From a controversial Korean box-office hit to a gripping documentary about South Korea’s recent martial law crisis, two films at HIFF46 explore the power of journalism, the fragility of democracy, and a nation’s ongoing reckoning with its political history. Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and a strong theatrical run during
Presented by the Korean American Foundation of Hawaii (KAFH) The 46th Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF46) presents a dynamic cross-section of contemporary Korean cinema with its SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA, presented by the Korean American Foundation of Hawaii (KAFH). This year’s nine-film showcase brings together U.S. and International Premieres, acclaimed auteurs, emerging filmmakers, documentaries, genre cinema,
SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA: South Korean Cinema in all its forms at HIFF46 Read More »
Southeast Asia continues to produce some of the most exciting, adventurous, and socially incisive cinema on the international festival circuit. At HIFF46, the SOUTHEAST ASIAN SHOWCASE brings together six films representing the breadth of contemporary filmmaking from the region—from bold new voices making their feature debuts to internationally acclaimed auteurs returning with deeply personal new
SOUTHEAST ASIAN SHOWCASE: The Best Of The Region Comes To HIFF46 Read More »
The 46th Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF46) continues its longstanding celebration of Hong Kong cinema with the SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG, presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO SF). Spanning six films, this year’s program brings together a new generation of filmmakers and performers alongside beloved
Animation is having a landmark year, and HIFF46 brings four of the year’s most acclaimed international animated features to Hawai‘i. WE ARE ALIENS, TANGLES, IN WAVES, and IRON BOY all world premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival—part of a record year for animation on the Croisette. Now arriving at HIFF after further festival acclaim,
From Cannes to Hawai‘i — Four Animated Films to Watch at HIFF46 Read More »
On Halloween Eve—Friday, October 30—HIFF46 is kicking off Halloween weekend with something louder, stranger, and bloodier. THE BLOB: A NIGHT OF GORE & SCORE pairs Chuck Russell’s gloriously gooey 1988 horror classic with an original live score performed by Hawai‘i musician, composer, and actor Holden Mandrial-Santos, who will remix and synchronize music live to the film
THE BLOB — Come for the Gore, Stay for the Score! Read More »
HIFF’s 2026 Spotlight on Taiwan, presented by the Ministry of Culture ROC and Taiwan Academy, Los Angeles, looks across generations of Taiwanese cinema—honoring the artists who transformed its cinematic language while celebrating a new generation carrying that legacy forward in unexpected directions. The program looks back with THAT DAY, ON THE BEACH, the landmark first
HIFF46 SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN: A Look Back and to the Future Read More »
Update: The Full HIFF46 Lineup is now live at boxoffice.hiff.org HIFF46 Opens with the World Premiere of THE NAVIGATOR at the Historic Hawai‘i Theatre Center and Presents the Hawai’i Premiere of Sung Kang’s DRIFTER as Centerpiece 84 features and 86 shorts include 34 World, 6 North American, 12 U.S., 3 International Premieres; 30 Made
HAWAI’I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY HALEKULANI ANNOUNCES 2026 LINEUP Read More »
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) today announces its First Wave of Films for the 46th edition of the Festival (HIFF46 presented by Halekulani), taking place October 21–November 5, 2026 on O‘ahu, followed by screenings across the Neighbor Islands. HIFF46 PASSES ON SALE NOW This first look at HIFF46 previews 15 films representing
The First Wave: 15 Films Coming to HIFF46 + Passes On Sale Now Read More »
(L to R) Directors Kimberlee Bassford (BEFORE THE MOON FALLS) & Marty Schweitzer (LAHAINA RISING) posing with their HIFF45 Made In Hawai‘i Awards at the HIFF45 Awards Ceremony, which was held at Halekulani October 23, 2025 (Honolulu, HI) – The 45th edition of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF45) presented by Halekulani announced its jury
HIFF45 Announces Jury Award Winners Read More »
