The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a film festival held in the United States state of Hawaii. It was started in 1981 by Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, who served as its director to 1996, followed by Chuck Boller, Esq. from the late 90s through 2013. It is held annually in the fall for two weeks and also features two smaller festivals, a one-week festival in the Spring known as the "Spring Showcase" or the "Spring Fling" and a three-day Korean Film Festival in August called "K-Fest." HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders throughout the world. For the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific features, documentaries and short films in the nation, it is a primary source. The festival has premiered such movies as A Leading Man, Once Were Warriors, The Piano, Shine, Shall We Dance?, Y Tu Mama Tambien and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The Hawaii International Film Festival is the only film festival that screens films across an entire state, with screenings on the island of Oahu in downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, and, sometimes, Kaneohe, followed by "encore screenings" on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
The HIFF states that it "is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film." It is the largest such "East meets West" film festival in the United States.
The festival receives sponsorship from numerous corporations every year, with the largest contributor being Louis Vuitton. The festival is also known as the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.
Renowned film critic Roger Ebert picked one film to be shown at HIFF each year, and he sometimes traveled to Hawaii in order to introduce it to the audience. The Festival gives out several awards: the top prize is named the Golden Maile and is also known as the First Hawaiian Bank Golden Maile Award. In 2004, an award for achievement in acting was given to Maggie Cheung, a second was awarded to Samuel L. Jackson in 2005. Sonny Chiba received the Maverick Award in 2005. Ken Watanabe received honors in 2006.
Video Hawaii International Film Festival
Awards
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary
NETPAC Award
Cinematography
Vision in Film
Hawai'i Filmmaker
Maps Hawaii International Film Festival
New American Filmmakers (NAF)
Since 2007 and until 2015, the Hawaii International Film Festival has partnered with the Vilcek Foundation to curate the New American Filmmakers program. Presented at the festival each year, New American Filmmakers seeks out the most talented foreign-born filmmakers currently contributing to American cinema. The result is a diverse program that draws upon cinematic genres and traditions from around the world.
2015 NAF Featured Films
2014 NAF Featured Films
2013 NAF Featured Films
2012 NAF Featured Films
2011 NAF Featured Films
2010 NAF Featured Films
2009 NAF Featured Films
2008 NAF Featured Films
2007 NAF Featured Films
See also
- East-West Center
- Palace Theater
- List of film festivals
- Film festivals in North and Central America
References
External links
- Hawaii International Film Festival website
Source of article : Wikipedia