INDIGENOUS LENS powered by Pacific Islanders in Communications starts today through April 25

BEANS (Canada) - In Tracey Deer’s debut feature, this narrative chronicles the 78-day standoff between two Mohawk communities and government forces in Quebec. Based on true events of the Oka Crisis in 1990, which Deer experienced herself as a child; told through the point of view Tekehentahkhwa - a young Mohawk girl, nicknamed "Beans." The film world premiered at last fall's Toronto Film Festival.

The U.S. Premiere of THE CHILDREN OF THE CORAL (French Polynesia), directed by Karim Mahdjouba. Since 2017, the members of Coral Gardeners Association of Moorea are mobilizing to replant corals in the seabed of Moorea. This documentary follows Titouan Bernicot, 21, resident of the sister’s island of Tahiti, and their current leadership to bring together volunteers aged from 14 to 25 years old.

HIGH GROUND (Australia) - In a bid to save the last of his family, Gutjuk, a young Aboriginal man, teams up with ex-soldier Travis (Simon Baker, HIFF39 Career Achievement Award Honoree) to track down Baywara, the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, his uncle. 

WAIKIKI (Hawai‘i) - This award-winning narrative feature, directed by Christopher Kahunahana, is a visceral allegory for the contemporary issues which plague Hawaiiʻs people, from mental illness, physical abuse, and the loss of Hawaiian identity. It is the winner of the HIFF40 Award for Best Made in Hawai‘i Feature. Limited Engagement 

The mission of Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) is to support, advance, and develop Pacific Island media content and talent that results in a deeper understanding of Pacific Island history, culture, and contemporary challenges. Programming two major feature film works that they funded and co-produced--THE LAND HAS EYES (Sundance 2002 Official Selection) and ONE VOICE (HIFF 2010 Audience Award Winner)--and pairing them with brand new short films--and MAHALO COVID-19 and LET'S REMEMBER OUR ANCESTORS (Ta Hasso I Manaina). These new shorts are thematically connected and is a means to examine post-colonial nodes of preservation, reckoning, sustainability and trauma. It’s a means to bring these ideas up-to-speed, especially in the pandemic world. 

PIC has been a legacy partner for many years and we are honored to continue our partnership by celebrating their 30th anniversary with INDIGENOUS LENS. 

Free Virtual Panel:

FROM BOOK TO SCREEN: THE FILM ADAPTATION OF COUSINS AS CASE STUDY

Based on the 1992 novel by Patricia Grace (the first Maori woman to be published and a pioneer in Pacific Islander literature), COUSINS entwines the very different lives of three Maori girls, cousins, through tumultuous decades, after one of them is taken from her family and raised in an orphanage. 

We speak with screenwriter and director Briar Grace Smith about adapting the the beloved novel to the big screen, including the many challenges involved in creating a new work that honors the original text. We will also examine this film as a “case study” and inspiration for Kanaka Maoli (First Peoples of Hawai‘i) literature and their own journey for filmed adaptations.

Enter your awards predictions in HIFF's Oscar Ballot Game to win a HIFF VIP Package

In continuing HIFF’s tradition of celebrating the Academy Awards on April 25, 2021, HIFF brings to you a fun and engaging Oscar Ballot game while also showing your support for your favorite Festival!

In an effort to help Hawai’i recover safely from the COVID-19 pandemic, HIFF will not be hosting an Oscar event in 2021. Instead, we invite our community to guess the 2021 Academy Award winners on your HIFF Oscar Ballot and submit before April 25th for a chance to win!

Share with friends while you watch the Oscars at home this year. The winning ballot (the ballot with the most correct answers) will win a HIFF 2021 VIP package including swag, VIP tickets to all HIFF 2021 events and screenings, and more!

Proceeds from the HIFF Oscar Ballot game go directly towards supporting HIFF’s industry building and educational initiatives.

Japanese, Foodie, and French mini-film fests broaden the lineup for HIFF's Showcase Series this season

In a re-imagined 2021 Spring Showcase edition, the Hawai‘i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani, is expanding their annual spring programming into a HIFF Showcase Series season--4 unique mini-festivals, each with a thematic focus, and presented monthly starting in April through July. HIFF Showcase Series's programmatic intention is to celebrate the broad spectrum of HIFF programming, presented on the Festival’s streaming platform, with most films available nationwide.

INDIGENOUS LENS (April 15-25) - Happening Now

J-FEST (May 13-23)

EAT.DRINK.FILM. (June 10-20)

VIVE LE CINÉMA! (July 8-18)

For more info, head over to the HIFF Showcase Series website. 

Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking is now accepting applications for the 1st annual Wāhine in Film Lab (June to November, 2021) - an incubator for the development of 10 short film ideas into viable projects by the end of their time at the Lab. The Lab offers: Workshops providing valuable and practical information, Mentorship as one-to-one check in time with an assigned mentor, and Support services instrumental in making films. All activities are offered online, and a stipend of $1,000 is offered upon completion of the Wāhine in Film Lab. Apply now!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeffrey A. Bell , President / Kristen O. Chan, Vice President / Isoo (Dick) Oshima / Christina Hom / 

Jason Cutinella / Mark S. Davis / Ricardo (Ric) Galindez / Jake Houseman / Bryan Luke / Wayne Miyao / Brian Uy / Indru Watumull /