September 22, 2004 was the day when the ABC Network aired the pilot episode of LOST. Two decades since the groundbreaking series first captivated audiences with its blend of mystery, sci-fi, and human drama, LOST redefined television storytelling with its nonlinear narrative, deeply developed characters, and intricate plot twists. Set on a mysterious island after […]
Happy 20th Anniversary to LOST: A Look Back Read More »
The HIFF44 programming team is very excited to present four stellar films from India that represent a truly banner year for one of the largest film industries in the world. Best known for Bollywood—bombastic song and dance extravaganzas about star-crossed, yet chaste, lovers-to-be—this year’s crop of Indian films present a more dramatic, elegiac tone that
Banner Year for Indian Films at HIFF44 Read More »
When international films get chosen to be featured at festivals like HIFF worldwide, it starts them on a journey in hopes of gaining wider accolades, and few match the prestige of winning an Oscar. Our festival has been fortunate enough in years past to screen foreign films that later went on win such a coveted
International Feature Film Oscar Nominee Hopefuls Showing at HIFF Read More »
The Taiwan film industry in 2024 stands at a fascinating crossroads, marked by a renaissance of creativity, a bold embrace of storytelling and genre diversity, and an increasing presence on the global stage with major exposure on the film festival circuit. Over the years, Taiwan’s cinematic output has evolved significantly, reflecting the island’s rich cultural
Spotlight on Taiwan: A Fascinating Crossroads in 2024 Read More »
In THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS and STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS, wāhine Hawaiʻi (Native Hawaiian women) take center stage. A hundred years separate the events of the films, but both celebrate the unique ways in which wāhine resist settler colonialism. Across time, love of land and lāhui help us persist through every storm. The animated medium of
Film For Thought: THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS + STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS (HIFF44) Read More »
SISAM is a fictional drama with a historical backdrop set during the Edo period in the middle of conflicts that arose between the men of Wa or Wajin (those of settler-Japanese ancestry), and the Indigenous Ainu tribes of Ezochi (what is now known as Hokkaido). Kojiro is the son of a Samurai who is part
Film For Thought: SISAM (HIFF44) Read More »
“Ever since the United States became a nation in 1787, and Canada in 1867, Indigenous peoples exercising their sovereignty and self determination have been depicted as terrorists… when the state or a powerful corporation identifies an individual as a terrorist, they can act with impunity against even your most basic human rights” — Joanne Barker
Film For Thought: YINTAH (HIFF44) Read More »
The Hong Kong film industry has risen from the doldrums of the pandemic with the rise of local films gaining prominence and high box office grosses in 2024. This is best personified with Soi Cheang’s neo-noir action extravaganza TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN broke box office records and kicked off a new franchise in
Spotlight on Hong Kong: 2024, The Road to Recovery Read More »
HIFF44 ANNOUNCES FEATURE FILM SELECTIONS, HONOREES, AND SIGNATURE PROGRAMMING The Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani celebrates its 44th year (HIFF44) as the premiere cinematic film festival in the Pacific with the theme “Creating New Traditions” highlighting the best in new cinema from Hawai‘i, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the world while blending the
HIFF44 PRESENTS: FULL PROGRAMMING LINEUP Read More »
Meet the talented trio interning with HIFF this summer: Jordan, Sean, and Robby! JORDAN BROWN My name is Jordan Brown and I am a recent graduate of UH Manoa with a degree in communications. My main career goal is to ultimately become an actor, but I would also love to become more involved in the
MEET HIFF’S SUMMER INTERNS Read More »