The 44th running of the Hawaii International Film Festival presented by Halekulani will open with “Tinā,” an uplifting drama film that marks the feature directorial debut of Miki Magasiva, and close with Sori Fumihiko’s “Hakkenden: Fiction and Reality.”
In between, the festival will pack in 92 features and 114 short films, major awards for guests including Jimmy O Yang, Hong Kong’s Sandra Ng and documentary filmmaking star Stanley Nelson.
“This year, we have the largest selection of Hawai`i films in competition in the festival’s history, are presenting multiple films that explore Indigenous perspectives, narrative sovereignty, and the nurturing of cultural identity, and additionally, we are launching a new spotlight showcasing the best in television,” said Beckie Stochetti, HIFF executive director.
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Other award ceremonies are based around comedienne, actor and producer Sandra Ng, who will be honored with the HIFF Spotlight On Hong Kong Filmmaker in Profile Award; Temuera Morrison, recipient of the HIFF Leanne K Ferrer Pasifika Trailblazer Award; and Stanley Nelson. He is “the foremost chronicler of the African American experience working in nonfiction film today,” according to the festival and receives its HIFF Halekulani Vision in Film Award.