youth education screenings
YOUTH EDUCATION SCREENINGS
HIFF’s Youth Education Screenings (YES) offers theatrical and online viewing presentations of premiere films for K-12 schools across Hawai’i open only to students and educators. Theatrical screenings were presented during the 44th annual Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF44) in October -November 2024 at select movie theaters on O’ahu, the Big Island (Hilo), Maui, Lana’i, and Kaua’i. The HIFF team curates film selections to provide classes with a meaningful viewing experience, showcasing films premiering for the first time and celebrating both the artistry of filmmaking and the diverse cultural perspectives that enrich our global community. Thanks to the generous support from our sponsors, all programs are provided at no cost.
Theater viewings have a limited capacity based on available seats. To better guarantee seat availability, please sign-up as soon as possible. Once the sign-up form reaches the max attendee count, a wait list will be started. Some screenings will offer opportunities for students to engage with the film’s director, cast, or crew in a post-screening discussion and Q&A. Please take into consideration that theater showtimes that include a Q&A will be an additional 10-15 minutes after the film ends. The schedule is subject to change.
Online Viewings: Select YES films will be available to screen online within your classroom. We encourage teachers to integrate the film(s) into their class curriculum. HIFF provides a general YES Discussion Guide for each film that can be used with your class.
Neighbor island theater Schedule
MAUI ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER
Monday, October 21
STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS + THE QUEEN'S FLOWERS (short film that plays before STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS) 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM Q&A post-screening included in the time
Tuesday, October 22 – THIS SCREENING IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS + THE QUEEN'S FLOWERS (short film that plays before STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS) 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM pending Q&A post-screening included in the time
Friday, November 1 – THIS SCREENING IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS + THE QUEEN'S FLOWERS (short film that plays before STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS) 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM Q&A post-screening included in the time
Thursday, November 7
STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS + THE QUEEN'S FLOWERS (short film that plays before STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS)
10:00 AM to 12:15 PM Q&A post-screening included in the time
online viewing Schedule
October 21 – November 18
The following films will be available to screen online, for a limited time (October 21 to November 18), in your classroom through a private secured link on HIFF’s Streaming Platform, sent in advance of the screening.
ASHIMA
STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS
THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS
HOW DO YOU SEE ME?
O'ahu Theater Schedule
CONSOLIDATED THEATRES KAHALA
Tuesday, October 15
Note: There are two YES Showtimes on this day that start at the same time.
ASHIMA + HOW DO YOU SEE ME? (short film that plays before ASHIMA) 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM Q&A included within this time
FRIENDLY FIRE 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
CONSOLIDATED THEATRES KAHALA
Wednesday, October 16
THE MOUNTAIN 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM AT CAPACITY - THIS SHOWTIME HAS A WAIT LIST.
Thursday, October 17
STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS + THE QUEEN'S FLOWERS (short film that plays before STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS) 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM Q&A post-screening included in the time AT CAPACITY - THIS SHOWTIME HAS A WAIT LIST.
HIFF44 YES FILMs
Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world’s youngest elite rock climbers, embarks on an incredible journey with her biggest supporter and coach, her dad, Poppo. Together, they set out to conquer a V14 boulder climb in South Africa. Will ASHIMA reach the top of the mountain and strengthen her bond with Poppo along the way? Find out in this inspiring adventure of determination, family, and a young person achieving remarkable feats.
DIRECTED BY: KENJI TSUKAMOTO
HAWAI‘I PREMIERE
DURATION: 86 MINUTES | FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
COUNTRY: UNITED STATES, SPAIN, FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA, UNITED KINGDOM
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH AND JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
THEMES: ROCK CLIMBING, COMING-OF-AGE, FAMILY
RECOMMENDED FOR 6TH – 12TH GRADERS, PLAYS ONLINE AND IN THEATERS
Why do people with intellectual disabilities live 13 to 20 years less than others? Through the eyes of a young woman who sees her disability as a distinct advantage, this film explores the profound effects of societal views on their lives. Dive into the impact of societal perceptions while exploring paths towards a more equitable future.
DIRECTED BY: TODD ROBERTSON
HAWAI’I PREMIERE
DURATION: 8 MINUTES (SHORT FILM)
COUNTRY: UNITED STATES
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH WITH OPEN CAPTIONS
THEMES: RESILIENCE, DIVERSITY, SPECIAL OLYMPICS
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL GRADES, PLAYS ONLINE AND IN-THEATERS
*HOW DO YOU SEE ME? plays before ASHIMA in-theater YES.
DIRECTED BY: JALENA KEANE-LEE
HAWAI‘I PREMIERE
DURATION: 83 MINUTES | FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
COUNTRY: HAWAI‘I, UNITED STATES
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH AND ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
THEMES: ACTIVISM, CULTURAL TRADITIONS, FAMILY
RECOMMENDED FOR 6TH – 12TH GRADERS, PLAYS ONLINE AND IN-THEATERS
Program Note: The film contains themes and mentions of emotional trauma, arrests and self harm. Although appropriate for upper elementary, middle and high school students, we encourage that teachers follow up at school with discussions around these topics. The film team is developing curriculum and lesson ideas, as well as a guide for the film, and will be shared with you at a later date.
Expanded from the 2020 short film, three intergenerational Indigenous Hawaiian families seek to protect their native land and sacred mountain, the towering inactive volcano Mauna Kea, from the construction of the world’s largest telescope.
A magical take on a true story, THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS is an animated short adventure for kids that follows Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl in 1915 Honolulu, as she makes a special gift for the last monarch of Hawai‘i, Queen Lili‘uokalani.
DIRECTED BY: CIARA LEINA‘ALA LACY
HAWAI‘I PREMIERE
DURATION: 12 MINUTES (SHORT FILM)
COUNTRY: HAWAI‘I, UNITED STATES
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH AND ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
THEMES: ADVENTURE, HAWAIIAN HISTORY
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL GRADES, PLAYS ONLINE AND IN-THEATERS
*THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS plays before STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS in-theater YES.
DIRECTED BY: RACHEL HOUSE
US PREMIERE
DURATION: 89 MINUTES | FEATURE NARRATIVE
COUNTRY: NEW ZEALAND
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH AND MĀORI WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
THEMES: FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, COMING-OF-AGE
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL GRADES, PLAYS ONLY IN-THEATERS
Sam, a fearless young girl raised outside of her Māori culture, is determined to fulfill her mission of connecting with her ancestral mountain in the hope it will heal her from the cancer she battles. Along the way she meets some misfits and new kids in town— Mallory, hoping to find friends, and Bronco, who claims to be a runaway from his dad who is too busy to notice him. As they make their way through the difficult “off the beaten track”, they learn the true spirit of adventure and the magic of friendship.
DIRECTED BY: MIKHAIL RED
WORLD PREMIERE
DURATION: 101 MINUTES | FEATURE NARRATIVE
COUNTRY: PHILIPPINES
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH AND TAGALOG WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
THEMES: ESPORTS, TEAMWORK, FAMILY
Notes for teachers: Film has occassional swearing,
RECOMMENDED FOR 6TH – 12TH GRADERS, PLAYS ONLY IN-THEATERS
Hazel, a casual gamer from the Philippines, unexpectedly goes viral after a lucky shot in an online match against the Philippine national e-sports team and is recruited to join the team and train professionally by the team’s founder. Hazel struggles to adjust to the rigorous training and team dynamics, facing doubts from her male teammates. Despite the challenges, she is determined to improve her skills.
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