Hawaii International Film Festival

Spring Festival is coming to
Consolidated Kahala Theater Next
Thursday March 21 - 28 2024
I've already got my tickets to quite a few shows
Mostly Hawaii Primer showing from Asia Pacific and round the world
One of my recommendations to see is
Korean Horror Triller called "Sleep"
I can just see a Nightmare in making
Another one also a Korean Film called
" Roundup Punishment " an undercover agent who is trying to break up drug dealers trafficking gangs and how this Tough Cop goes about breaking up the gangs intriguing another interesting film is called" MRS " which is a Indie film that ℹ usually don't see but this storyline has me wondering curious I'll let you read about this film at hiff.org
See you at the Movies

Spent the past two weekends at Kahala Theater attending the Hawaii International Film Festival. I have not gone in years but was impressed with the line up of movies from Japan that were being shown this year. As soon as tickets were available, I went online a bought the ones I wanted.

The movie descriptions on the HIFF site were helpful and often had trailers I could watch that helped be choose the ones I wanted to see. Prices were very reasonable and so I bought tickets for friends too. I was excited to see Japanese movies I'd read about as well as discover others that looked interesting. I ended up going to 7 movies over 4 days.

The process of lining up and going into the theater was efficient. Volunteers were helpful. And so comfortable to be sitting in the new seats that recline a bit. Looking forward to the festival next year!

Movies are like magic...

We get to be in another time and place while sitting in a safe, dark, comfortable theater. We have an opportunity to see and hear someone's story, learn about other perspectives, and maybe feel some different emotions...

The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is all of the above and more! Because this festival is held in the 50th State, I feel that there is more cultural sensitivity. During one of the Question and Answer sessions, one of the producers mentioned the challenges of Hawaiian themed movies. Theaters are basically mainland-owned and maybe don't think that there is an audience for this genre. What do you think?

This 37th year of HIFF was extra special because of the new award categories which recognized films that were Made in Hawaii. I was able to view a short movie ("I Am Because You Are") and two Feature Films ("Kuleana" and "Proof of Loyalty: Kazuo Yamane and the Nisei Soldiers of Hawaii")! I feel that it's so important to encourage and support these local stories that need to be shared!

Of the more than 160 movies shown this year, I was able to see 8. Through these films, I was able to "travel" to Korea, Japan, Tibet, northern India, Kahoolawe, China, Maui, and the olden days of Oahu. The scenery ("Becoming Who I Was"), family dynamics ("Mrs. Fang"), and political issues ("I Can Speak") all hit upon inspirational themes such as patriotism, friendship, justice, and dying with dignity. Let's not forget those comedies ("What A Wonderful Family! 2") and foodie films such as "Notebook From My Mother"!

Being a HIFF member gave me front of the line access, so I highly recommend joining and getting a better seat for the subtitles.

Mahalo to the staff and management of Regal Dole Cannery Cinemas for being a major part of HIFF! Thanks also to all of the sponsors, especially Halekulani, for making this valuable event possible!

#19 of 2017

Starting out as project at UH Manoa as part of the East-West Cultural Exchange, HIFF had grown in it's 37years attracting more than 70,000 movie fans from our state, country and internationally. It is so wonderful to see HIFF continually growing every year. We are fortunate to have a Spring and a Fall showcase.

The films are shorts, documentaries and entertaining about people in the Pacific region made by same people. They introduce us to events, concerns, their values, governments, environmental impacts enlightening to whats going on around us. It is a great time to bring family out to enjoy these films then talk about them after.

Some of the films I've enjoyed in recent years, to name a few...

The God of Ramen
Harlock, Space Pirate
Appleseed Ex Machina
Midnight Diner
Her Love Boils Bath Water

Pass premieres have included....

A Leading Man
Once Were Warriors
The Piano
Shine
Shall We Dance
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon


Tip #1 Be a volunteer. Minimum requirement is to work 2 5hour shifts. As a volunteer you will have a chance to view movies that are released and some not released.

Tip #2 Some of these screenings are very popular with lines going out the door. Save yourself the time and hassle acquire your tickets as soon as you can. They tell everyone to get there 30 minutes before show time. I say get there 45minutes before show time. Beat the crowd and get better seats.

Tip #3 If you are a fan of the HIFF films, may I suggest a couple of my own. NOTE: The descriptions are excerpts from www.imdb.com

Trash (2014)
"When two trash-picking boys from Rio's slums find a wallet in amongst the daily detritus of their local dump, little do they imagine that their lives are about to change forever. But when the local police show up, offering a handsome reward for the wallet's return, the boys, Rafael and Gardo, realize that what they've found must be important." Love how Trash unfolds into something very dangerous.

The Drop Box (2015)
"The Drop Box tells the story of South Korean pastor Lee Jong-rak and his heroic efforts to embrace and protect the most vulnerable members of society. It is an exploration of the physical, emotional and financial toll associated with providing refuge to orphans that would otherwise be abandoned on the streets. The movie is also a story of hope - a reminder that every human life is sacred and worthy of love. South Korea is not the only country grappling with the issue of orphan care. Around the world, there are more than 150 million orphans waiting for forever families to call their own." A true hero in my book.



And, I've always enjoyed saying.... Till next time, I'll see you at the movies.

HIFF you have entertained me for years. You have made me laugh. You have been the reason for some extreme tears. You have created conversations for days. And you have raised my social awareness in so many ways. And for these things I say thank you!

The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) has been entertaining us for over 35 years and has become the sophisticated, well run festival, through many growing pains, as we know it today.

This season so far, I have been privileged to see two featured films: "Cook Up a Storm" and "Gook". And of all movies in the last year...these two have been the most entertaining (Cook) and the most impactful (Gook). I would HIGHLY recommend both. You can catch both "Cook Up a Storm" and "Gook" again on Saturday, April 8th. Looking forward to catching a few more films before the season runs out.

This season HIFF calls home @ Dole Cannery, Regal Theatres. This makes parking easy as the building has lots of parking. And it makes parking free with validation. Be sure to get your ticket validated..!

Tickets to the HIFF can be bought right at Dole Regal where you can also puck up a listing of screenings...or online @ HIFF.org. I would recommend buying them online as it is easy and fast. There is a slight processing fee yet well worth the convenience.

In fact, better yet, become a member to HIFF, support the arts while getting discounted tickets to the screenings AND processing fees waived!

"I like dreamin' cause dreamin' can make you mine.
I like dreamin', closing my eyes and feeling fine.
When the lights go down, I'm holding you so tight.
Got you in my arms and it's paradise 'til the morning
Light."
- Kenny Nolan, I Like Dreamin'

We enjoy going to movies...all sorts of genres and from different origins. Movies are like dreams where we get transported to different locations or scenarios (real or fantasy) as the story lines allow us into different realities.

This film festival has come a long way since its humble beginnings, 36 years ago, as a project of the East-West Center located on the University of Hawai'i. Back then, there were only 7 films from 6 countries and only a smattering of people showed up. However, over the years, this festival has grown to be the premiere cinematic event in the Pacific. It attracts film enthusiasts from this state, around the nation and internationally.

HIFF features films and documentaries made in Asia by Asians, films made in the Pacific that are made by Pacific Islanders and films about Hawai'i that are made by Hawai'i filmmakers presenting our islands with cultural accuracy. On O'ahu, there are 6 film venues at which one can enjoy the various films (Regal Theaters at Dole Cannery or Kapolei, Doris Duke Theater at Academy of Arts, HPU at Aloha Tower Marketplce, IBM Building at Ward Village Courtyard and the Art Auditorium at UH Mānoa). HIFF also shows on the Big Island and Kaua'i during the following week.

Thanks to Yelp Hawai'i, we've renewed our interest, attendance and membership to the Hawai'i International Film Festival. We signed up to become members for this Fall Season (good for a year) and have already picked our movies since last Thursday's Yelp Event that opened with a private showing of Tsukiji Wonderland.

We will dream, travel to other countries and learn more about other cultures from these movies. This film festival brings to our multi-cultural viewers a variety of subject matters that show the diversity in our World.

Cute office, friendly staff, and so efficient. The HIFF is back! I took a program guide book that lists all of the films, dates, location and marked which films I was interested in before stopping by to get my tickets. I was able to find 2 films that interest me which happen to be on the same day. Looking forward to it, and so grateful for the HIFF.

This particular office is located in the Dole Cannery Shops on the first floor near the elevators. Parking available in the near-by parking structure, sorry I don't know if they validate for parking because I didn't need one. I went to the Dole Coffee Shop located right around the corner and got a 2 hour validation with purchase.

The Hawaii International Film Festival is always something to look forward to year after year. Besides providing the public with films produced all over the world, they do offer many educational opportunities for students.

I'm on their email list so they email me every year when HIFF rolls around. The two main education opportunities that stick out to me is their guest film maker appearances and their Cultural and Visual Literacy program. For their guest film maker program, you can arrange for them to come and visit your students in your school. It's a good chance for students to learn more about the film industry and ask questions.

This year and for several years, we've participated in the Cultua and Visual Literacy program. In this program students are invited to watch a free HIFF film. Teachers get a choice of three films.

On this years list was Bethany Hamilton, Moananuiakea, and Inventing Tomorrow. I run an after school media club so I thought this would be a great opportunity for the kids to see a HIFF film. I took them to the Bethany Hamilton film. Many of them didn't know who she was so I had to give them a little summary of what happened to her.

They all loved the movie. It was great because at the end the director, editors, and producers came out to answer questions and talk to the kids about the film.

This was my second year attending a couple of movies that were being shown at the film festival and I enjoyed all of the films that I saw.
I enjoyed them so much that I'm planning on volunteering next year.
The films have more emotion than typical Hollywood movies and they are extremely thought provoking.
I highly recommend seeing a film or two or three the next time the film festival is here!

The Hawaii International Film festival is in its 37th year here! With all the great films it brings, I was so glad to be apart of this year's festivities. I was able to kick off this year with the viewing of Notebook from My Mother. Then ending the festival with Lu Over the Wall. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend any other screening due to being off island.

It's always a great feeling when attending HIFF. There's so much heart put into these events that make it a truly memorable event. Year after year HIFF brings us dramas, documentaries, and stories that either tell a story or bring perspective into the world. If you've been to a screening you know what I mean. It's great seeing the crowds of people who attend the event. It shows that the film industry is still thriving and the arts is still relevant in a world of diversity.

Notebook from my Mother, a Korean based film was a bit of a foodie film, but the story behind it was a touching and heart warming tale.

Lu Over the Wall was a Japanese film surrounding mermaids or Merfolk. Also a tale that brings a teary eye.

There's so much to learn from this event. It's a great outlet for filmmakers and place for spectators to enjoy!

Thank you Rae and Josh for the awesome hospitality at both screening events! Thank you Yelp Hawaii for making events possible! Definitely gonna look forward to the spring showcase and next year's annual event!