Love that HIFF provides a platform for local and international filmmakers to showcase their talents and stories! 2020 has been a rough year but HIFF's efforts to showcase films through drive-ins and online streaming has been a nice and comfortable escape from our everyday struggles.
HIFF is a is one of the best events in Hawaii for movie lovers. Every year, they bring top of the line movies from the film festival circuit and tons of the best local films from Hawaii and the Pacific. It is a great and underrated festival. This year they had a bunch of drive-ins and tons of online films in response to the pandemic. Great alternative to the beach and Netflix!
Every year i've attended HIFF, the festival has never failed to surprise and delight with international films and filmmakers I would have not discovered otherwise. In addition the panels, talks and special free events make it worth hanging out a bit later. Love that they offered online and Drive-in Screenings this pandemic year to keep everyone safe. It was a fun throwback vibe at Ala Moana Shopping Center under the Hawaiian stars to see the newest Asia-Pacific films!
Amazing dedicated team that works hard year round to bring Hawaii the best in independent filmmaking, as well as honoring and uplifting local talent.
The HIFF staff killed it! Through all the challenges of 2020, they made an incredible event happen. To be able to screen films theatres, drive-ins, and online is not an easy task, but they did it effortlessly. I was very lucky to be able to attend part of the festival for my film screenings, and every member was so warm and welcoming. The Drive-In experience was DOPE. 10/10 would recommend. I wish I had more time to see all the films!
Shout out to Anderson Le, Jen May, and Aaron Hansen! Thank you!
What HIFF has done to accommodate moviegoers during this difficult time has been amazing! The online system is solid and the in-theater screenings have been safe and comfortable. And the drive-in experience looked incredible. Mahalo, HIFF!
It s not over yet, but I have to say I have been so impressed with HIFF40 this year! Not only did they pivot seamlessly to online with COVID, but they also offered an incredible variety of other opportunities for film-philes, including drive-in movies, in person screenings, and lots of really valuable industry talks. I ve been consistently impressed with the caliber of films HIFF manages to bring to our shores, and this year was no different. Major props to their team for delivering another incredible festival, despite the challenges! It s all the more meaningful this year!
Major props to the HIFF drive-in movie night!! Love the creativity of HIFF and all they do
We had such a great time watching Aloha Surf Hotel! The movie was so hilarious haha. With the whole Covid situation we decided to watch the movie online. It was nice to see it from the comfort of our own! The instructions were easy to follow and we had the movie up in no time. We also tuned into a couple of the online panels with the filmmakers and those were very interesting as well. We definitely want to participate next year! Hopefully Covid is done and we can go back to the theatre too!
Awesome events. Lots of virtual experiences and opportunities to engage in entertainment remotely. Looking forward to supporting for years to come.
I am so glad that HIFF is being responsible this year and still providing new, quality films from around the world while practicing proper safety procedures. I have been watching online, but also did one of the drive-in experiences at Ala Moana. It felt really awesome to be able to watch films on the big screen again. Thank you HIFF!
Just love this festival!! So many great films in one place!
I m enjoying HIFF40. In this crazy year, HIFF has added drive-in and virtual screenings to its in-theater format, allowing more people locally as well as the rest of the world to access the best Asian and Pacific films in a variety of genres, from Ann Hui s classic movies to Asian blockbusters, to Hawaiian and South Pacific dramas and documentaries. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom and Ainu Mosir were cultural gems, while Story Game and Charity gave a nod to our local supernatural element. I still have lots more to see before the end of the festival.
This group will treat small filmmakers and audiences very poorly to make money. Their mission statement does not reflect treatment of customers - artists or aficionados. Do not expect well-organized events, effective coordination with venues, or for any concerns to receive a reply with common decency. Awful experiences last few years. Not supporting again. They should learn from San Francisco.
Went to their drive inn movie event - so cool! 10/10 experience!
Been attending since I was young and HIFF never ceases to amaze with the selection of incredible films from around the world -- something for everyone, really -- fun events, talk stories, and a real sense of community. During COVID they were able to bring all of this to the world at large. Lucky me: I got to attend even when away from home. I especially like how they support the community through their education initiatives and community-minded programming. Seriously one of the best film festivals out there.
Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the cinema arts and recognize new and emerging talent. The festival was founded in 1981, making it one of the oldest film festivals in the United States. HIFF has since grown into a world-renowned event that attracts filmmakers, industry professionals, and movie enthusiasts from around the globe.
The festival takes place annually in Honolulu, Hawaii, and showcases films from Asia, the Pacific Islands, North America, and Europe. HIFF's mission is to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work while promoting cultural exchange through cinema arts.
One of HIFF's main goals is to recognize new talent by showcasing films from up-and-coming directors. The festival also provides opportunities for career development through innovative education programs such as filmmaker workshops and masterclasses. These programs are designed to help aspiring filmmakers hone their skills and gain valuable experience in the industry.
In addition to promoting career development, HIFF also facilitates dynamic cultural exchange through its diverse selection of films. The festival showcases movies that explore different cultures and perspectives from around the world. This helps promote understanding between different communities while celebrating diversity.
HIFF has received numerous accolades over the years for its contributions to the film industry. In 2019 alone, HIFF screened over 200 films from more than 30 countries during its ten-day run. The festival also hosted several special events including Q&A sessions with filmmakers and panel discussions on various topics related to cinema arts.
Overall, Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) plays an important role in promoting cultural exchange through cinema arts while recognizing new talent in filmmaking. Its commitment to providing innovative education programs makes it an essential resource for aspiring filmmakers looking to break into the industry."
hiff.org
