Focusing The Lens: Inspiring Talks for ‘Ōpio Filmmakers

SESSION ONE: FILMMAKING PATHWAYS | 2:00 PM TO 2:45 PM

PANEL MODERATOR: PHILIP W. CHUNG
Philip W. Chung is a writer/producer and creative director of YOMYOMF, the Asian American-centric production company founded by FAST & FURIOUS director Justin Lin. He has written, developed, and/or produced projects for Netflix, NBC Universal/Comcast, Warner Bros, YouTube, Google, eOne, IFC Channel, Legendary Pictures, Buzzfeed Studios, and others.

GERARD ELMORE
Gerard Elmore is a creative producer/director/editor/ cinematographer. He is the vice president of film at NMG Network, responsible for developing branded content, editorial videos, commercials and films. He has shot, directed and produced a number of award-winning commercials and he was a 2022 Sundance Institute Producer Intensive Fellow. Gerard serves as the executive director for ‘Ohina, an artist collective that nurtures, cultivates, produces and showcases Hawaiʻi filmmakers and their films. He is also a governor on the regional EMMY® AWARDS board (The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences SF/Northern California) and also lecturers at The School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

MITCHEL MERRICK
Mitchel Merrick was born and raised in Hawaiʻi, and is a filmmaker who is passionate about telling stories that accurately represent his home with a universal reach that speaks to our collective humanity. He received his Bachelor of Media and Creative Technology from the University of Waikato in Aotearoa. Mitchel participated in ‘Ohina’s inaugural filmmaker’s lab and received mentorship for his script Kālewa (2018) under Joe Robert Cole (Black Panther). KĀLEWA received the Greenlight Award from ‘Ohina with full funding to be produced, then went on to screen at festivals around the world. Since KĀLEWA, he has continued to grow in his craft, writing and directing additional shorts as well as a feature film, WATER LIKE FIRE (2020). His short film, KA HO’I (2021), premiered at the Hawai’i International Film Festival and earned him a special “Impact Award” for his work. His short film KŪKINI recently had its official world premiere at Maoriland Film Festival. 

JANA PARK
Jana Park, born on Oʻahu and raised on Molokaʻi, has been acting, writing, producing and directing since she was a young child. She’s written and produced multiple plays, produced over a dozen award-winning short films, and served in various Producer roles on several feature films, including Google/Array-grant winner MOLOKA’I BOUND. A SAG-AFTRA actress, Jana has performed in over a dozen plays, starred in tv/radio commercials, short and feature films, and co-starred on two seasons of Hawaii 5-0 (CBS). She currently serves as the Executive Director of Hawai’i Filmmakers Collective, a non-profit organization that supports independent filmmakers in Hawai’i.

KATHERINE WONG
Katherine Wong is a set decoration buyer and filmmaker based in Mililani, Oʻahu. She answers to Kat, Katie, and Katherine for long. Having worked in local commercials and network television, Wong trained at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and at Kapiolani Community College. Inspired by stories of indigenous diaspora, much of her time is spent studying the interconnections between culture and; mea ʻai, lei, laʻau lapaʻau, and hilot postpartum traditions of the Philippines.

SESSION TWO: SPECIAL TALK WITH AULI’I CRAVALHO | 3:00 PM TO 4:00 PM

AULI’I CRAVALHO
Cravalho, born and raised in Hawai’i, first captured our hearts as the title role of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ worldwide hit film MOANA.. She performed the Oscar-nominated song “How Far I’ll Go” live at the Academy Awards in 2017. She quickly and seamlessly transitioned from voice-over to on-camera roles, starring alongside Josh Radnor and Rosie Perez in the Jason Katims series RISE for NBC, and in ABC’s live production of THE LITTLE MERMAID as Ariel. Brett Haley directed her as the lead of his Netflix film ALL TOGETHER NOW, with Carol Burnett, Fred Armisen, and Justina Machado. She can currently be seen starring in Hulu’s queer teen romcom CRUSH, directed by Sammi Cohen. Upcoming projects include the Amazon series THE POWER, based on the Naomi Alderman novel of the same name. She stars as Jos Cleary-Lopez, opposite Toni Collette and John Leguizamo. Cravalho voices the title character, Hailey, a risk-averse but resourceful teenager, in Disney Branded Television’s “Hailey’s On It!”.  She recently starred in MEAN GIRLS (2024) and was our DKII Future Filmmakers Youth Ambassador in 2022.