Hawai’i Screenwriting: Craft and Breaking Through
In this panel, presented as part of the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) ‘Ōpio Fest, HIFF brings together three of Hawaiʻi’s most accomplished screenwriters for an illuminating conversation about craft, career, and cultural representation.
Join Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (LILO & STITCH), Bryson Chun (MOANA 2, DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, M.D.), and Zoë Eisenberg (STOKE, CHAPERONE) for an in-depth discussion as they share invaluable insights on creating standout writing samples, navigating pathways into the industry, and the responsibility of portraying Hawaiʻi authentically on screen. Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter or simply passionate about storytelling here in Hawai’i, this discussion offers a rare glimpse into the creative processes and professional journeys of writers who are shaping how our islands are seen by global audiences.
MEET THE PANELISTS
Bryson Chun
Bryson Chun is a Native Hawaiian screenwriter who wrote on the Disney+ series DOOGIE KAMEALOHA MD and the upcoming MOANA 2 for Disney animation. He has produced award-winning short and feature films in Hawai‘i that have gone on to screen for PBS, The Smithsonian Institution, The Criterion Collection, and at festivals all over the world. He was a writing fellow for Sundance, CAPE, imagineNATIVE, LA Skins, and ‘Ohina Labs where he developed his Greenlight award-winning short OTHER PEOPLE under the mentorship of THOR RAGNAROK writer Eric Pearson. He’s a two-time blacklist Indigenous fellow for his pilot script POI DOGS and the feature film DON’T FREAK. He’s a proud graduate from the IAIA MFA program and is represented by Verve Talent and Literary Agency.
Chris Kekaniokalani Bright
Zoë Eisenberg
Zoë Eisenberg is a queer writer, filmmaker and circus producer who creates stories and spaces in and about her home on Hawai’i island. Her work has been supported by Tribeca Studios and Netflix, and has played on PBS, Hawaiian Airlines, and theatrically across Hawai’i. Her solo feature length directorial debut CHAPERONE premiered at Slamdance in 2024 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Breakouts. She co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Made in Hawai’i Film Festival from 2018 through 2022, and co-founded and presently serves as Creative Director for Aerial Arts Hawai’i, a queer and allied circus performance collective and community training space.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Hawaiʻi’s storytellers who are making waves in Hollywood while staying true to their roots. Reserve your seat here.
