HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest, a one-of-a-kind youth film festival that shines a spotlight on Hawai’i’s young filmmakers and their original short films, is a memorable family event dedicated to celebrating the art of cinema and storytelling through showcases, workshops, and panels. Make plans to join us at the second edition of HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest in Honolulu April 11 – 13, 2025. 

At ‘Ōpio Fest, there are exciting opportunities for student filmmakers to meet film professionals and industry icons who have forged exemplary Hollywood careers, as they impart career advice and their own personal journeys as filmmakers to Hawai‘i’s future filmmaking professionals. Past dignitaries include Eric Bauza (LOONY TOONES, THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE), Auli‘i Cravalho (MOANA, THE POWER, MEAN GIRLS), Harry Shum, Jr. (GLEE, CRAZY RICH ASIANS), Jacob Batalon (SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME), Phillipa Soo (HAMILTON), Destin Daniel Cretton (director, SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS), and Peyton Elizabeth Lee (DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, M.D.).

We encourage student filmmakers (K-12th grade) in Hawai’i to submit works from any genre in the Student Showcase category and to submit short narratives/documentaries to the theme of “Together We Thrive” in the Future Filmmakers category (6th-12th grade).