With the plethora of film releases happening every year, some films are unfortunately bound to not receive the recognition they deserve. Though contrasting in culture, influence, and medium, these films meet at the epicenter of a thoughtful story. The following films have traveled far and wide, some from the coveted Sundance Film Festival, others from countries across the sea. But they all unite at the 2025 HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest here in Hawai’i.
SPEAK.
April 11, 7:00pm Consolidated Kahala Theaters (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR(S): Jennifer Tiexiera, Guy Mossman
PRODUCER(S): Pamela Griner, Guy Mossman, Jennifer Tiexiera
CINEMATOGRAPHER(S): Guy Mossman
With eyes on the prize at the NSDA Nationals, SPEAK. documents five speech and debate all-stars as they compete for top marks and victory. These five orators, Noor, Noah, Sam, Mfaz, and Esther, alongside their undying support of parents and coaches, go through trials and adversity on the road to the ultimate stage. With obstacles from all corners in their way, these teenagers still push forward to bring light to usually dismissed subjects within the United States.
11 REBELS
April 10th, 7:00pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
Director: Kazuya Shiraishi
Producer: Muneyuki Kii
Writers: Jun’ya Ikegami, Kazuo Kasahara
Cast: Takayuki Yamada, Taiga Nakano, Riho Sayashi
Cinematographer: Naoya Ikeda
Set during Japan’s Boshin War, 11 REBELS follows a group of criminals drafted to defend a key crossing from the Imperial army. Their mission serves the adolescent Lord of the Shibata Domain, who is playing both sides in the conflict between the new Imperial regime and the loyalist shogunate clans. The film portrays the brutal clashes of this tumultuous period, focusing on the marginalized classes and offering a parable about the misdeeds of the samurai as the Meiji Restoration looms.
STATE OF STATELESSNESS
April 9, 6:30pm Consolidated Kahala Theaters (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR(S): Tenzin Tsetan Choklay, Sonam Tseten, Tsering Tashi Gyalthang, Tenzing Sonam, Ritu Sarin
PRODUCER(S): Tenzin Tsetan Choklay, Yodon Thonden
CAST: Tenzin Tseten, Thupten Dhargay, Kalsang Dolma, Tenzin Pema, Tenzin Choegyal, Lê Phương Linh, Tenzin Phuntsok, Tenor Sharlo
First premiering at the Busan Film Festival, STATE OF STATELESSNESS: TALES FROM THE TIBETAN DIASPORA is composed of four short stories, each diving into different themes of Tibetan migration, exile and family. Directed by Tibetan filmmakers from India, America, and Vietnam, it is the first-ever Tibetan-language anthology feature film, one that must not be missed.
SALLY
April 10th, 6:00pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR(S): Cristina Costantini
PRODUCER(S): Lauren Cioffi, Cristina Costantini, Dan Cogan, Jon Bardin
WRITER(S): Cristina Costantini, Tom Maroney
CINEMATOGRAPHER(S): Michael Latham
A woman that reached for the stars, SALLY dives into the life of astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman to launch into space. As told by her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, audiences bear witness to NASA’s training and missions, Sally’s media frenzy, whilst being surrounded by discrimination within her own program.
DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!
April 13th, 2:00pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR(S): Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim
PRODUCER(S): Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Amanda Rohkle, Jonathan King, Michael Harte
CINEMATOGRAPHER(S): Jonathan Furmanski
One of the greatest civil rights movements never heard of, DEAF PRESIDENT NOW! displays the uproar that occurred at Gallaudet University after several qualified Deaf candidates were beaten by a hearing candidate for the university’s presidency: the protest resulted in the first Deaf president to be elected in school history, Dr. I. King Jordan. As well as interviews including I. King Jordan himself, this film experiments with ‘Deaf Point of View’, a narrative approach that can only be explained through experiencing it.
MIYAZAKI, SPIRIT OF NATURE
April 13th, 2:00pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
Director: Léo Favier
Producers: Loïc Bouchet, Thibaut Camurat, Christian Popp
Writers: Léo Favier, Léo Brachet
Cast: Toshio Suzuki, Goro Miyazaki, Timothy Morton, Susan Nappier, Philippe Descola
Cinematographers: Robin Gobert, Ian Mosley-Duffy, Marcus Robinson
MIYAZAKI, SPIRIT OF NATURE explores Hayao Miyazaki’s deep connection to nature and the environmental themes in his films. Spanning over 50 years, Miyazaki’s work—like MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PRINCESS MONONOKE, and SPIRITED AWAY—reflects the turmoil of the 20th and 21st centuries, focusing on war and ecological disasters. Through rare footage and insights from thinkers, his son Gorō Miyazaki, and longtime producer Toshio Suzuki, the film offers a closer look at the iconic director’s life and his profound, ecological body of work.
ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO
April 9Th, 7:00pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR: Kevin Macdonald
PRODUCERS: Peter Worsley, Kevin Macdonald, Alice Webb
CAST: John Lennon, Yoko Ono
CINEMATOGRAPHER: David Katznelson
Kevin Macdonald’s documentary, ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO, explores John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s transformative eighteen months leading up to their 1972 One to One benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. Set against the backdrop of their life in New York City and the cultural shifts of the time, the film blends archival TV footage to show how their activism evolved, ultimately inspiring the concert and offering a fresh look at their influential journey.
THE SHROUDS
April 8th, 6:30pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR(S): David Cronenberg
PRODUCERS: Saïd Ben Saïd, Martin Katz & Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent
WRITER: David Cronenberg
CAST: Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, Sandrine Holt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Douglas Koch
From the eerie mind of David Cronenberg and an elite cast comes THE SHROUDS, a tale set in the near-future, revolving around the mortal and the infinite. Karsh, a techno-entrepreneur recently losing his wife, has developed software allowing bereaved to bear witness to the decay of buried loved ones. However, misuse of his software leads Karsh to discover even more behind the veil. Recently losing his own wife, Cronenberg used THE SHROUDS to convey his own reckoning with grief.
THE UGLY STEPSISTER
April 11th, 8:00pm Consolidated Theatres Kahala (One Screening Only)
DIRECTOR: Emilie Blichfeldt
PRODUCER: Maria Ekerhovd
WRITER: Emilie Blichfeldt
CAST: Lea Myren, Ane Dahl Torp, Thea Sofie Loch Næss
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Marcel Zyskind
Hailing from Norway, THE UGLY STEPSISTER encapsulates a sinister twist of the classic Cinderella story. The film follows Elvira as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at all costs. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, ‘all costs’ turn to extreme measures as Elvira competes with the enchanting Agnes to become the bell of the ball.
Purchase tickets here and see these films Consolidated Theatres Kahala. Mahalo for your continued support of ‘Ōpio Fest, from April 8-13th! Your contribution allows these films from around the world to meet and inspire storytellers of all ages!
Logyn Okuda is a member of the HIFF Student Advisory Committee — a collective group of student leaders, many of whom are alumni of HIFF’s Education programs, all sharing a passion for storytelling. The committee plays a pivotal role in shaping ‘Ōpio Fest in the spring and HIFF’s annual University Showcase during the fall. Students meet twice a month throughout each semester-long term to review student film submissions, discuss ideas for education programming, and support the organization with festival documentation and outreach.
