B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii Model: Tara Lynn
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
BA SSC ULT U RE I S L A N DS
EDITOR’S NOTE In 2015 we have released 5 beautifully looking issues. We focused on 4 different tropical islands and released special edition issue ‘Summer in my soul’ - have you seen it yet? It’s been a truly fun journey through island lifestyle and creativity. Thanks to all the artists who became part of this magazine! Stepping into the new year, we dedicate this issue to another island - Hawaii, USA. But we also wanted to stay true to our Caribbean focus and couldn’t help but bring some Trini talents. This one is all about the beauty of the islands from hummingbirds to mermaids from sunsets to amazing art of shoe designs and paintings. Hawaii is proudly represented by featured photographer Mason Rose, underwater model Claudia Cox and artist Stephanie Boinay. Besides this great line-up we collaborated with Trini graphic designer Nicholas Huggins and his typography work which is spread throughout the magazine. Last but not least, we introduce our top creative European event for 2015 - Tattoo Convention in Barcelona, Spain. Have fun with this great mix and… Aloha
Ania Orlowska Editor in Chief Ania Orlowska Creative Direction/ Graphic Design Kerron Riley Film Editor Emiel Martens Managing Editor Lina Komin
#8
Advertising & Creative Contribution Marko Depender Project Execution TheOrlowska Creative Talent Agency www.theorlowska.com Special Thanks Caribbean Creativity Caribbean Film Academy Bassculture Foundation
Cover Photography: Nadia Huggins Model: Fariel Ali-Khan Cover Logo Design: Nicholas Huggins
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Nicholas
Huggins
Theodore
Ferguson
Christopher
Donovan
34
72 14 Fashion
Claudia
By Soka
Cox
24
38
Kamar
Stephanne
Thomas
56 Featured Photographer: MASON ROSE Location: HAWAII This issue’s featured photographer is Mason Rose , based in Hawaii. Find his photos spread across this issue… masonrosephoto
Boinay
08
Barcelona
Tattoo
Convention
64
Hawaii
Film
80
Kristen
Brown
46
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii Model: Malia Murphey
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: HAWAII
Aloha State Of Mind
Stephanie Boinay stephanieboinayart
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Would you say that the collections of your art could be the illustration of your life? And your personality? Absolutely! My work always reflects what I am experiencing in my life at that moment. I love to spend time hiking the stunning mountains, wander through lush tropical gardens, or gazing at the sheer power and beauty of the ocean and you will see this throughout my paintings. I do however have a rule that I work by, and that is to always strive to create pieces that bring JOY to others, not sadness. The spirit of Aloha is alive and thriving here in Hawaii, and my goal is to always capture that feeling in each painting I create. I am so blessed, grateful, inspired and happy to be able to live in such a wonderful place and to share that with others through my work. The art pieces are very colourful and pleasant, I’m wondering if you create these pieces while watching a particular scene by the beach?
Because I work with acrylic paints that dry much faster than oils, I don’t often spend much time “plain air” painting. My creative process involves happening on inspiration (usually from nature, flowers, my surroundings, small things or moments that people don’t always notice, etc), logging that exact moment in my memory for later, or by taking a photo for a basic reference. I then get to work in my studio, freehand sketching a pencil outline of the design I wish to paint. Then comes the best part...painting! I’d tell you more but I can’t give out my technique secrets.... haha. And how does a regular day in your life on the island look like? Well, mornings are quiet and lovely, and I usually enjoy making a fresh fruit smoothie to start my workday. Sometimes when particular fruits are in season, I head to our yard to pick apple-bananas (local to Hawaii), papaya, mangoes, avocados and lilikoi
to snack on later in the day. My dog gets his morning walk and breakfast, and then its back to the home studio to get to work. On average, I work every day, from morning till evening. Its exhausting at times, (any artist or small business owner will tell you the same!) but SO very rewarding and I LOVE my job! And, of course, I love to spend time outdoors exploring this beautiful island! What’s your relationship with Hawaii? Hawaii and I have had a thing for quite some time now, haha. There is just something about this place. Call it romantic, majestic, magical, incredible---doesn’t matter. The power and energy of Aloha bring me so much peace, happiness and content and I am so excited to spend 2016 working to bring all of that to anyone who enjoys my work. Hawaii definitely has my heart!
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
the
Hummingbird
Feeder
Theodore Ferguson www.yerettett.com
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Theo & Gloria Ferguson live in Trinidad in their home called Yerette – Home of the Hummingbird – a home that they share with thousands of hummingbirds. It is a kind of magical and enchanted fairy-tale place that takes you on a spiritual journey as you are enraptured in a state of sustained awe of nature close-up. Yerette is regularly referred to as a spiritual place, heaven, a church, an ashram, a temple, a magical place, an enchanted place.
I do not play golf and I do not drink rum. I take pictures, particularly hummingbird pictures - Theo.
‘To me, photos must capture the spirit of life and speak loudly to the viewer. A great photo should elicit a sense of awe as it envelops the viewer with a sense of connectivity to nature, and in the context of Yerette, to hummingbirds, one of nature’s most mysterious creatures. In taking a great photo, I experience a sense of Chi (energy), the energy that a great photo should transmit to viewers when it is on display.
Perhaps, I am just an Artist, combining photography with contemporary art. I see Yerette as a living artistic expression that brings together nature, photography talk (performance) and food to produce the spiritually moving outcome that we call, the “Yerette Experience”. I am also hummingbird caretaker. My wife and I view the thousands of hummingbirds at our home as nature’s blessing on us and we strongly be-
lieve that we have a spiritual responsibility to take care of them. We do so willingly and joyfully. It is definitely not a job, for it is never work. Yerette is a fun activity that energises our lives to see and share the beauty and abundance of nature with others. It provides us with a great reason to be alive!
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Hummingbirds & Spiritual Connectivity As humans we now live in a rapidly urbanizing and increasingly distractive world. It is a world in which we are becoming less sensitive to the environment around us as we progressively isolate ourselves in our air-conditioned homes, offices, shopping malls and automobiles. We are constantly under the bombardment of the sounds and demands of our smart phones, tablets, computers, radios and televisions. We have effectively locked out the sights and
sounds of the natural world. Today, we can live our whole lives cocooned in an artificial bubble and oblivious to the natural world that envelops us. The more we become disconnected from the natural world of which we are an integral part, the more we become disoriented and confused about the meaning of our own lives. The more we are connected with nature the more we are likely to reflect positively on
ourselves and the more likely we are to have perspective on the state of our lives and the potential that lies therein. When we are disconnected from the environment we miss the opportunity to be spiritually energized. Hummingbirds awaken us to our spiritual connectivity. They help to keep us spiritually centered. Yerette provides an opportunity for us to “bathe� in the spiritual warmth of the hummingbird.
Unbelievable! Incredible! Magic in the Air! Hummingbirds, the world’s second largest family of birds, are among the planet’s most mysterious and intriguing creatures. They are truly extraordinary, being the world’s smallest birds, the most intensely iridescent, the birds with the fastest body metabolism and the most combative of all birds. They make magic in the air with wings that can beat in a figure of eight and at rates of up to 200 beats
per second. They are the world’s fastest flying birds in relation to body size and can fly in any direction – forwards, backwards, sideways, upside-down and vertical. They are the only birds that can hover for a sustained period of time on their own energy. Hummingbirds are magically unique and live at the biological extreme.
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
How hard is it to Photograph a Humming Bird? Hummingbirds are the fastest of all birds and the smallest of all birds. Hence they are the most difficult of birds to photograph. They are considered by many to be the most combative players on earth. In addition, their appearance varies dramatically in relation to light. Perhaps these are the reasons why I took on the challenge of photographing hummingbirds. The encounter has been most fulfilling. More than anything else, I believe that patience is the most
important factor in getting great photos of hummingbirds. You must have a sense of what you are looking for and the patience to handle failures as you keep on trying – sometimes it can take many months and sometimes even years to capture the photo that you may have been dreaming of for a long time. Patience comes easily if you love what you do. With love come passion and the energy to continuously strive for bettering your best.
Another important factor is to be in rhythm with these busy little creatures – each species behaves differently from the others. You must be able to anticipate their movements and behaviours so that you do not end up with too many empty or out of focus frames. I have had many incredible moments. One of the most memorable was capturing a pair of mating hummingbirds in the act – mating lasts for only 4 to 5 seconds.
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
NICHOLAS HUGGINS D E S I G N
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
SOKA
PHOTOGRAPHER: Nadia Huggings
(http://nadiahuggins.com)
FASHION STYLIST: Crystal Ivy London (http://www.ivystylechronicles.com)
STYLIST ASSISTANT: Rochelle R. MAKE UP ARTIST: Shevon Glasgow RINGS: Haute Savage and Studio Angelique MODEL: Fariel Ali-Khan
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
NICHOLAS HUGGINS D E S I G N
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: USA
HOW I QUIT MY
JOB TO DESIGN
SHOES CH R IS DON OV A N chrisdonovanfootwear
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Chris Donavan is not a very ordinary guy. 40 years ago he started to sketch shoe designs and he never
stopped. He took some big, brave steps in life towards his dream and his dream even took him to a popular
designer Tv show “Project Runway” . Read up and all you will find is inspiration!
sider doing design. Aki pulled you me aside and told me I was a natural talent and I should apstart being ply to a Masters program in Europe. I was not expecting p a s s i o n a t e this response at all. I would have to retire young from my about shoes? job and start a whole new caI went to a Catholic High reer path at 55. I called home School in the 70’s and the to my spouse and told him. girls had to wear really ugly Without a seconds hesitation uniforms. The only way they he said I had to do it and we’d could express themselves was find a way to send me. It was through their hair and shoes. terrifying. Do I give up secuThe bigger the hair and shoes rity to take this once in a life the better. I was fascinated time opportunity ? how someone could walk in A few years earlier when I such high platforms. The pos- was 50 I had been diagnosed sibilities were endless to what with prostate cancer. It was they could be and I started caught very early and I’ve sketching in the margins of been cancer free since but it all my notebooks and haven’t made me realize that life can stopped in 40 years. Becom- be short and that I only have ing a designer seemed to be an one lifetime to be who I wantimpossible job. I came from a ed to be. I knew if I didn’t take blue collar family, so I worked this chance I’d hate myself. I as a bartender and then a tele- took the leap and was acceptphone technician for 25 years. ed to one of the best fashion It was a secure job but certain- schools in the world, Polimoda in Florence Italy. Once I ly never made me happy. I saw a 2 day class given got there I realized I was the in NYC by a shoe designer oldest student there. Probably named Aki Choklat. I thought the oldest student they ever if I showed him my sketch- had. I definitely didn’t look es maybe he could give me like a fashion student. I looked some pointers and tell me if like a repairman. I was actually I had any talent to even con- mistaken for the janitor once. How
did
I was in a different country I didn’t speak the language and now going to a design school with no formal design background. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I wasn’t sure if I could do it. After the first few months, I was not getting the concepts they were trying to teach me. I was trying to be fashionable and do what I thought was expected of me until a teacher looked at my images I was creating for my collection book and told me they were awful. She said your trying to be like the other students and your not like the other students. She asked “What were you?” I said “a technician”. “So your crude” but not in a bad way. She said “Do crude” . That made me realize the reason they accepted me in the first place was my vision. I started doing what I did best. By the end of the program they liked my designs so much they ask me to open the final graduation show with my collection. A very big honor. This has not been an easy path or comfortable journey, but its the best thing I’ve ever done.
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii Model: Malia Murphey
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: HAWAII
M
er
Lif
e
m
Claudia Cox claucoxrfavela
ai
d
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
She was literally born on the beach, as her parents had a hotel/restaurant steps from the sea, which was also a home and her birth place. Love and fascination with the ocean came naturally, the beach was her playground, the ocean treasures - her toys and the sea creatures - her pets. ‘My firrst pet growing up was a baby penguin that we found on the beach and raised until he was old enough to join his friends. And since then I only lived by the sea, I first came to Hawaii to compete at the Women’s Bodyboard Contest at Pipeline, then after coming over for a couple winters I decided to call Hawaii home and moved from Brazil to Hawaii.’ You are a model but also a mermaid. ‘I have a different connection to water than what I have with people. It is as if I can merge my soul with water, and it is then I truly become one.’ Photography is another aspect of your creativity. You are an underwater photographer. ‘I also love to photograph fashion, swimwear and lifestyle, I am still figuring out how to consolidate my numerous artistic interests into one job title. I go from one thing to another. I just recently became certify as a MUA so I could be a one woman show on my photo shoots. I do the make up, hair, style and photograph it’. Walk us through your regular day on the island. ‘It all depends, if the waves are good I just go bodyboard somewhere on the north shore of Oahu, where I live, and if the waves are not good I usually go free diving with my friends on the west side of the island, we spend hours grabbing fishing lines from the reef, cleaning the beach, swimming with wild dolphins, turtles and any other sea creature we encounter. ‘
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
NICHOLAS HUGGINS D E S I G N
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii Model: Tara Lynn
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: COSTA RICA
Chasing
The Sunset Kristen Brown sambatothesea
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
i live in such a
beautiful place with breath-
taking sunsets and I feel so
fortunate to
be able to see
Mother Nature put on a show every night.
‘When I first moved to Costa Rica the first week downpour rained all week. About a week later, the sun finally popped out and the sunset was beautiful. I think at that moment I knew that sunsets in Tamarindo were something special and not to be missed. Whether it is my iPhone or my Nikon DSLR, I pretty much always have some type of camera on me, especially while watching sunset. I love photographing sunsets because every sunset is so different, whether it be the clouds in the sky during rainy season to the subjects that I include in the scene. I enjoy every sunset because I take it as a challenge every day to capture the beauty of Mother Nature. I had a friend ask me last week what I do with all my sunset photos. Some I use for my card designs (postcards, notecards, and mini cards), and others I sell as prints for those that want to bring some sunset magic into their home. For me, they are my memories. I love scrolling through my Instagram feed or looking at one of my postcard designs because it brings me back to that special moment.’
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Spreading the beauty of
Mother Nature one card at a time.
‘Sending an email or text message is fast and convenient, but there is little emotion attached. We receive countless electronic messages a day from so many different applications. iMessage, Whatsapp, Facebook Message, email, text message, Viber, Instagram Direct Message - I have used them all, sometimes all of these in the same day. That is why I think there is a snail mail movement going on. It takes effort to go to a store and purchase and actually hand write a card. Your personality is reflected - it is you.  When I receive a card or letter in the mail from someone I know someone took the time to purchase, write, and send that card. I love sending my postcards to family and friends and hearing how a 4x6 piece of paper brightens their day. To me that is what it is all about - spreading the beauty of Mother Nature one card at a time. ‘
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
POSTCARDS IN THIS ELECTRONIC WORLD
‘About six months into living in Costa Rica and after seeing one too many plain stock photo postcards I decided to take matters into my own hands. I already had a small portfolio of beautiful sunset photos, so I started designing and proofing postcards. What started with eight postcard designs now has evolved into over thirty designs, varying from sunsets, dogs, wildlife, to waves. Watching sunsets every day here in Costa Rica for sure started my postcard business!’
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: JAMAICA
BIG
and BOLD KAMAR THOMAS ohkamar
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
why so big?? The paintings are oil on canvas and range in size but are usually around five feet square. The reasons why are many: No 1. attention and instant impact. No 2. they are painted with many, many textures that draw attention to the fact that it is just paint when you get up close. No 3. when seen in person, it forces people to step back to take it all in, which allows them to think about what they are seeing and begin to ask questions about what is represented. I am trying to start a conversation about depicting yourself when you represent other people, ideas or groups. The idea came from my moving to the US and being forced to represent black men, black people, Jamaicans etc. I am always asking if there is a difference between how people show themselves and how they really are.
How?
They are always portraits of real people but with a twist. You might be interested in how I make some of them. I paint onto people’s faces with facepaint, make-up and recently, with nothing. Then I take a few hundred reference photos that I edit in Photoshop. I then choose around five references and make the painting from all five, then somewhere near the end, I abandon the photo entirely and just paint.
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: BARCELONA, SPAIN
TO P
CR E ATIVE
E VE N T
OF
2015
18th Barcelona Tattoo Expo
Review by Agnieszka Gang
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S LORENZO GONZALEZ & PABLO DANELUTTO Independent photographers based in Barcelona with a broad focus in portraits, glamour modeling, fashion and artistic nude photography. Their images are strong, sensual, mysterious and elegant.
In the frist weekend of October 2015, Fira Barcelona was hosting the most important tattoo event in Spain - the 18th edition of Barcelona Tattoo Expo. An event about Business Services, Lifestyle & Fashion and of course Tatoo Art - a great, vibrant experience. The aim of the event is to promote tattoo culture in the country, build strong connections and highlight the best professionals in the industry. The tattoo scene is big and worth spreading its beauty.
There was a great variation of all form of arts. The performances by the The Mysterious Crew is what we call bloody incredible - a show of body suspensions including Fakir Show and Need to fly presentation. You’ve got to have nerves to watch it as it can hurt your sensibility. And one of our favourite shows was a show of Shibari - the erotic art of oriental immobilization with ropes and lots of sensuality. It is a kind of show that touches you from inside out - full of passion, beauty and incredible mixture of pleasure.
The event was attended by more than 200 professional tattoo artists from all over the world, including such names as Joe Capobianco, Best Ink, Sasha Unisex - one of Russia’s most famous tattoo artists in the world. Barcelona Tattoo Expo is much more than just a tattoo exhibition - it features workshops, tattoo novice competition, seminars, music/ fashion performances, car/motor show and more. The variation of art forms makes possible to wander for hours and get inspired and visually amazed by the great artist exhibiting their pieces. One of a ‘must mention’ is work created by Zero SFX - a team specialized in special effect makeup art for the film and audiovisual industry. They also create silicone dolls entering the world of animatronics and becoming very competitive in the national and international scale. Another big highlight of the convention was Art on wheels - a show of incredible motors transformation through design. It was a eye pleasing experience for the wheel lovers and a great way to exhibit the artwork in a unique way for artists. Additionally to the motors, the Auto Show was held to exposit the incredible car design and competition for the best one.
What is best about this event? The authenticity. It’s real people in action, it’s live interaction between artist and the public. It is observing the process of art creation as it is being done. With all the beauty, pain, suffering and satisfaction behind. It’s a ‘touchable’ experience that feels very real. The place is filled with great designers, art lovers and great public who is absolutely syncing with the place.If you have missed it this year, put it on your ‘to do list’ in 2016.
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S LORENZO GONZALEZ & PABLO DANELUTTO
LORENZO GONZALEZ & PABLO DANELUTTO
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii Model: Tara Lynn
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
LOCATION: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Nicholas Huggins designs
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
The Portraits ‘I am using Vector Illustration style to draw portraits. When I first started doing portraits I mainly illustrated musicians and other people whose work resonated with me. If I was feeling inspired by the music of someone I would do a portrait of them and see how their vibe would affect the final outcome. Now, I would illustrate anyone who inspires me, artists, scientists, musicians, athletes. I’ve also done a couple self portraits and portraits of friends.’ Typography ‘Of course it’s art! I love the idea of breaking something down to its rawest form of communication and then using the word to transform the meaning even further. If someone asks you to represent a tree on paper, you could either write the word “tree” or you could draw a tree. I like to combine this and along the way maybe alter the meaning to something else.’
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Island life or computer? ‘I have gotten accustomed to spending a lot of time in front of the computer, but luckily I’m doing work that I love. It is however difficult on days when the weather is good and you might prefer to be on the beach or doing something outdoors. But once you have good balance in your life I do not think of it as something that is a problem.’
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
NICHOLAS HUGGINS D E S I G N
Featured Photographer: Mason Rose Location: Hawaii Model: Mahina Garcia
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
Film Review The Lei Makers: Local Tradition Battles World Economics by Romola Lucas of the Caribbean Film Academy
The 8-minute short comedy film The Lei Makers, written by David Kabisch and directed by Allison Kennedy, tells the story of two lei vendors, Mahealani and Yoshiko, who find themselves in the middle of a bidding war for customers at their lei stands in the midst of an Hawaiian airport. Mahealani, the local lei maker, takes the time to hand pick the flowers for her leis. She sits at her stand and hand-makes her leis. Yoshiko, on the other hand, is not native Hawaiian, does not make her leis herself and has found a way to top Mahealani in sales. The war between the two women escalates to the breaking point in front of their customers, threatening to destroy everything they have built. The filmmakers took a clear side in telling this story. Whenever we see Mahealani, she looks beautiful and serene and is well-framed by the camera. She is the local. We see her in her garden picking flowers, while humming a traditional song. She takes pride in her traditional leis, scorning Yoshiko’s ‘plastic leis.’ Yoshiko, on the other hand, looks a bit unkempt and disheveled. Whenever she is in frame, the camera is tilted, or looking down on her, or the background is cluttered, all pointing to her disfavored position in the narrative. However, she is an astute business woman, who caters to her customers, from low prices to other modern conveniences, thereby finding a way to get the best of Mahealani. With the rich and beautiful visuals and their unabashed support for traditional lei making, the filmmakers have ended up telling a heart-warming story, showing that despite major disparities different cultures have to find a way to survive.
The Hawaii International Film Festival 2015
B A S S CU LT U R E I S L A N D S
by Romola Lucas of the Caribbean Film Academy
Last year the Hawaii International Film Festival, now in its 35th year, was held from November 12-22. The festival again provided a major showcase for Asia-Pacific cinema and is, as the festival’s website rightly points out, ‘unique in discovering features, documentaries and shorts from Asia made by Asians, films about the Pacific made by Pacific Islanders, and films made by Hawai`i filmmakers that present Hawai`i in a culturally accurate way.’ The festival’s programmers sifted through about 1,000 submissions to select 150 shorts, features, documentaries, and narratives. The opening night film was the Hawaiian premiere of the South Korean film The Throne directed by Lee Joon-Ik. The film tells the story of the most tragic and iconic eight days in the history of Joseon Dynasty, disclosing what forced a father to kill his own son. The so-called center piece film was Carol directed by Todd Haynes. Set in the 1950s in in New York, Carol tells the story of two women from very different backgrounds who find themselves in love. The closing night featured the Chinese film A Tale of Three Cities. Directed by Mabel Chung, this film revolves around a couple’s relationship in wartorn China of the 1930s and 1940s. It is an epic period drama about individuals overwhelmed by the times, their trajectories shaped by rapidly changing circumstances beyond their control. The other films at the festival were screened under several different programs, including, New American Filmmakers, Pacific Showcase, Made in Hawaii, Spotlight on Europe, Spotlight on China, Spotlight on India, Spotlight on the Philippines, Spotlight on Taiwan, South East Asian Showcase, North American Cinema, HIFF Extreme, Hitchcock Spotlight and a Shorts Program. The festival also hosted various youth film education programs and, of course, an awards gala. For more information, and to see a full list of the lms that were screened and awarded, visit www.hi .org.