ACM Accelerator Showcase: Stories In The Making
The Hawai’i International Film Festival and Academy for Creative Media System are proud to present an engaging opportunity to experience the next generation of storytellers at the upcoming ACM Accelerator Showcase on April 12 at 2:00 PM, held at Consolidated Theatres Kahala. This public presentation will feature a curated group of Creative Media students from various University of Hawai’i campuses, showcasing the projects they are currently developing. This “work-in-progress” event will highlight a diverse array of storytelling styles, offering attendees a unique insight into the creative processes of these emerging talents. Through this interactive session, audience members will have the opportunity to contribute constructive feedback, helping the students to refine and enhance their work as they move toward their project’s completion.
MEET THE PRESENTERS
Christian Villavicencio – UH West O’ahu
Christian Villavicencio is a Filipino-American sophomore at the University of Hawai’i at West Oahu majoring in General Creative Media. He works as a videographer and editor for Aloha Media Weddings. Although primarily focused on weddings, he and his team have experience throughout all aspects of the entertainment and film industry and have worked with Kolohe Kai and KHON2.
PROJECT: SECOND CITY | THE BEAUTY OF KAPOLEI
SECOND CITY is a short film that takes you on a cinematic journey throughout Kapolei, Hawai’i. Although Kapolei is not often the first place to come to mind when people think of Hawai’i, this film was created to highlight the beauty of the city’s nature and people, as well as bring justice towards its nickname as the SECOND CITY.
Aaron Ariola – Leeward Community College
LUCKY BREAK
LUCKY BREAK follows the story of Alex, a quirky movie fanatic who is dissatisfied with being unable to share his interests with a partner. To alleviate his troubles, Alex’s roommate, Danny, tries to help him get a date. Alex is able to secure a date but is clueless about how to present himself for it. Danny tries his best to help him but Alex can’t stop getting in his own way. Alex stumbles at almost every turn but things work out and he gets his… lucky break.
Christian Siador – UH Mānoa
Christian Siador is a creative developer currently pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He enjoys combining art and technology to create immersive experiences.
THE IMMERSIVE REEF EXPERIENCE: LIFE OF THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
A projection mapping artwork that showcases the ocean life of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This project uses the Unity game engine to simulate fish behavior in real time.
Anh Nguyen – UH Mānoa
Anh Ngoc Nguyen is currently in her 4th year double majoring in Cinematic Arts-Animation and Computer Science-Creative Computational Media along with a Vietnamese language certificate at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. With a passion for storytelling, Anh earned 1st place in a local film contest hosted by Learning Endeavors and Women’s Fund of Hawai’i for her animated short “Below Surface Level” tackling topics of coastal resilience on the islands. She is now working at the Laboratory for Advanced Visualization & Applications (LAVA) at Mānoa where she’s helping develop the Waikiki Aquarium project with CJ.
THE IMMERSIVE REEF EXPERIENCE: LIFE OF THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
A projection mapping artwork that showcases the ocean life of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This project uses the Unity game engine to simulate fish behavior in real time.
Kenji Bugtong – UH Maui College
Hi, my name is Kenji Bugtong! I am a Creative Media Filmmaking major at the University of Hawai’i Maui College. I love filmmaking and listening to music which often leads me to combine these two within my projects! I tend to draw a lot of inspirations from the songs I listen to. In my opinion, music not only becomes a listening experience, but also a visual one. I like to imagine certain scenarios or vibes each song carries which becomes the guidance on what story I wanna tell. Oh, and I love the color yellow!
THE MUSHROOM LAMP
A boy consumed by distractions drifts through surreal moments and places, always shadowed by a strange glowing lamp that only he can see. As he desperately clings to fleeting joy with friends, ominous knocks grow louder, forcing him to confront the reality he’s been avoiding.
Kaimana Poulton – Kaua’i Community College
Aloha! My name is Kaimana and I’m a Kaua’i-born entrepreneur and media producer. With a deep appreciation for creativity and the natural world, I always look for ways to make a difference and change perspectives. Examples of my work are on sites.google.com/view/kaimanacreative
TO PROTECT THE OCEAN
Ho’omalu Ke Kai is a non-profit on Kaua’i that’s dedicated to ocean conservation and restoration. From land-and-sea clean-ups, fishpond stewardship, coral restoration, and plastic upcycling, this video project encompasses a variety of initiatives to mālama the environment for generations to come.
Mahealani Stegehuis – Hawai’i Community College
Mahealani Stegehuis is a local filmmaker and creative born and raised on the Big Island and a second-year college student at Hawaiʻi Community College majoring in Digital Media Arts. Mahealani also volunteers her time as a member of HIFF’s student committee. You can check out her short film projects and freelance photography work on her business page @mksvisualss.
THE LIFE OF A LIFEGUARD: THE JOURNEY FROM MARQUESAS ISLANDS TO HAWAI’I
Following his journey from the Marquesas Islands to Hawai‘i, guided by his natural bond with the ocean and deep ties to his Hawaiian heritage, this film explores the essence and legacy of a waterman’s life.
Hunter J Procter – UH Mānoa
Hunter J Procter is a multi-lingual filmmaker striving to make a difference by creating films for endangered language communities while tackling difficult topics such as mental health. He has taken the leap to start his own company called Pro.Wav Cinematics which stands on the core values of multiculturalism, community, and inspiration. FRACTURED will be the first official shortfilm to be professionally produced through this company.
FRACTURED
A Jeju, South Korea-born, young woman named Ella moves to Hawaiʻi with her mother and with her already traumatic history of substance abuse and self harm due to mental struggles, she finds herself having to decide between a new-found friendship or her past of unhealthy vices.
Peyton Beck – UH Mānoa
Peyton Beck is a current School of Cinematic Arts film student intended to graduate this spring 2025. With a primary focus on film marketing and social media she also has a passion for film editing. Peyton will be the film editor and social media manager for this project.
FRACTURED
A Jeju, South Korea-born, young woman named Ella moves to Hawaiʻi with her mother and with her already traumatic history of substance abuse and self harm due to mental struggles, she finds herself having to decide between a new-found friendship or her past of unhealthy vices.
MEET THE MODERATOR
Samantha Farinella
Samantha Farinella is a veteran NYC filmmaker, now based in Honolulu, and the founder of One Angry Woman Productions. Her work has aired on PBS, screened in over a hundred film festivals and won twenty-five awards. She also has extensive television and advertising experience. Samantha is an Assistant Professor in the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawai’i – West Oahu.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support the next generation of storytellers! Reserve your free ticket today and join us on April 12 at 2:00 PM at Consolidated Theatres Kahala. Be part of the conversation and help shape the future of creative media. Get your free tickets here.
