Homestay Program
What is HIFF Homestay?
The 45th Annual Hawaiʻi International Film Festival is fast approaching, and we are excited to once again bring captivating films and engaging cultural events to our vibrant community. As we gear up for this year’s festival, we are in search of homestay hosts who are willing to open their hearts and homes to our seasonal contractors during the month of October. With hotel accommodations and short term rental costs continuing to skyrocket
We hire dozens of seasonal team members on contract in order to do the specialized work of planning and running a film festival. We depend on people with experience working within the frenzied environment of a festival, putting in the long hours and ability to travel and/or work remotely. Some of these festival experts often must be hired from other cities because there aren’t enough film festivals in Hawaii to foster the specialized skillset of those seasonal workers who may work all year-round on the film festival circuit.
The seasonal staff members that would be needing housing are all long-time HIFF team members who work within the Tech Team, Transportation, Guest Services, Events and Filmmaker services. All eligible staff must agree to a code of conduct and will be aware of the HIFF protocols when staying with a Homestay Host. If you choose to offer your space to a HIFF Crew member, you will be provided a bio and profile of those we will be traveling in.
Why Become a Homestay Host?
By becoming a homestay host for our dedicated seasonal contractors, you will play an integral role in creating a warm and welcoming environment for these individuals. Your support will help ensure that they have a comfortable place to call home during their stay in Hawaiʻi.
As a homestay host, you will have the opportunity to:
- Cultural Exchange: Interact with festival professionals, filmmakers, and film enthusiasts from various backgrounds, creating lasting connections and gaining a deeper understanding of the film festival world.
- Contribute to the Festival’s Success: Your support will directly impact the smooth operation of the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival and help create an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Make a Difference: By opening your home, you provide our seasonal contractors with a safe and nurturing environment, allowing them to focus on their important work and make lifelong memories.
Other benefits include:
- In-kind donation letter for tax purposes
- One year HIFF Selects Membership
- 6 Pack Ticket package for HIFF Fall Festival
In order to participate, you will need to be able to offer reasonable accommodation for one or more individuals for any period of time between October 13 – October 29, 2025. 10-12 days is ideal, but even 3-4 days could help relieve any accommodations that are paid in cash, or also might accommodate a visiting filmmaker instead.
How Can You Get Involved?
We invite you to join us as a homestay host for HIFF. To participate, please follow these steps:
- Complete the Homestay Host Application
- Provide Necessary Details: Fill out the application form, providing us with your contact information, preferences, and any specific requirements you may have.
- Screening and Matching Process: Our team will carefully review the applications and conduct a screening process to ensure a suitable match between hosts and seasonal contractors.
- Welcome Your Guest: Once matched, you will welcome your seasonal HIFF team member(s) into your home during their stay in October, making them feel like a part of your extended family.
We request that you submit your homestay host application by August 31 to ensure ample time for the screening and matching process.
If becoming a homestay host is not feasible for you at this time, we encourage you to consider supporting HIFF in other ways, like making a donation, volunteering your time. Your generous donations will help us continue to showcase remarkable films and create a transformative festival experience.
We deeply appreciate your support in making the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival a resounding success. Your commitment to cultural exchange and community engagement is invaluable, and together, we can create an unforgettable celebration of cinema and diversity.
Questions about accommodations, time frames and guests? Please contact us