HIFILM INDUSTRY CONFERENCE - Oct 24 - 26 @ Chaminade University

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Join us for the inaugural HIFILM Industry Conference, a groundbreaking three-day immersive event taking place during HIFF’s 45th Annual Fall Festival presented by Halekulani in October 2025.

The HIFILM Industry Conference is designed to offer a comprehensive and dynamic experience for all attendees. The conference is rigorous and wide-ranging in its approach, tackling pressing industry topics such as locating a global audience focused on Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika stories, while also offering rare opportunities to engage with visionary creators at the top of their game who will present this year’s keynotes – a Producer-of-the-Year and a Director-of-the-Year respectively.

Your HIFILM Industry Conference Pass grants you full access to all three days of the inaugural HIFILM Industry Conference, including panels, workshops, networking events, and special gatherings with industry leaders. Enjoy complimentary food and beverages throughout the conference, beginning with an opening night reception featuring elevated pūpū by Chef Keaka Lee of Kapa Hale. Passes are extremely limited, so secure yours early.

Passes are on sale in now for all HIFILM Industry Members receiving early access!

Space is limited, so sign up for a HIFILM Industry Membership today to get early access to the Industry Conference in addition to panels, networking events, HIFF’s Fiscal Sponsorship program, and more throughout the year.

 

HIFILM INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

$ 125 All 3 Days
  • Many panels, workshops, networking events, and special gatherings with industry leaders
  • Networking with Film Industry Peers
  • Enjoy complimentary food and beverages throughout the conference
LIMITED Quantity

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE –  Full schedule will be announced soon

DAY 1
Friday 10/24 4pm-7pm

DAY 2
Sat 10/25 10am-4pm

DAY 3
Sunday 10/26 10am-7pm

DAY 1

Opening Night Networking Reception


Enjoy Live Music as well as Elevated Bites & Beverages Courtesy of Kapa Hale Chef, Keaka Lee

Key Note Speaker: Glenn Gainor

Glenn Gainor: An in-depth dialogue with a trailblazing producer (former head of Amazon Movies, Physical Production), who just launched Hollywood Ventures Group, a diversified film production outfit and consultancy designed to meet the current moment in global filmmaking.

Presented by the Honolulu Film Office



All Weekend THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE
:

Community Network Fair:

Resources & Connections for Hawai‘i Creatives


All sessions and activities will take place at Chaminade University, October 24 – 26, 2025 
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 

DAY 2

Good Morning Panel

Navigating the New Independent Film Landscape: From creative development to distribution in 2025 and beyond w/ Producer Mynette Louie (ROSEMEAD)


Panel: Cinema Without Borders

 
Cinema Without Borders: The Power of International Co-Productions. Janice Chua (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) & officials from Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)

HIFILM Storytellers Lab Mini-Presentation
 

Networking/Lunch @ Festival Lounge
+Community Network Fair

 

Panel TBD

– Pending w/Major Network Sponsor


Key Note Speaker: Ben Proudfoot

 

Director-in-Residence: Ben Proudfoot

Join 2 time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot for an in-depth conversation on the art and impact of short-form storytelling.

Industry Mixer:

Filmmaker Meet & Greet — Connect over drinks and snacks with fellow creatives and decision-makers

DAY 3

Good Morning Presentation

Narrative Sovereignty in Television: The Making of TANGATA PAI. Decolonizing the TV landscape, reclaiming Indigenous narratives, and crafting globally resonant, locally grounded storytelling

Panel | TBD

 

HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE COHORT Mini-Presentation

 


Networking/Lunch @ Festival Lounge
+Community Network Fair


Panel: Marie Jamora

Directing the Journey: Marie Jamora on Breaking Into TV

Panel | TBD

– Pending w/Major Streaming Hawai’i-Based Show


Closing Day Happy Hour Reception

Mix and mingle with conference attendees, speakers, and local creatives as we officially end this inaugural event

DAY 1

Opening Night Networking Reception

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

 



All Weekend THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE
:

Community Network Fair:

Resources & Connections for Hawai‘i Creatives



All sessions and activities will take place at Chaminade University, October 24 – 26, 2025 
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 

DAY 2

Good Morning Panel: TBA

 


Panel 2: TBA

 

HIFILM Storytellers Lab Mini-Presentation
 

Networking/Lunch @ Festival Lounge
+Community Network Fair

 

Panel 3: TBA

 

 

Industry Mixer:

Filmmaker Meet & Greet — Connect over drinks and snacks with fellow creatives and decision-makers

DAY 3

Good Morning Panel: TBA

 

Panel 2: TBA



HIFF ONLINE CREATIVES & CRITICS IMMERSIVE (HOCCI) COHORT Mini-Presentation


Networking/Lunch @ Festival Lounge
+Community Network Fair


Panel 3: TBA

 

Panel 4: TBA



Closing Day Happy Hour Reception

Mix and mingle with conference attendees, speakers, and local creatives as we officially end this inaugural event

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS FROM HIFF44

2025 HIFILM Industry conference sponsors

Major
PREMIERE
SUPPORTERS

 

Be Part of the Scene! Sponsor HIFF’s HIFILM Industry Conference 

We are seeking forward-thinking sponsors and partners to support this landmark event and align with Hawai‘i’s growing creative economy. Your sponsorship will provide unparalleled brand visibility, direct engagement with industry leaders, and access to an influential audience of filmmakers, producers, and decision-makers.

Let’s build the future of storytelling together in Hawai‘i. To explore sponsorship opportunities, please contact us below for more information.