Overwhelmed by the sheer number of sights to see at HIFF45? Your tour guides to all things film at the Festival, the HIFF programmers, have compiled lists of their personal top picks to help you get the most out of your cinematic journey.
Anderson’s Recommendations
FWENDS
An occasionally awkward reunion between a pair of pals who haven’t seen each other for some time becomes a true delight for audiences. FWENDS is SLACKER meets BROAD CITY.
MAG MAG
After her beloved is killed by the Mag Mag ghost, the protagonist, Sanae, vows revenge, but soon discovers the true identity of the person she truly owes her revenge to. Comedienne turned actress turned director Yuriyan Retriever goes into scary, zany, surrealist directions in a smashing directorial debut. It’s great to witness an exciting, feminist, voice in J-horror!
A great thriller odd couple buddy film from an indigenous perspective, director Eva Thomas crafts a familiar story with a refreshing take, led by great performances from the two, charismatic leads.
THE GOLDEN SPURTLE
One of the biggest surprises of the year. This irresistible documentary tells a quirky, delightful story about a tiny Scottish hamlet who comes together every year to mount the World Porridge Championship. Without ever making fun of its subjects, from the townsfolk to the contestants themselves, this film reminds me of a real-life PARKS & RECREATION and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN. Good for the soul.
PROJECT Y
In a city driven by greed, best friends Mi-sun (Han So-hee) and Do-kyung (Jun Jong-seo) chase one last shot at freedom—but betrayal plunges them into a deadly hunt for stolen gold. Stylish, fierce, and unrelenting, this is a can’t-miss crime thriller pulsing with raw energy and breakout performances.
Visually stunning and divisive, Bi Gan returns to continue his mission to test the cinematic form, in a century-spanning movie-tale made in the style of five different epochs. Think THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM but if it was adapted by Terence Malick. This is for all the Bi Gan-heads!
Melina’s Recommendations:
SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS
While on the surface this may sound like a straightforward environmental doc, this film quickly and unexpectedly blossoms into a much more complex and intricate reflection on modernity vs tradition. Set against the beautiful snow-capped peaks of the Nepalese remote Dolpo region, two Indigenous women forge an unlikely bond in the quest to save the region’s majestic snow leopard population from extinction. A young girl takes an apprenticeship as a last ditch attempt to escape the arranged marriage her parents have set into motion – the only issue is that this apprenticeship is to study snow leopards, the same creatures who decimated her family’s entire livestock and means of making a living in a single night.
ARCO
A bright and gorgeously animated, science fiction fantasy film that’s full of heart. The year is 2075 when a young girl witnesses a mysterious boy dressed in a rainbow jumpsuit fall from the sky. Falls in the Studio Ghibli-type tradition of having something for the whole family to appreciate. A true family friendly film.
DEPARTURES/ARRIVALS Shorts Program
Perhaps my favorite shorts collection of the season, this exceptional program is centered around the duality of life and death and how endings can actually mark the arrival of something new.
METAMORPHOSIS Shorts Program
Seven films from seven countries! This diverse shorts program is naturally all about transformations, both physical and metaphorical. It’s curious to see how certain themes tend to form organically every season and this was definitely a strong theme this year!
O MOTHER WHERE ART THOU Shorts Program
A very special shorts program all about mothers and motherhood. This varied collection of stories explore the decision whether to become a mother and the multifaceted identities that come with motherhood – sometimes joyful, sometimes sobering, sometimes even scary – motherhood is complicated. Note: this is not
ENVIRONMENTAL+: CURRENTS Program
This special program includes three unique and engaging mid-length films, all with documentary and environmental ties. From a colonizing water plant choking a beloved lake, to a recently populated island and the challenges facing its new endemic peoples, to a group of grandmothers banding together to fight against coal ash pollution in their town. While these three films are extremely different from one another, all are particularly striking and impactful. Not to be missed!
EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS
Possibly HIFF’s first Experimental Shorts program! These films push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking – whether it be non-linear storytelling, abstract animation, or stories with non-traditional visual language – these films take on unique forms and demonstrate how there are many different ways to tell a story.
Sean’s Recommendations:
PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK
Directed by Iranian filmmaker, Sepideh Farsi, this is an incredibly important documentary that focuses on a year-long exchange of video calls between the filmmaker and Fatma Hossona, a young Palestinian journalist who was murdered by the Israeli Defense Forces. Through these conversations, Fatma shares her stories and experiences of life in Gaza under the occupation of Israel from 2024 to 2025. This film is a must-watch documentary at this year’s Fall Festival and provides first-hand insight on life in Palestine for Hawai’i audiences. Heartbreakingly tragic, informative, and necessary.
Since we are the only film festival in the State that is Academy Award qualifying for short films, here are my favorite short films:
FISHMONGER
One of the short films I’m most excited for is Neil Ferron’s FISHMONGER, a weird horror short that’s equally absurdly hilarious as it is creative, disgusting, and just plain fun. Part of the ENDLESS NIGHT Shorts Program, director Ferron stuffs this film with so much to feast on, from a musical number to over-the-top gore and campiness. With many components to this partly experimental horror short, it’s incredible to see them all work simultaneously.
Honorable Mentions:
HO’OMAU (MALAMA MAKUA + Shorts)
WATER SPORTS (Experimental Shorts)
CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG / 如你所愿 (Queer Shorts)
THE REMOVER (University Showcase)
