The Hawaiʻi International Film Festival announced the winners of its Made in Hawaiʻi awards, as well as other honors, this week. Each of the award-winning films will have encore screenings.
The film festival runs through Nov. 16 and features more than 200 films, including a number of premieres in Hawaiʻi, the U.S. and the world. This year, the festival includes film screenings on six islands: Oʻahu, Maui, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island and Molokaʻi. HIFF is the only film festival in the state where films that win the best short film and best Made in Hawaiʻi short film awards are eligible for the animated and live action short film category of the Academy Awards, explained Beckie Stocchetti, the festival’s executive director, earlier this year.
Made in Hawaiʻi award for best feature film
This year, two films were selected to receive the Made in Hawaiʻi award for best feature film: “Lahaina Rising” by Director Matty Schweitzer and “Before the Moon Falls” by Director Kimberlee Bassford.
“Lahaina Rising” had its world premiere at the festival and explores the devasting wildfire that destroyed much of Lahaina and killed more than 100 people on Aug. 8, 2023. Watch an encore screening of the film at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, at Consolidated Theatres in Kāhala. There will also be showings of the film on Neighbor Islands in November. Get tickets.
“Before the Moon Falls” had its U.S. premiere at HIFF and tells the story of the Samona writer Sia Figiel, a poet and novelist who opens up about her mental health journey in the film. Earlier this month, Bassford spoke with Aloha State Daily about her film. Watch an encore screening of the film at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, at Consolidated Theatres in Kāhala. There will also be showings at Consolidated Theatres in Kapolei and the Palace Theater in Hilo. Get tickets.
Made in Hawaiʻi award for best short film
The winner of this category was “Dasher,” by Director Alexander Bocchieri, who spoke with ASD earlier this month. Bryson Chun, who wrote “Moana 2” and “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.” among other things, was the film’s screenwriter. “The Arrangements” by Director Sonny Ganaden received an honorable mention in the category. This weekend, several shorts will be featured in a special program. Catch “Dasher,” “Fishbowl Girl,” “Correct Me if I’m Wrong” and “The Arrangements” at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, at Consolidated Theatres in Kāhala. Get tickets.
Other award-winning films ...
Kau Ka Hōkū Award: “Ky Nam Inn” by Director Leon Le
Pasifika Award: “Remathau: People of the Ocean” by Director Daniel H Lin
Netpac Award: “Kōkā” by Director Kath Akuhata-Brown
Best Short Film: “Correct Me if I’m Wrong” by Director Hao Zhou
BMW Hawaiʻi Driven Student Filmmaker Award & Scholarship: Director Tiffany Liu
See the schedule for the encore screenings of these films. To learn more about the featured films, check out the festival guide.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
