HIFF presents the eighth annual MADE IN HAWAI‘I FILM AWARD, celebrating the resilience, creativity, and evolution of Hawai‘i’s independent filmmaking community. Fiction, documentary, and short films created by Hawai‘i-based filmmakers or rooted in Hawai‘i stories are presented throughout HIFF46, standing alongside exceptional cinema from around the world.

For 46 years, HIFF has championed Hawai‘i-made films and locally rooted voices. As the industry evolves, that commitment extends to building a sustainable filmmaking ecosystem in Hawai‘i that supports local storytellers, producers, crew, artists, and audiences while amplifying authentic Native Hawaiian, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander stories.

The MADE IN HAWAI‘I FILM AWARD honors films that embody this spirit: artistically accomplished works that authentically reflect the distinct, complex, and universal experiences of Hawai‘i while helping shape the future of cinema in the islands.

Recipients of HIFF’s Best Short Film Award and HIFF’s Best Made in Hawai’i Short Film Award are eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film/Live Action Short Film category of the Academy AwardsⓇ.