Alex Cantatore is the director, producer, and co-editor of the feature documentary NIU FOREVER, which made its debut at HIFF46. The film continues the story from Alex’s 2021 short film Kumu Niu, which won the 2022 award for Best Environmental Short Film at HIFF. It follows the people behind Niu Now, a grassroots organization dedicated
A Review of FRUIT GATHERING, Directed by Aung Phyoe There is a saying often heard in Korea. “Even during the war, people fell in love and had children.” It means that however difficult life becomes, people still love and bring children into the world. It is said, half in jest and half in earnest, to
A Review of BIG LITTLE THINGS (2026), Directed by Michelle Zhou The original Chinese title of BIG LITTLE THINGS (2026) is “謊言生活,” which translates into English as “A Life of Lies.” As the title suggests, Xiao Lei (Cuishan Liang) lives among lies. She tells her parents that she lives with her friend Li Bei (Jialing
A Review of ELEPHANTS IN THE FOG (2026), Directed by Abinash Bikram Shah ELEPHANTS IN THE FOG is a film about the face of a mother and a woman. It shows us the face a mother makes when she loves or scolds her children, when she worries about the problems they face, and when she
“When we talk about the navigation, it’s not ours, it’s theirs.” – Nainoa Thompson As I waited in the rush line for the 46th Hawaiʻi International Film Festival’s (HIFF46) opening night premiere of The Navigator at the Hawaii Theatre, I felt unsure how to make my way through this space of wayfinders, sea people, and
Encore screenings of THE NAVIGATOR, MAKING THE LINE, THE MAN AND THE TREE, and more bring acclaimed Hawai‘i films back to the big screen this November and December. Fresh off sold-out screenings and acclaimed premieres at the 46th Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani (HIFF46), award winners and audience favorites return to the big
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 2024/25 HOCCI supports Hawai‘i-based critics to be a HIFF45 press cohort to cover films, panels, or filmmakers at the 45th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani. Film criticism will consists of four different focuses: writing, podcasting, video essays, and vlogs.
