production of authentic local stories. This year’s HOMETOWN HEROES panel is a little

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