DKII FUTURE FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
As we partner with organizations like the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, we work to build a better future by working with students and young filmmakers who have a powerful voice to reimagine a new world. Each year this contest has a new theme. Student finalists selected to showcase at HIFF will also have the opportunity to meet a celebrity youth ambassador in a private Q&A discussion and Awards Ceremony. Past guests include actors Phillipa Soo, Jacob Batalon, and Harry Shum, Jr.
2021 THEME: “The Greatest Generation & the COVID Generation: Hope & Resiliency in Unprecedented Times” - Deadline to submit is September 24, 2021
Young Americans who are coming of age in a time of the COVID-19 pandemic are faced with unprecedented challenges and isolation. Similar to those of the “Greatest Generation,” or those who were shaped by the Great Depression and World War II, how will youth of the “COVID Generation” now decide how history will define them? For this year’s prompt, we want to hear from students, through the lens of resiliency and hope, what will it take for us as a state, a nation, and a world to move forward?
RULES & INSTRUCTIONS
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of our community. We ask students to stay safe while filming and preparing their submission.
All interested students in grades 6th-12th in Hawai’i are invited to submit to this open call. To get started, please sign-up on the contest form to prepare your submission at: https://tinyurl.com/DKII2021
Your short film can be a narrative, documentary, animation, PSA, etc that answers the contest prompt above. For ideas and inspiration, please check out student films that were showcased last year: https://vimeo.com/showcase/
7872471 Students may create a short film individually or with a group of up to 5 other students. We welcome collaborations with other schools.
The short films must be at least 1 minute in length and up to 5 minutes max.
Films may be made with a smartphone, tablet, or digital camera. Zoom record, Tik-Tok, or animated films are also welcomed. Get creative!
Be sure to join us for a series of fun summer workshops online that kicks-off with a VIP guest! This will be a great way to meet other students and get ideas and guidance for your film submission.
Films must be submitted on HIFF’s FilmFreeway page under the “DKII Future Filmmakers” at: https://filmfreeway.com/HIFF. There is no entry cost to submit.
The deadline to submit is extended to Friday, September 24, 2021.
For any questions, please contact Education Coordinator, Jen May Pastores, at jenmay@hiff.org
Students whose films are selected for the 2021 Future Filmmakers Showcase will be invited to a special presentation screening and post-screening Q&A session with audience members during HIFF’s 41st Fall Festival in November. During the Festival, they will also be invited to a private luncheon with a VIP guest and an Awards Ceremony where winners will be announced.
SUMMER WORKSHOPS - July 2021
July was an exciting month at HIFF Education! Students had the opportunity to learn from F9: THE FAST SAGA star Sung Kang in a private virtual Q&A during the Future Filmmakers summer kick-off. Sung Kang is an American actor and producer. His first major role was as Han Lue in the Fast & Furious franchise, a character he first portrayed in Better Luck Tomorrow (2002).
Following the kickoff, students met with local award winning filmmaker, Justyn Ah Chong, to brainstorm ideas and prepare their short film for HIFF’s Fall Festival. Justyn Ah Chong is a Native Hawaiian filmmaker and a graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Most recently, Justyn was involved in producing the George Helm narrative bio-pic, HAWAIIAN SOUL (2020), which premiered at the 2020 Hawai’i International Film Festival and won best Made in Hawaii Short and an Audience Award.
Future Filmmakers, with Daniel K. Inouye Institute, supports 6th-12th grade students in Hawai’i and Alaska in making a short film for HIFF’s Future Filmmakers Showcase during the Fall Festival in November. The Daniel K. Inouye Institute was established in 2013 to preserve Senator Inouye’s papers and tell his life story; support STEM education, civics learning and international educational-cultural exchanges; and establish a repository of the Asian American/Pacific experience.
2020 DKII FUTURE FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE WINNERS
Congrats to the winning student films who participated in HIFF’s DKII Future Filmmakers contest! All finalists were invited to meet this year’s Youth Ambassador, actress and singer Phillipa Soo (OVER THE MOON and Broadway musical HAMILTON star), and the following winners were announced by our special guest, Ken Inouye. Check out a recording of the Awards Ceremony below.
1st Place, High School
Devan Fujinaka, Iolani School, WITH LOVE
2nd Place, High School
Tiffany Liu, Campbell High School, LIGHT
1st Place, Middle School
Miley Cox, Waimea Middle School, MY LETTER TO THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT
2nd Place, Middle School
Isabella Rose Ciera, Isabella Rodriguez, Luc Giusto, Ewa Makai Middle School, DEAR FUTURE PRESIDENT
Originality Award
Noah Raquino, Punahou School, PIECE OF CAKE
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