FUTURE FILMMAKERS 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.
Maui-born Destin Cretton, is fresh off the release of Marvel Studios’ newest film, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung. This is the first film in the MCU that is led by an Asian actor, and mostly Asian cast. Destin’s feature film debut, “I Am Not a Hipster”, premiered at Sundance in 2012. And was followed by Short Term 12, which won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival in 2013, featuring early performances by Brie Larson, Lakeith Stanfield, Rami Malek, Kaitlyn Dever, and John Gallagher Jr. His third feature, an adaptation of the NY Times best-selling memoir, The Glass Castle, starred Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts and was released in 2016 by Lionsgate. Following this, Destin directed Just Mercy for Warner Bros, the adaptation of the NY-Times best-selling memoir by civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson. The film starred Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson.
2021 FUTURE FILMMAKERS STUDENT WINNERS
1st Place High School - 'Iolani School
First place in the high school division went to MEANWHILE IN PARADISE, a short film directed by ‘Iolani School student filmmakers Braden Cruz, Kaitlyn Chang, Alex Awaya. The film examines anti-Asian prejudice and human connection through a story about an elderly Japanese American man who reflects upon his childhood during wartime Hawai’i.
1st Place Middle School - Kealakehe Intermediate School & Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
In the middle school division, first place went to ALONE TOGETHER, a collaborative project directed by students from the media programs at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School on Kaua’i: Mei Kanada, Mei Kawakami, and Marlon Ultrera. This short film was created during the lockdown in the 4th quarter of last school year and was a true collaborative project by 17 middle school students who worked in teams for about 5 weeks to bring this to life.
2nd Place High School - Roosevelt High School
REALIZATION: A GENERATIONAL AWAKENING with student filmmakers, Inez Amihan Anderson and Taylor Vitarelli from Roosevelt High School.
2nd Place Middle School - Ewa Makai Middle School
GENZ: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER with student filmmakers, Isabella Rose Rodriguez, Aaliyah Tancio, Alleli Bella Ponce, Landon Espritu, and Addison Johnson from Ewa Makai Middle School.
DKII Creativity Award - Maui High School
Winner of the DKII Award for Creativity and Poignancy went to THE TRIBULATIONS OF APPRECIATION with student filmmaker Faith Christy Madariaga Soliven of Maui High School.
Spotlight on Alaska
New this year is our Spotlight on Alaska category! Featured this year is a short film titled A HERO’S CLIMB by Elizabeth Hope, a middle school student from Juneau, Alaska.
2021 THEME: “The Greatest Generation & the COVID Generation: Hope & Resiliency in Unprecedented Times”
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.
*Check back in early 2022 for the new theme!
All interested students in grades 6th-12th in Hawai’i are invited to submit to this open call. Contest submissions open up in early 2022.
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! 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. Contest opens in early 2022!
For any questions, please contact Education Coordinator, Jen May Pastores, at jenmay@hiff.org
Students whose films are selected will be invited to a special presentation screening and post-screening Q&A session with audience members during HIFF42’s fall festival in November 2022. 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.
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
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.
This contest is also supported by the YOMYOMF Foundation, which supports Asian Pacific American artists as well as artists from other traditionally underrepresented communities who wish to pursue careers in film, TV, theater and new media.
