HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Future Filmmakers Award Winners The inaugural HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) is an exciting three-day event for all ages that celebrates student films and spotlights the diverse voices of emerging young filmmakers across Hawai’i. ‘Ōpio Fest concluded on Sunday, April 7th, with its closing night events: a screening of the closing night film ROBOT DREAMS, a screening of ALL ..read more

Meet HIFF’s ‘Ōpio Fest Committee Members The inaugural HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) is an exciting three-day event for all ages that celebrates student films and spotlights the diverse voices of emerging young filmmakers across Hawai’i. The Hawai’i International Film Festival ‘Ōpio Fest is an upcoming three-day family event dedicated to showcasing and celebrating short films produced by Hawai’i’s young filmmakers ..read more

HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Student Showcase Honorees & Jury Award Winners       The inaugural HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) is an exciting three-day event for all ages that celebrates student films and spotlights the diverse voices of emerging young filmmakers across Hawai’i. ‘Ōpio Fest, HIFF’s inaugural youth film festival, kicked off on Friday, April 5th, 2024 with an opening night party at a private ..read more

HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest Submission Deadline A Film Festival Celebrating Student Filmmakers in Hawai’i. The Hawai’i International Film Festival ‘Ōpio Fest is an inaugural youth film festival, which will take place in Honolulu from April 5-7, 2024. The three-day family event is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating short films made by Hawai’i’s young filmmakers. With the guidance of the HIFF team ..read more

HIFF launches two festivals this spring-HIFF Spring Showcase (March 21-28) & HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (HIFF) PRESENTED BY HALEKULANI LAUNCHES TWO FESTIVALS THIS SPRING – 27th annual HIFF Spring Showcase (March 21-28) & INAUGURAL HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest (April 5-7) HIFF Spring Showcase opens with New Zealand historical epic THE CONVERT directed by Lee Tamahori (ONCE WERE WARRIORS) & starring Guy Pearce;  Closes with ..read more

Sundance premieres at 2024 HIFF Spring Showcase The 2024 HIFF Spring Showcase is here with the Hawai‘i premiere of Lee Tamahori’s Aotearoa-set historical epic THE CONVERT, which is also screening again this weekend. The Guy Pearce-led action epic had its world premiere at Toronto last fall and will be commercially released in New Zealand this month. Meanwhile, the Spring Showcase is always ..read more

Encore screening of 26.2 TO LIFE added – 3/27, 5:30pm By popular demand, we have added a second screening of 26.2 TO LIFE after the first screening quickly sold out. Directed by Christine Yoo, she and special guests from the film will also be in attendance for an after-film Q&A. 26.2 TO LIFE (Encore screening) Wednesday, March 27th, 5:30pm – Consolidated Kahala (Buy Tickets) Below ..read more

UNCLE BULLY’S SURF SKOOL represents Maui’s resilience Community leaders are unsung heroes. Oftentimes, they are unfortunately left unrecognized by those outside of their sphere of influence, no matter how much good they contribute. Bull Kotter, lovingly known as Uncle Bully, is one of Maui’s heroes, and the documentary UNCLE BULLY’S SURF SKOOL tells his story so that his goodwill may never be ..read more

Preserving ʻIke Kūpuna in HOMETOWN LEGENDS & ISLAND COWGIRLS HOMETOWN LEGENDS and ISLAND COWGIRLS are two films that are preserving ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Knowledge) from nā kupuna (elders) themselves. It is tradition for nā kupuna to pass down knowledge to the younger generations by ma ka hana ka ʻike, learning by doing. In these films, the audience watches as nā kupuna reminisce on their ..read more

Reflecting upon freedom of the press in BAD PRESS [Op-Ed] The fragility of freedom of the press is at the forefront in the documentary feature BAD PRESS, which screened at this year’s Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF43). The unique precarity surrounding the issue is detailed onscreen as viewers follow Angel Ellis, a reporter for Mvskoke Media and part of the Muscogee Creek Nation, which is ..read more