Of all the films that I’ve seen at HIFF 44, one of these films that stood out amongst the rest was the animated short THE QUEENʻS FLOWERS. It is an Indigenous Hawaiian animation short directed by Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy. The film is based on a true story and takes place in 1915 Honolulu, it follows
If you want to watch a short film that is blunt, in-your-face, and smacks you out of nowhere, look no further than the short MANIFESTO [FOR CONCRETE POETRY], directed by Richard Hamasaki, Jody Stillwater & Sebastian Galasso. The imagery, editing combined with the avant-garde archival use of texture and imagery, bring to life the poem
TWO BREATHS, directed by Kateryna Kurganska, is one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking short films ever produced in Hawai’i. The film is a passion project and a dream many years in the making that has the “creative DNA” of nearly 200 different people. This article contains a full timeline of the creative process of the film
If you enjoy films that explore dual identities, such as THE PARENT TRAP (1998), THE HOT CHICK (2002), or even the television show HANNAH MONTANA, which plays with themes of identity exploration and social contrast, then SEOUL SWITCH is a must-add to your watchlist. This short film, just over 12 minutes, captures the fun and
Reflecting what you don’t want to see. GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS (2024) depicts the complex relationship between mothers and daughters as a power struggle. Directed by Shuchi Talati, this coming of age piece centers around the exploration of self and awareness for others. Mira (Preeti Panigrahi) feels trapped under the stifling, attentive watch of her
In this vlog, join HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) mentee Elise Hatsuko at the 44th annual Hawai’i International Film Festival. This vlog covers the Opening Night Gala at the Halekulani, the Meet the Filmmakers event at SHADE, the centerpiece film screening and cast panel for MOLOKA’I BOUND, and the Closing Ceremony at Romer
The HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) program, powered by Critical Minded, supports sustainable film criticism in Hawai‘i through mentorship and paid career opportunities. The mission of HOCCI is to broaden diversity in film criticism across the Pacific region and use influencer branding strategies to spark career opportunities in Hawai’i, not be hampered by oceans, state borders and distance, because geography is no longer a barrier.
The 2024 HOCCI supports Hawai‘i-based AANHPI critics to be a HIFF44 press cohort to cover films, panels, or filmmakers at the 44th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani. Film criticism will consists of four different focuses: writing, podcasting, video essays, and vlogs.
