HIFF is excited to renew our partnership with the Prince Waikiki for the 2nd annual Prince Waikiki Summer Flix presented by HIFF, a FREE outdoor screening film series every Wednesday this summer! Featuring a mix of Hollywood blockbusters, as well as HIFF a selection of award-winning Hawai‘i films, all official selections of past HIFF editions. Screenings are FREE and great with friends and ‘ohana (parental guidance suggested)! Many of these screenings will also feature live Q&As with special guests to bring the true film festival experience!
Aside from the entire film series being free to the public, there will be drink specials and special menus items for these events – also complimentary validated parking (with purchase of a drink or food item from Hinana Bar). All screenings will also be held at the elegant Muliwai Deck on the 5th floor of the hotel. Enjoy good company and great films on the big screen under the starlit sky this summer! NO RSVP REQUIRED. Films will begin just after sunset.
Prince Waikiki Hotel – Films start at 7 PM or Sunset (come early for best seating and food orders)
May 29
20th Anniversery
MEAN GIRLS (2004, PG-13, 97 min, USA, Director: Mark Waters)
Believe it or not, it’s the 20th Anniversary of this classic comedy starring Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron who is a hit with “The Plastics”, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.
Celebrate the original high school horror show and bring your own obnoxious clique.
JUNE 5
Wes Anderson WEdnesday
Feature Film: THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
(2002, R, 110 min, USA, Director: Wes Anderson)
Come dressed in your fanciest Wes Anderson fits to reminisce with your favorite eccentric and dysfunctional family as they reluctantly gather under the same roof for various reasons.
Short Film: PŌ‘ELE WAI
(2023, NR, 23 min, Hawaiʻi , Director: Tiare Ribeaux)
A weaver navigates between survival and her connection to the ‘āina (land) while a mysterious rash grows on her body. While working as a house cleaner, she becomes entranced by a mysterious painting inspired by a Hawaiian creation story. As her rash worsens, she experiences a transformation when she realizes her drinking water has been poisoned by fuel leaking into the island’s watersheds.
Q&A with Director Tiare Ribeaux
JUNE 12
PRIDE MONTH
Feature Film: MY PARTNER
(2022, NR, 100 min, Hawaiʻi, Director: Keliʻi Grace)
Keli’i Grace (Director, ALA MOANA BOYS) returns to HIFF with a touching tale of High School crushes, cultural preservation and more. MY PARTNER follows two high school boys–Pili (Kaipo Dudoit, who was recently cast in the live action LILO & STITCH), a Native Hawaiian student-athlete standout, and Edmar (Jayron Munoz), a high-achieving Filipino student–both from different social worlds who experience no romantic feelings for each other, when they are paired by their teacher to work on a final semester project together.
Q&A with Filmmakers
Short Film: AIKĀNE
(2023, NR, 14 min, Hawai‘i, Director: Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson)
A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescued him transforms into a handsome young man, they become aikāne, bound by love and trust, and an epic adventure begins.
Q&A with Filmmakers
JUNE 19
ALOHA GOT SOUL PRESENTS
BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE
(2023, PG-13, 93 min, USA, Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods)
The story of how reggae icon Bob Marley overcame adversity, and the journey behind his revolutionary music.
Join Aloha Got Soul DJ’s for a pau hana Reggae set from 6 – 7 PM.
JUNE 26
BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE!
Feature Film: BEETLEJUICE
(1988, PG, 92 min, USA, Director: Tim Burton)
Get ready for Tim Burton’s long awaited follow up this fall and recap the death defying 80’s madcap as the spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.
HIFF ‘ŌPIO FEST WINNING SHORTS
Short Film: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
(2023, NR, 6 min, Hawaiʻi, Director: Cameryn Koike)
1st Place High School Division – Student Showcase
A family of cats struggling with their finances is disappointed when their Christmas lights burn out, but then get some unexpected help.
Cameryn Koike is a junior at Mid-Pacific Institute and prolific animator. Her passion is writing and animating adorable and engaging characters.
Short Film: THE TEMPLE OF SOLITUDE: A MUSICAL EXPLORATION OF COMMUNITY AND HARMONY
(2023, NR, 4 min, Hawaiʻi, Director: DeMarcus Koa Allen)
1st Place High School Division – Future Filmmakers Showcase
This is a story about a boy who endured a bitter yet beautiful journey. He finds a passion in music and follows it. He loses direction and finds himself lost in his thoughts. We follow him as he resolves the issue and creates a crew of others similar to him.
DeMarcus Koa Allen is a senior at James Campbell High School.
Q&A with Directors Cameryn Koike & DeMarcus Koa Allen
July 3
PACIFIKA AWARD WINNERS
Feature Film: RED WHITE & BRASS
(2022, NR, 85 min, New Zealand, Director: Damon Fepulea’i)
Inspired by a true story. Straight up, this actually happened…Maka, a Tongan superfan, will do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga versus France Rugby World Cup game-–even if that means promising to deliver a brass band for the pre-match entertainment. Only problem is, the band doesn’t exist and Maka has four weeks to make one. From the producers of Kiwi comedy hits HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE and THE BREAKER UPPERERS.
Short Film: E MALAMA PONO, WILLY BOY
(2022, NR, 18 min, Hawaiʻi, Director: Scott W. Kekama Amona)
Native Hawaiian HPD officer William “Willy Boy” Kupihea and his partner Leonard Akina are sent to evict the Native Hawaiian residents of a settlement deemed “illegal” by the State of Hawaii. But when Kupihea discovers a little girl who turns out to be his cousin’s daughter, he has to choose between what is legally right versus what is culturally pono.
Q&A with Filmmakers
July 10
BARBIE
(2023, PG-13, 114 min, USA, Director: Greta Gerwig)
Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Not that you need a reason to dress up like a doll, but you definitely should on this night.
July 17
HAWAIIAN HEROES SHORTS
UNCLE BULLY’S SURF SKOOL
(2023, NR, 40 min, Hawai‘i/USA, Director: Leah Warshawski, Todd Soliday)
Surf instructor “Uncle Bully” uses his unique approach to life (in and out of the water) along with his power of simply being present to reach and teach the minds of at-risk youth by sharing surf culture, ocean respect, and kindness with them.
SEEING WITH HAWAIIAN EYES
(2023, NR, 14 min, Hawaiʻi, Director: Hunter Naho’oikaika)
“Seeing with Hawaiian Eyes” follows Lehia, as she establishes an indigenous farm with her partner Brad and father Ricky, preserving the Native Hawaiian culture. Together, they perpetuate practices through agroforestry. Along the way, they explore the profound impact of the Kaho’olawe bombings. Witness their commitment to a sustainable future deeply rooted in traditions.
Q&A with Filmmakers
AMEFIL
(2023, NR, 16 min, Hawaiʻi, Director: Eleni Avendaño)
For the first time on film, 80-year-old Hawai‘i civil rights pioneer and Filipina activist Amy Agbayani gives voice to her own history, which in turn traces landmark events in the story of social justice in Hawai‘i. Her advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom and broader community serves as a lesson in persistence for the next generation of activists who hope to fight systemic racism and discrimination.
Q&A with Filmmakers
July 24
808 FILM CREW NIGHT
NEXT GOAL WINS
(2023, PG-13, 103 min, USA, Director: Taika Waititi)
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on a true story, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
We will be joined by local cast & crew from the film for some talk story
July 31
SONGS OF LOVE FROM HAWAI‘I
(2022, NR, 85 min, Hawaiʻi, South Korea, Director: Jinyoung Lee Won)
SONGS OF LOVE is a captivating musical documentary that unveils 120 years of Korean American history in Hawai’i. It weaves together stories and melodies, celebrating resilience, love, and dreams within the community. Set against Island’s stunning landscapes, the film features Grammy-winning violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, virtuoso violinists Chee-Yun and Ignace Iggy Jang, and slack key guitarist Keola Beamer.