Film festival shoots for the stars

For 35 years the Hawaii International Film Festival has been one of the nation’s primary sources in discovering features, documentaries and shorts from Asia made by Asians, films about the Pacific made by Pacific Islanders, and films made by Hawaii filmmakers that present Hawaii in a culturally accurate way. 

Each year in preparation for the event, HIFF programmers view some 1,300 films and choose an average of 150 features, documentaries and film shorts from more than 40 countries. Among them are world premieres, North American premieres, U.S. premieres, experimental films, animation and digital works representing social and ethnic issues, and first features by new directors. HIFF annually offers unique volunteer opportunities to over 400 volunteers state wide and employs 25-30 interns and seasonal staff.

Annually, HIFF hosts over 300 filmmakers from around the globe. During the festival, 

local and visiting filmmakers share their experiences with more than 10,000 students state-wide and over 55,000 festival attendees enjoy the unique diversity of film programming that strongly supports and celebrates Hawaii’s own proud cultural diversity. 

HIFF is known internationally as the festival for filmmakers, where the aloha spirit and the intimate setting allows filmmakers to collaborate whilst being inspired around Hawaii’s highly creative environment.

For over three decades, HIFF has been a leading economic force for Hawaii’s creative industries.   Creative Lab at HIFF programs such as the Writer’s Lab intensive for screenwriters recently celebrated a true script to screen success when one of the program’s first students premiered his first film, which he wrote and directed, at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival. 

As we look forward, HIFF is focused on maintaining its world-renowned film programming whilst also expanding its support of local filmmakers, particular on the importance of being entrepreneurs, through such programs as the new Asia Pacific Entertainment Finance Forum, which will gather together leading film industry professionals from Asia, the Pacific, and Hollywood.

HIFF proudly continues a great legacy of support for our community, even though the cost of doing so rises each year. Since 2010, HIFF has experienced a 57 percent increase in theater rental costs and a 49 percent increase in film screening expenses. With rising costs in mind, HIFF, along with the new HIFF Foundation, passionately continue their dedication to bringing the best in art, culture, entertainment, and education to Hawaii.    

The ability for HIFF, and many other local nonprofit organizations, to survive and thrive depends entirely upon the continued and vital support from our sponsors, our loyal film enthusiasts, and our advocates from around the world. All of whom we are indebted to and appreciate.