HIFF43 PRODUCER-IN-RESIDENCE MASTERCLASS with Ram Bergman
presented by the Honolulu Film Office

12:00 PM | 90 MINS

Honolulu Film Office presents the inaugural PRODUCERS-IN-RESIDENCE program as part of HIFFs educational and career development initiatives in support of Hawaii’s film & tv industry. HIFF is proud to present award-winning Ram Bergman as the inaugural HIFF Producer-in-Residence. Bergman has produced dozens of acclaimed film and TV projects that have been released to global audiences over a 30 year career. Known for Producing Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Knives Out, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in an intimate discussion with a master producer. 

REAL WORLD FILM SCHOOL: How real world experiences translate to work in Film & TV

2:00 PM | 90 MINS

When Hollywood goes on strike, it doesn’t just affect actors, screenwriters and directors, but hundreds of crew members behind the scenes with everyday skills and experiences in other departments–i.e. stunt work through surf doubles/water safety, martial arts; construction, photography (location scouting); drivers/mechanics (transportation), just to name a few. When Film & TV work starts up again, teams will be looking for people with practical knowledge you don’t learn in film school. HIFF will speak with local crew members about their past and how it applies to their lucrative career in Hollywood.

Panelists: Irish Barber (Past President IATSE 665), Victor Lozano (Surfer, Stuntman & Marine Coordinator), Amira Soliman (Teamster 996 Location Manager), Major Alex Lim (Director, USMC Film Office, formerly stationed at MCB Hawaii), and moderated by Kent Matsuoka (Producer).

HOMETOWN HEROES: Current Projects in Development

4:00 PM | 90 MINS

First held in 2017, HIFF resumes its soon-to-be yearly “The State of 808 Indie Filmmaking” talk story/check-in to speak with locally-based filmmakers, as well as members of Hawai‘i’s indie film community.

This year’s edition of “The State of 808 Indie Filmmaking” talk story provides a platform or locally-based filmmakers and Hawai‘i’s indie film community. This panel focuses on two upcoming projects: Kānaka Maoli feature film MAKAWALU—A film portmanteau that takes place during one monumental evening at a tourist lū’au; and the new documentary feature from Hawai‘i-born director, Sundance and HIFF alum Christopher Makoto Yogi (I WAS A SIMPLE MAN, Sundance 2021, HIFF 2021 Award Winner; AUGUST AT AKIKO’S, The New Yorker’s “Best Movies of 2019”). While details are currently being kept under wraps, this project will be officially announced shortly before the start of HIFF43.

NATIVE RECKONING: The Fight Against Climate Gentrification

4:30 PM | 60 MINS 

Climate gentrification is a result of climate migration, changes in populations due to environmental changes caused by climate change, in which certain lower-socioeconomic communities are displaced as a place of housing for more wealthy communities. Several films across the HIFF43 program illustrate this topic, from Brazil to Myanmar to Maui, as well other coastal communities like Miami (see RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE). This GREEN SCREEN and INDIGENOUS LENS panel explores this topic with filmmakers, as well as local experts and activists that are amplifying this topic and fighting for socio-economic and racial justice.  

THE RISE OF HAWAI‘I CINEMA presented by Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti [PEAK]

6:00 PM | 60 MINS // PARTY TO FOLLOW

A talanoa with kanāka professionals where we reflect on the state of the entertainment industry, creating opportunities, and riding the next wave of Hawai’i cinema. This frank discussion will be led by PEAK executive director Kristian “Krit” Fanene Schmidt. Confirmed panelists include Ty Sanga (Director, HŌKŪLEʻA: FINDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE NAVIGATOR); Ioane Goodhue (Actor, NEXT GOAL WINS, E MALAMA PONO, WILLY BOY, upcoming CHAPERONE); Kalikolehua Hurley (Sr. Manager, D&I Content & Culture Strategies at Walt Disney Animation Studios); Brian Keaulana (Waterman, Stunt Coordinator, Co-Founder ICAN).

Followed by light entertainment and refreshments.  

ʻULUʻULU MOVING IMAGE ARCHIVE PRESENTS: TREASURES (1985)

2:00 PM | 90 MINS

This year’s ʻUluʻulu  film presentation and panel, in partnership with Bishop Museum, will feature three episodes of TREASURES, a docuseries that was produced and broadcast on KHON (Channel 2) in 1985. The episodes focus on three individual “treasures” in our community.  All have eventually passed away, but their stories and legacies live on. For the first time, this year’s HIFF/ʻULUʻULU program will be held at the University of Hawai‘i West Oahu ACM Campus, a state-of-the-art facility and also headquarters of ʻUluʻulu: The Henry Kuʻualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawaiʻi. 

IN CONVERSATION WITH CLIFF CURTIS presented by ICAN

4:00 PM | 90 MINS

Celebrated Māori actor Cliff Curtis is considered one of the most versatile actors working in Hollywood. His work in his native New Zealand ranges from THE PIANO, ONCE WERE WARRIORS, and WHALE RIDER to his knack for playing different ethnicities in Hollywood in major motion pictures and network series, for over three decades. But as their is a swing for authentic portrayals and stories in Hollywood and global cinema in general, Curtis enters a new phase in his acting career, focusing on Pasifika characters–from the award winning MURU in his native Aotearoa, as well as producing alongside fellow Kiwi Taika Waititi (BOY, EAGLE VS SHARK) and documentaries on the Godmother of Indigenous films, Merata Mita in MERATA: HOW MUM DECOLONISED THE SCREEN. Audiences will get insight on a journeyman actor’s career and one who reflects the past, present and future of Pasifika entertainment.