HIFFxDKII FUTURE FILMMAKERS SHORT FILM CONTEST
2024 - 2025 THEME: "TOGETHER WE THRIVE"
In partnership with the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, we are raising a platform for young student filmmakers to explore the importance of civic engagement and the well-being of a society through creative storytelling and the positive impact film can make.
As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, we invite middle school and high school students to create an original short film—either a documentary or a narrative—that illustrates people working towards a common goal despite having differing viewpoints. Senator Daniel K. Inouye stood for freedom and fairness. His life’s work was the embodiment of bipartisanship, morale courage, and a deep desire to build bridges between the people of the world. How can we thrive together?
Deadline: January 8, 2025
Finalists notified: February 2025
future FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE
All films submitted to the Future Filmmakers contest will be reviewed and considered for the Future Filmmakers Showcase, a public theatrical premiere at Consolidated Theatres Kahala in Honolulu during HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest in the Spring of 2025. These students will also be invited to an exclusive Awards Ceremony where every participant will be recognized. Outstanding films from both the High School and Middle School divisions will receive 1st or 2nd place awards. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to meet a prominent youth ambassador.
Past ambassadors include voice actor Eric Bauza (LOONEY TUNES, WOODY WOODPECKER GOES TO CAMP), actress Auli‘i Cravalho (MOANA, MEAN GIRLS 2024) and Phillipa Soo (HAMILTON, TICK TICK BOOM), director Destin Daniel Cretton (SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS), and actors Harry Shum, Jr. (GLEE, CRAZY RICH ASIANS), and Jacob Batalon (SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME).
submissions guideline
Examples for students to consider for their short film:
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- Sharing stories of successful collaborations between people in the community with differing viewpoints
- Highlighting stories where empathy and understanding have led to positive change between people
- Interviewing kupuna (elders) and showcasing how past experiences and wisdom from our grandparents, ancestors, or honored elders can guide the younger generation towards a brighter future
- Films must be made by students (grades 6th-12th) with teachers and mentors in advisory roles.
- Register and attend our fall workshops (see more info below) to get support and ideas for your film.
- The short film must be at least 2 minutes minimum and 4 max.
- Any device may be used to make the film. Have fun! Get creative!
- Films must include credits.
- All music and other copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and attributed.
- Create a free account on FilmFreeway to submit your film. Once logged in, upload your complete video file (under 10GB) and fill in all necessary info. Search for HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest to submit your film to and select the Future Filmmakers category.
- Please assure that in your project file’s privacy settings that “Download Permissions” is set to “Festivals that I submit to may download my video.”
- Thanks to our generous sponsors, this program is FREE to participate in. There is no cost to submit your film into the contest or to participate in the workshops.
Need help preparing your film? Join us for a FREE two-part workshop series, on September 21 and September 29, to brainstorm with your peers and industry mentors. Register below to get started! Open to middle school and high school students in Hawai’i and Alaska who intend to submit a film to the Future Filmmakers Contest.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM HST | ONLINE
Join us for this beginner-friendly workshop, a dynamic 90-minute online class led by writer/producer Philip Chung, where we’ll brainstorm and develop ideas together centered around this year's Future Filmmakers theme, Together We Thrive. The workshop will be divided into two parts: the first will highlight student filmmakers who previously showcased their work in the HIFFxDKII Future Filmmakers Showcase, offering the class inspiration and practical advice from their experiences. The second part will focus on idea development, allowing participants to workshop their concepts as a group. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with industry experts and fellow creatives!
WORKSHOP mentor
STudent presenters
Hear from Amia Voluntad, Lucas Roberts, Lina Clair Reyes, and Yana Lahoda, talented student filmmakers who were featured in recent editions of the HIFFxDKII Future Filmmakers Showcase. They’ll share their experiences, creative processes, and practical steps to help young filmmakers think about their film submission. The presenting group are also active members of HIFF’s Student Advisory Committee.
SATURDAY, september 28 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM @ HIfF Headquarters
Join us at HIFF's new headquarters in Kaimuki for an engaging beginner-friendly workshop with local director and writer Mitchel Merrick. Students will learn how to refine and shape their story idea for the upcoming film contest. This hands-on session is specifically tailored to help students to develop compelling storylines and to get feedback on their ideas. With limited spots available, be sure to sign up soon to secure your spot in this inspiring workshop! Can't make this in-person workshop? Please register to receive a video recording of this workshop.
WORKSHOP mentor
Mitchel Merrick was born and raised in Hawaiʻi, and is a filmmaker who first fell in love with making movies with the camcorder he received as a birthday present when he was 10. He received his Bachelor’s of Media and Creative Technology from the University of Waikato in Aotearoa, then returned home to continue developing his craft. After self-producing a series of shorts, he had the honor of participating in ‘Ohina’s inaugural filmmaker’s lab and received mentorship for his script KĀLEWA under Joe Robert Cole. Since KĀLEWA (2018), he has produced a handful of other shorts, a feature film WATER LIKE FIRE (2020) and KŪKINI (2024), and continues to work on elevating Hawai‘i-centered stories through film.
Learn more about Mitchel here.
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
The Daniel K. Inouye Institute was established in 2013 to preserve Senator Inouye’s papers and tell his life story; support STEM education, civics learning and international educational-cultural exchanges; and establish a repository of the Asian American/Pacific experience.
This contest is also supported by the YOMYOMF Foundation, which supports Asian Pacific American artists as well as artists from other traditionally underrepresented communities who wish to pursue careers in film, TV, theater and new media.
The mission of the Ted Stevens Foundation is to recognize and honor the Senator’s career in public service, and to apply his legacy of bipartisanship and collaboration through outreach and education. In this spirit, the Foundation works with organizations to inspire the next generation of leaders in critical thinking, community advocacy, and respect for cultural and civic engagement.
Perseverance Theatre is Alaska’s largest professional theatre, and a non-profit organization serving over 21,000 artists, students, and audiences annually. PT’s mission is to create professional theatre by and for Alaskans, with a focus on community engagement, cross-cultural and cross-racial collaboration, professional rigor, and regional/national voice.