By Brooke Beltran | Staff Writer

Are you interested in getting into the filmmaking industry but don’t know where to start? If you live in the Asia-Pacific Region, the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival is for you. Established in 1981, HIFF has been a safe space to showcase your talent through the big screen, making HIFF the only local place for an awards ceremony for filmmakers in Hawai‘i.

Even if you aren’t a filmmaker, Hawai’i International Film Festival offers an incredible experience for anyone who loves cinema. HIFF welcomes all who love not only creating and showcasing their passion but also ones who enjoy other people’s hard work and dedication towards their craft. 

The HIFF45 Opening Reception at Capitol Modern (Photo by Brooke Beltran)

Here are the five reasons you should go to HIFF, which holds its main annual festival’s opening ceremony on Oct. 15 and will showcase films at Kāhala theaters till Oct. 26. They will also hold showcases at the Olino (West Oʻahu) Theater from Oct. 28-30. You can experience the hard work that these young, aspiring filmmakers have to offer.

Showcase your work
Each year, HIFF provides an opportunity for local and international filmmakers to submit their work to be featured in the festival. While submissions for this year’s annual showcase have closed, filmmakers typically have until mid-summer to submit for the next season. Festivals such as the main annual festival happening now, the Spring Showcase, and the ʻŌpio Fest allow aspiring local and international filmmakers to gain recognition and share their work with a larger audience, including friends, family, and industry professionals.

Network opportunities
HIFF offers Q&A panels for aspiring artists to attend. Cast and crew members from films being showcased could possibly be attending their own screening for the night. Some panels that are open for Q&A sessions at this year’s annual festival are the New American Perspectives Panel and a conversation with the author Jeff Chang, who wrote the book “Water Mirror Echo.” These panels are the perfect opportunities to meet screenwriters, producers, directors and more.

Watch movie premieres before they go global
Go see creative films, regional premieres, and potential award winning contenders before they hit mainstream theaters or streaming platforms. Some films that’s premiering at HIFF are “Christy,” directed by David Michôd, and “No Other Choice,” directed by Park Chan-wook, who is widely touted as one of the best filmmakers in South Korea and is best known for “Old Boy.”

Educate yourself at HIFF
Film screenings at HIFF offer the opportunities to learn more about others backgrounds and upbringings. A popular program for schools around the islands of Hawai’i named Youth Education Screenings (YES Program) showcases a select screening of a film along with a Q&A session with the film’s director/cast/crew. This program provides free screenings for grades K-12. Many young aspiring artists appreciate the art of these filmmakers that come and share their process of working their way up.

Volunteer with HIFF
Volunteers are always a must have in festivals like HIFF. With thousands of tickets being sold each year, it takes a lot of hands to put it all together to ensure everything runs smoothly. By volunteering, you can gain valuable experience within the industry, network with filmmakers, industry professionals, and fellow volunteers. You will also receive festival tickets, merchandise and access to other screenings and events. Whether you are a long time volunteer or joining HIFF for the first time, HIFF is always welcoming new people to the ‘ohana.

Don’t worry if you missed this year, there will always be more opportunities for the other festivals to come.