In THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS and STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS, wāhine Hawaiʻi (Native Hawaiian women) take center stage. A hundred years separate the events of the films, but both celebrate the unique ways in which wāhine resist settler colonialism. Across time, love of land and lāhui help us persist through every storm. The animated medium of
SISAM is a fictional drama with a historical backdrop set during the Edo period in the middle of conflicts that arose between the men of Wa or Wajin (those of settler-Japanese ancestry), and the Indigenous Ainu tribes of Ezochi (what is now known as Hokkaido). Kojiro is the son of a Samurai who is part
“Ever since the United States became a nation in 1787, and Canada in 1867, Indigenous peoples exercising their sovereignty and self determination have been depicted as terrorists… when the state or a powerful corporation identifies an individual as a terrorist, they can act with impunity against even your most basic human rights” — Joanne Barker
The Hong Kong film industry has risen from the doldrums of the pandemic with the rise of local films gaining prominence and high box office grosses in 2024. This is best personified with Soi Cheang’s neo-noir action extravaganza TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN broke box office records and kicked off a new franchise in
HIFF44 ANNOUNCES FEATURE FILM SELECTIONS, HONOREES, AND SIGNATURE PROGRAMMING The Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani celebrates its 44th year (HIFF44) as the premiere cinematic film festival in the Pacific with the theme “Creating New Traditions” highlighting the best in new cinema from Hawai‘i, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the world while blending the
Instagram Facebook Youtube The HIFF Fall Festival is more than a celebration of films – it brings a premier red carpet experience to the islands for all to enjoy. Now in our 44th year, there are so many special memories from those in the HIFF community. Let’s take a look back at some of those
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.
