HIFF40 Program Guide

HIFF.ORG

NOVEMBER 5 - 29, 2020

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WWW.H ALEKULA NI.CO M # H AL E KULA NIM O M ENT

HHAALLEEKKUULLAANNI I RREENNEEW WEEDD OOPPEENNIINNGG 22002211

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Bell - President Kristen Chan Jason Cutinella Mark Davis Ric Galindez Christina Hom Jake Houseman Bryan Luke Wayne Miyao Dick Oshima Brian Uy Indru Watumull Howard J. Wolff Owen Ogawa - Director Emeritus

HIFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LETTER Aloha kākou, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 40th anniversary of the Hawai’i International Film Festival.

2020 has been an enormously difficult year for everyone, and especially here in our home of Hawai‘i with all industries heavily impacted. HIFF is proud to take a stand for arts and culture in our islands and to persevere for our ohana. This year we bring to you a renewed and reimagined HIFF, as movie theaters, museums, art galleries, film production, arts non-profits, and creative entrepreneurs in general have shown tremendous creativity in resilience through the challenges of the pandemic and civil unrest.

While our 40th anniversary isn’t the grand experience we had been planning, I could not be more excited for this year's Festival. For our 2020 edition, the HIFF lineup is a statement on the perseverance and resilience of Hawai‘i’s community and entrepreneurial spirit. We are proud to have pivoted our theater experience into a top tier streaming experience, with select, safe, and socially distant theater screenings partnering with Consolidated Theaters in Hawai’i. We have maintained all of our education programs, our free virtual reality program, and even increased our industry panels and Q&A’s. We are launching a series of HIFF Drive-ins across Oahu to support or local films on the big screen in a fun, safe, prestigious, and nostalgic atmosphere. We continue to bring you top-tier films from around the globe, and a star-studded online event. And we are thrilled to extend our Festival offerings online to audiences and cinema enthusiasts across the nation, offering even more reach for our local Made in Hawai‘i and Pacific Islander film sections as we showcase our largest selection of locally-produced films.

Although we are unable to host many out-of-town filmmakers and industry luminaries in Honolulu via generous sponsorships provided by Hawaiian Airlines and white glove accommodations and service at Halekulani, our presenting sponsor, we are eager to “Bring Hawai‘i to You” in this year of restricted travel. Whether you live in Honolulu, Honoka‘a, Hamburg, or Hoboken, most of HIFF40's premier programming will be available to viewers nationwide and "on-demand." You get to set your own viewing schedule between our festival dates of November 5th to the 29th, 2020.

I want to thank the incredible and hardworking HIFF staff who shined in their tenacious spirit to adapt new platforms to maximize the reach and scope of HIFF. I want to thank the HIFF Board for giving us the vision to make things happen in an environment with an ever-changing public health protocol. I want to thank our generous partners and sponsors who are sticking with us, even in the midst of their own struggles. I want to thank our filmmakers and creatives – locally, across the Pacific, and internationally, for continuing to create relevant, entertaining, and authentic stories to share with the world.

But most of all, I want to thank our dedicated HIFF Ohana, members, and audiences that have shown us this year more than ever how important and meaningful the HIFF cinema experiences are. When times are tough, cinema provides escapism, an exchange of ideas, and a voice for the voiceless. Throughout it all, HIFF and our cinema is more powerful than ever. As the brick-andmortar is experiencing uncertainty (support your local theaters!), the concept of the cinema is right at the tip of your fingertips and beamed directly to you at HIFF40. Whether you buy a HIFF pass, support our HIFF40 for 40 fundraising campaign, take part in our many free industry initiatives, or share with us on social media – mahalo!! We’ll “see you” at the movies.

BECKIE STOCCHETTI Executive Director JEFF BELL President & Chairman Board of Directors

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FILM PROGRAM

PRESENTED AWARDS HALEKULANI GOLDEN MAILE FOR CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD According to Hawaiian tradition, the maile lei is often reserved for the most memorable occasions. It is known as the ‘lei of royalty’ given to signify respect and honor. The HIFF Golden Maile Award for Career Achievement is bestowed to an artist who has reached the career pinnacles very few have achieved via industry awards and accolades and a body of work that is known globally. They can represent an entire country's film industry by producing work that is best representative of that country's very best in cinema, developing an illustrious and varied filmography that truly captures cultural snapshots through powerful storytelling and exemplary movie-making. Past recipients include Masato Harada, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson, Maggie Cheung, and Wong Kar Wai.

HIFF HALEKULANI NEW VANGUARD AWARD The New Vanguard Award, is HIFF's "rising star" award, honoring a young innovator, who has catapulted so quickly into the cultural zeitgeist as an artist, an advocate and a role model. In this new age of streaming, where there is a need and desire to produce authentic storytelling and a drive to push for broader diversity above and below the line to properly reflect society today, the New Vanguard honoree has navigated through all the noise of content available to rise above it all and leave an indelible mark on young audiences around the globe.

HALEKULANI MAVERICK AWARD The Hawaii International Film Festival's Halekulani Maverick Award is given to an international cinema artist who has a unique and eclectic career trajectory, contributing to international cinema and the filmed arts in an innovative way. This maverick does things on his or her terms, creating work that can have a rabid, cult following to a mass appreciation in today’s pop culture. Like a trendsetter and tastemaker, their work may not have been appreciated early on, but has become an artistic benchmark.

PIC TRAILBLAZER AWARD This award, presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), is given to a cinema artist of Pacific Islander heritage who broadens the scope of Pacific Islander stories onto the world stage, producing award winning work in independent and global cinema. This honoree is a true trailblazer, whose work aligns with PIC’s mission, which is to support, advance, and develop Pacific Island media content and talent that results in a deeper understanding of Pacific Island history, culture, and contemporary challenges.

COMPETITION AWARDS MADE IN HAWAI‘I FILM AWARDS HIFF will present the MADE IN HAWAI‘I FILM awards this year to focus on the dynamic and flourishing local independent film scene that strives onward here in the Hawaiian Islands. Fiction, Non-fiction and short films that are made by locally-based filmmakers or involve locally-based stories are eligible for the BEST MADE IN HAWAI‘I Award. Nominees will be pre-selected by the Festival’s programmers.

MADE IN HAWAI‘I FILM JURY Melissa Bisagni — Film and Video Center Program Manager, Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian

Chris Lee — Founder and Director, Academy for Creative Media System at University of Hawai'i

Ianeta Lei — Senior Manager

HIFF BEST SHORT FILM AWARD Short films are usually the initial steps for an emerging filmmaker. They help establish tone, style and a filmmaker’s creative vision to form the foundation of a budding career. These works can also be proof of concepts or progenitors to a feature film, but they must stand alone as their own succinct and unique work. Short films come in many forms, genres and lengths and it is always a welcome challenge by the HIFF programmers to sift through the hundreds of entries per year to curate a half dozen feature length programs. The Shorts Film Award is chosen by a prestigious jury from a final selection of nominees selected by the Festival’s programming committee. This also includes specific programs such as PACIFIC SHOWCASE and MADE IN HAWAI‘I.

for the Indigenous Program, Sundance Institute

BEST SHORT FILM JURY Kelly Hu — Actor (X2, THE SCORPION KING, THE HAUMANA)

Erin Lau — Senior Producer-Director, Jubilee Media, THE MOON AND THE NIGHT (HIFF38 Award Winner)

Alika Maikau — Writer-Director,

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD PRESENTED BY HAWAI‘I NEWS NOW

MOLOKAI BOUND (HIFF39 Made

Vote for your favorite feature film, documentary or short film playing at HIFF. To vote, go to HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM/HIFF. Winners will be announced post-festival.

TO MAKAI, Best Live Action Short,

in Hawai‘i Award Winner), MAUKA imagiNATIVE

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HOW TO HIFF KEY TO ICONS IN FILM GUIDE: INCLUDED WITH SUPPORTER PASS INCLUDED WITH ALL-ACCESS PASS INCLUDED WITH LIMITED ACCESS PASS FREE AVAILABLE STATEWIDE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE DRIVE-IN IN THEATERS ONLINE

HIFF40 PASS INFORMATION HIFF40 LIMITED ACCESS PASS $80 | Limited Online Film Access • Watch 56 Features** & 95 Short films during the Festival Dates, Nov 5 - 29 **4 Films available in Hawai‘i-Only. Select titles have ‘limited seating’ for LIMITED ACCESS pass holders (watch early to ensure access!).

This information is noted on the film listings.

HIFF40 ALL-ACCESS PASS $130 | All Online Film Access • Watch 82 Features** & 95 Short films during the Festival Dates, Nov 5 - 29 • G u a ra n t e e d A cce s s t o A L L o n l i n e programming **7 Films available in Hawai‘i-Only. This information is noted on the film listings.

HIFF40 SUPPORTER PASS

FESTIVAL DATES NOVEMBER 5 - 29, 2020

BOX OFFICE & TICKET INFORMATION Passes and tickets are currently available for purchase online at www.hiff.org, or by calling the HIFF Box Office at 1-808-447-0577.

BOX OFFICE HOURS Online 24hrs a day | 7 days a week Phone Hours OCT 16 - NOV 4 | 2:00PM - 6:00PM | Closed Sundays NOV 5 - 29 | 9:00AM - 8:00PM | Daily

$450 | All Online & In Person Film Access • Watch 82 Features** & 95 Short films online during the Festival Dates, November 5 - 29 • Guaranteed Access to ALL online programming • Access to ALL in person screenings included.

RSVP REQUIRED • Personalized Printed HIFF Pass & Special HIFF40 Gift Bag Included **7 Films available in Hawai‘i-Only. This information is noted on the film listings.

Go to www.www.hiff.org or call the HIFF Box Office 1-808-447-0577 to learn more about the HIFF40 passes.

HIFF40 TICKET INFORMATION ONLINE TICKETS $8 General Public | $6 HIFF Members • Tickets are for a single film only • Films are available for viewing during the Festival Dates, November 5 - 29 • Once you begin watching your film, you have 72 hours before it will expire

THEATER SCREENING TICKETS $14 General Public | $12 Senior/Student/Military *HIFF Members receive $2 OFF all tickets

DRIVE-IN SCREENING TICKETS Please visit www.hiff.org for full Drive-In pricing information & tickets.

PAYMENT METHODS All major credit cards are accepted.

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HOW TO HIFF ONLINE

WHERE CAN I WATCH HIFF40 ONLINE FILMS?

The HIFF40 Program will be 85% ONLINE at www.hiff.org!

• All HIFF40 Online films will be available to view online at www.hiff.org during the Festival dates.

• Watch the films directly on your computer, tablet, phone, Amazon Fire TV, Roku or Apple TV any day or time during the Festival dates.

• ALL films will be available to view in the state of Hawai'i, and 90% of films will be available nationwide.

• Special live Filmmaker Q&A's and Panels will also take place at specified times during the festival dates and will be broadcast simultaneously on Zoom, and Facebook.

Information on www.hiff.org

HOW DO I WATCH HIFF40 ONLINE FILMS? 1. Browse HIFF40 Films on www.hiff.org 2. Purchase a PASS on the Festival Passes webpage, OR purchase an individual film ticket by clicking on the link on the film page.

3. After Pass or Ticket purchase, look for an email with your link to access your purchased film or login instructions for your pass.

4. Grab your popcorn and kakimochi and watch on your device November 5 -29!

Optional: Download the ‘Hawaii International Film Festival’ app on your Amazon Fire TV, ROKU or Apple TV to watch directly on your television.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN LIVE Q&A'S AND PANELS? All Filmmaker Q&As and HIFF TALKS are FREE to attend and will be accessible on Zoom, and Facebook Live.

1. Browse the schedule of filmmaker Q&A's and HIFF TALKS on the FILMS & EVENTS page on www.hiff.org 2. Choose which ones you want to attend 3. Click the buy link in the event listing to register for FREE. 4. Check your email for the event Zoom link, sent to you on the day of the event. Open the link and join the discussion! You can also watch on Facebook Live via the HIFF Facebook page.

Optional: Can't make the TALK during the scheduled time? No worries! All Q&A's and TALKS will be recorded and available to view later on www.hiff.org and Facebook. *Bonus: Many films will also have pre-recorded Q&A’s that will be available for viewing anytime from November 5 - 29 on the HIFF Streaming app, at www.hiff.org, and on Facebook.

FILM PROGRAM

HOW TO HIFF AT THE THEATERS

HOW TO HIFF AT THE DRIVE-IN

QUESTIONS & SUPPORT

TICKETHOLDER ENTRY

TICKETHOLDER ENTRY

Have questions about how it all works? Need some tech support? Check out these resources to find out more: • Go to www.hiff.org FESTIVAL PASSES page for more information on Festival Passes • Go to www.hiff.org HOW TO HIFF40 page for tech support, streaming questions, and in person screening questions • Use the Live Chat box on www.hiff.org to connect directly with our support team • E-mail us any time at info@hiff.org with questions • Call our Tech Support line at 1-808-4470577; Open from 9AM - 8PM Daily from November 5th - 29th.

• Tickets are not available for purchase at the theaters, all tickets must be purchased in advance for in-person screenings.

• Tickets can be purchased online over the phone.

• Please have your ticket saved to your phone or printed for touchless entry into the venue. Your ticket will be scanned by a box office representative

PASSHOLDER ENTRY • All SUPPORTER PASSHOLDERS must preregister for screening entry • Registrations will be checked by a Staff Member at the theater

PASSHOLDER ENTRY • In alignment with Consolidated Theaters COVID policy, patrons may not arrive more than 30 minutes before showtime • Upon arrival, ticket and pass holders will be seated on a first come first served basis by a Staff Member. This is to ensure the safety of patrons in accordance with COVID guidelines

COVID GUIDELINES & SAFETY PROTOCOLS • HIFF will only fill the cinema to a 30% capacity for each screening.

• Patrons will be seated with their party at least two recliner seats apart from other groups in accordance with COVID guidelines.

• Face Coverings must be worn at ALL TIMES when inside the Consolidated Theaters venues.

• Patrons are asked respect the 6 foot rule between people when exiting, getting concessions, or using the restroom.

• Theaters will be sanitized between screenings.

• Concessions will NOT be available for purchase due to COVID restrictions.

VENUES CONSOLIDATED THEATERS WARD WITH TITAN LUXE Ward Entertainment Center 1044 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814 CONSOLIDATED THEATERS PEARLRIDGE 98-1005 Moanalua Rd #600 Aiea, HI 96701

• Vehicle Entry Tickets are valid for a maximum of four persons per car.

• Tickets are not available for purchase at the venue, all tickets must be purchased in advance for drive-in screenings.

• Tickets can be purchased online over the phone.

• Please have your ticket saved to your phone or printed for touchless entry into the venue, your ticket will be scanned by a box office representative.

PASSHOLDER ENTRY • All SUPPORTER PASSHOLDERS must preregister for screening entry • Please have your registration information available on your phone to be checked by HIFF Staff.

• Vehicle Entry is limited to a maximum of four persons per car.

VEHICLE ARRIVAL & ENTRY • Screening Venues will open 1 HOUR before showtime • HIFF Staff will direct vehicles to a parking space for viewing on a first come first served basis

VENUE DETAILS & COVID GUIDELINES Please visit www.hiff.org for further details regarding venue layouts, restrooms, and COVID guidelines.

DRIVE-IN LOCATIONS ALA MOANA DRIVE-IN ALA MOANA CENTER PARKING LOT 1450 Ala Moana Blvd Honolulu, HI 96814 VARSITY DRIVE-IN VARSITY BUILDING PARKING LOT 1110 University Ave Honolulu, HI 96826 WINWARD MALL DRIVE-IN WINDWARD MALL PARKING LOT 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI 96744

OLINO BY CONSOLIDATED THEATERS WITH TITAN LUXE 91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy #600 Kapolei, HI 96707 CONSOLIDATED THEATERS MILILANI WITH TITAN LUXE 95-1249 Meheula Pkwy Suite 173 Mililani, HI 96789

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HIFF OHANA MEMBERSHIP & HIFF SELECTS

FILM PROGRAM

HIFF MEMBERSHIP HIFF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership-driven organization, dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of the Islands through the cinematic arts. We rely on the support of our members to sustain and grow as Hawaii’s premier, non-profit organization devoted to the film arts. By joining the HIFF Ohana you’ll enjoy great films and support HIFF from our Annual Fall Festival and Spring Showcase to screenings and events throughout the year.

HIFF Memberships are year-round and good for 365 days.

HIFF SELECTS SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE Hawaii International Film Festival has launched our HIFF SELECTS program. A new monthly subscription program featuring a carefully curated new film each month, along with exclusive filmmaker discussions, and bonus features. Films will be screened each month on HIFF’s new streaming platform at watch.hiff.org. You can watch from the comfort of your home, and even join the discussion for our Q&A’s! Keeping our HIFF OHANA members in mind, this new service will feature special pricing for members.

HIFF OHANA MEMBERSHIP & HIFF SELECTS BENEFITS BENEFITS

HIFF OHANA (ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP) $40/Year

HIFF SELECTS (ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE) $7.99/For HIFF Members OR $9.99/month

HIFF OHANA SELECTS (MEMBERSHIP & SUBSCRIPTION IN ONE) $120/Year

Two (2) Discounted tickets to all in person and virtual HIFF Events*

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

Member preview screenings twice a year

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

Advanced ticket sales before each festival

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

Festival Program Guide

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

A specially curated monthly film available streaming from your home

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

An exclusive filmmaker Q&A each month

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

Monthly bonus features including bonus film content, short films, and more

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

Sharing your love for HIFF Year-Round?

INCLUDED

*Discount Applies to advance ticket sales only.

MEMBERSHIP & SUBSCRIPTION PURCHASE

HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED TECH SUPPORT?

Purchase your HIFF OHANA membership and/or HIFF SELECTS subscription anytime at www.hiff.org/membership or call the HIFF Box Office at (808) 447-0577 for assistance.

• Go to www.hiff.org/membership page for more information on Membership & Subscription • Go to www.hiff.org/hiff40 page for tech support and streaming questions • Use the Live Chat chatbox feature on HIFF.ORG to connect with support staff • E-mail us any time at info@hiff.org with questions • Call our Tech Support line at 808-447-0577 or 844-249-4531; Open from 9AM - 8PM Daily from November 5th - 29th

HIFF BOX OFFICE & Help Line PH: 808-447-0577 or 844-249-4531 October 16th - November 4th | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Closed on Sundays November 5th - 29th | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM info@hiff.org

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VIRTUAL FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE PASS TYPE

REGION

+CANADA

WEST COAST

FILM INFORMATION

AVAILABLE ONLINE

#HANDBALLSTRIVE | Japan | 108m 76 DAYS | United States, China | 93m AINU MOSIR | Japan | 84m ALOHA SURF HOTEL | United States | 94m ANY CRYBABIES AROUND? | Japan | 106m ASSASSINS | United States | 104m AWAKE | Japan | 119m BE WATER | United States | 96m BEAUTY WATER | South Korea | 85m BELLY OF THE BEAST | United States | 81m A BELOVED WIFE | Japan | 117m THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION | United States | 115m BOAT PEOPLE | Hong Kong SAR China | 109m CANE FIRE | United States | 90m DAUGHTERS | Japan | 104m DEATH OF NINTENDO | Philippines | 99m DEFINITION PLEASE | United States | 91m DETENTION | Taiwan ROC | 103m DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL | United States | 83m FIRST VOTE | United States | 58m FROM HERE | United States, Germany | 89m FUKUSHIMA 50 | Japan | 122m GEORAMA BOY PANORAMA GIRL | Japan | 105m GET THE HELL OUT | Taiwan ROC | 96m THE GIRL WHO LEFT HOME | United States | 100m GONE WITH THE LIGHT | China | 131m

NOV 5-29

GUNDA | Norway, United States | 93m HE WA’A, HE HONUA | United States | 58m THE HEALER AND THE PSYCHIATRIST | United Kingdom, Tonga | 74m HITMAN AGENT JUN | South Korea | 110m HŌKŪLE'A: RETURN TO TAHITI | United States | 25m HŌKŪLE‘A, STAR OF GLADNESS | United States | 28m HŌKŪLE'A: THE PROUD VOYAGE HOME | United States | 52m HULI!: KOKUA HAWAII AND THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT IN CONTEMPORARY HAWAI'I | United States | 131m

INTO THE STORM | United Kingdom, Peru | 84m KA HUAKA'I: THE JOURNEY TO MERRIE MONARCH | United States | 46m KEEP ROLLING | Hong Kong SAR China | 112m THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS

| United States | 85m

LANDFALL | United States | 91m LOIMATA, THE SWEETEST TEARS | New Zealand | 94m LUCKY CHAN-SIL | South Korea | 95m LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE | United States | 108m LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM | Bhutan | 109m MAURI | New Zealand | 90m MEKONG 2030 | Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam | 93m 8 HIFF

NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 11/27 3:00PM - 11/28 3:00PM NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 11/6 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM 11/17 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM NOV 16-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 16-29 NOV 16-29 NOV 16-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 11/8 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM 11/20 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 11/7 3:00PM & 11/16-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29

FILM PROGRAM

MIDNIGHT SWAN | Japan | 124m MINARI | United States | 115m MOANANUIAKEA: ONE OCEAN, ONE PEOPLE, ONE CANOE | United States | 130m MOGUL MOWGLI | United Kingdom | 90m MOVING ON | South Korea | 105m MRS. NOISY | Japan | 107m MY DONKEY, MY LOVER, AND I | France MY PRINCE EDWARD | Hong Kong SAR China | 88m NEW ORDER | Mexico, France | 88m NIGHT OF THE KINGS | France Cote D'Ivoire, Canada, Senegal | 93m ONE WORD | Germany | 83m THE PAPER TIGERS | United States | 108m RADIO SILENCE | Switzerland | 78m THE REAL THING (LIMITED SERIES) | Japan | 240m RESISTANCE FIGHTERS - THE GLOBAL ANTIBIOTICS CRISIS | Germany | 99m SECRET ZOO | South Korea | 117m A SIMPLE LIFE | Hong Kong SAR China | 118m SONG OF THE EXILE | Hong Kong SAR China | 96m SOUND OF METAL | United States | 130m SPRING TIDE | China | 124m STORY GAME | United States | 97m STRAY | United States | 73m SUMMER OF 85 | France SUMODO: THE SUCCESSORS OF SAMURAI | Japan | 104m THE SWORDSMAN | South Korea | 100m THE THERAPIST: FIST OF TAE-BAEK | South Korea | 107m THROUGH THE NIGHT | United States | 72m TUPAIA'S ENDEAVOUR | French Polynesia, New Zealand | 119m TWO OF US | France | 95m UNDER THE OPEN SKY | Japan | 126m VOICES IN THE WIND | Japan | 139m WAIKIKI | United States | 77m WATER LIKE FIRE | United States | 88m WEED & WINE | United States, France | 89m WITHOUT STRINGS | India | 94m A WITNESS OUT OF THE BLUE | Hong Kong SAR China | 104m WOTAKOI: LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU | Japan | 114m

11/5 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM NOV 16-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 11/14 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM 11/25 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM 11/13 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM 11/21 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 11/15 7:00PM - 11/16 7:00PM 11/22 7:00PM - 11/23 7:00PM NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 16-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-15 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 25-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29 NOV 5-29

ALL SHORTS AVAILABLE NOV 5-29

SHORTS

ACM UHM SHOWCASE MADE IN HAWAII SHORTS SHORTS PROGRAM: A BETTER LIFE SHORTS PROGRAM: LITTLE DOCS STUDENT SHOWCASE PASS TYPE ACCESSIBILITY Limited

NOV 5-29

Supporter

DANIEL K. INOUYE INITIATIVE SHOWCASE PACIFIC SHOWCASE SHORTS SHORTS PROGRAM: DARK WAVE SHORTS PROGRAM: TURNING POINT

REGION ACCESSIBILITY All Access

Free to Public

Streaming in HI only

Streaming in USA

Streaming World Wide

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TALKS & PANELS HIFF is proud to present an exciting line-up of LIVE filmmaker discussions, panels and special virtual events. All HIFF TALKS, PANELS & EVENTS will be presented ONLINE and are entirely FREE to the public.

DISCUSSION PANELS FILM FOR THOUGHT IN CONVERSATION As part of HIFF’s Annual Film For Thought program presented by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, the festival will present a series of scholar-led discussions with Film For Thought directors.

A CONVERSATION WITH CECILIA ALDARONDO

SCHEDULE INFORMATION AND EVENT REGISTRATION AT WWW.HIFF.ORG HIFF TALK STORY PANELS (CONT)

THE RISE OF THE SCRIPTED PODCAST The rise of the scripted podcast aka serial dramas are attracting big name talent, especially in 2020 where film production came to a complete stop. Philip W. Chung chats with te likes of Matt Schrader, the creator of BLOCKBUSTER podcast, as well as other podcast development executives.

Join us for a special Conversation With Cecilia Aldarondo director of LANDFALL. Moderated by Mehana Vaughan, Assistant Professor with Natural Resources and Environmental Management University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

A CONVERSATION WITH LANA CONDOR | HIFF VANGUARD AWARD RECIPIENT

A CONVERSATION WITH LOIRA LIMBAL

Join us for an extended conversation with actress Lana Condor (TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE), recipient of the 2020 HIFF Vanguard Award.

Join us for a special Conversation With Loira Limbal director of THROUGH THE NIGHT. Moderated by Betsy Colwill, Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

A CONVERSATION WITH PAWO CHONYING DORJI Join us for a special Conversation With Pawo Chonying Dorji director of LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM. Moderated by Simon Tajiri teacher of Hawaiian culture and language at Lāna‘i High and Elementary School.

A CONVERSATION WITH URSULA LIANG Join us for a special Conversation With Ursula Liang director of DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL. Moderated by University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa English professor Danielle Seid.

THE WAY FORWARD: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE AND RECKONING IN HAWAI‘I In this unique 3 day event, participate in conversations centered on films challenging and expanding notions of race and equality in Hawaii and beyond.

PANEL 1—BLACK LIVES MATTER, POC LIVES MATTER, BLACK-LED SOCIAL MOVEMENTS A conversation on Black Lives Matter and how this movement relates to Hawai‘i with Stanley Nelson, filmmaker, co-founder of Firelight Media, and Nailah Jefferson, filmmaker, Firelight Fellow. Moderated by Dr. Akiemi Glenn, Executive Director of Popolo Project.

PANEL 2—MIXED PLATE: HAPA AND MULTIETHNIC REPRESENTATION IN FILM

HIFF TALK STORY MASTER CLASS SERIES

A CONVERSATION WITH DAVE FILONI | HIFF MAVERICK AWARD RECIPIENT Join us for an extended conversation with writer/director Dave Filoni (THE MANDALORIAN, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS), recipient of the 2020 HIFF Maverick Award.

A CONVERSATION WITH JASON SCOTT LEE Join us for an extended conversation with actor Jason Scott Lee as he discusses his career and the history and influence of HIFF as the festival celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

A CONVERSATION WITH KEALA SETTLE | HIFF TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENT Join us for an extended conversation with Broadway actress and singer Keala Settle, recipient of the 2020 HIFF Trailblazer Award.

NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES: A CONVERSATION WITH ROSEANNE LIANG Presented as part of the New American Perspectives program in partnership with the Vilcek Foundation, join us for a special conversation with New Zealand born director Roseanne Liang (SHADOW IN THE CLOUD).

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG: A CONVERSATION WITH ANN HUI | HIFF CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT Join us for a special conversation with renowned director Ann Hui, and the director of a documentary on her life, Man Lim Chung (KEEP ROLLING).

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN: A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN HSU

What does it mean for mixed race filmmakers to represent biracial and multiracial characters and stories, and connect with audiences? A conversation featuring filmmaker Ursula Liang and other panelists, moderated by Mari Masuda UHM Law Professor.

Join us for an extended conversation with filmmaker John Hsu, as he discusses his work and the evolution of non-traditional media.

PANEL 3—CHILDCARE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS: CAREGIVING POC

BE WATER BRUCE LEE 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION & PANEL

ESSENTIAL WORKERS How are essential workers, who are predominantly people of color, being impacted by the desperate need for child care? A conversation featuring filmmaker Loira Limbal and other panelists, moderated by Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt, UHWO Community Health Professor.

November 27, 2020 will be Bruce Lee's 80th birthday. To commemorate this occasion, a group of organizations are proud to present a free screening of BE WATER. Followed by a live streamed panel with director Bao Nguyen, Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee, culture writer Phil Yu (Angry Asian Man), celebrity chef and 'Ugly Delicious' host Dave Chang,

FIRELIGHT MEDIA PAU HANA & TALK STORY

DA BREAKFAST KINE CLUB W/ IMPROVHI

A panel discussion with alumni from the Firelight Media mentorship program featuring filmmakers Ursula Liang, Ciara Lacy, and Laurie Sumiye.

HIFF TALK STORY PANELS

NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES PANEL DISCUSSION As part of 2020’s New American Perspective’s program presented in partnership with the Vilcek Foundation, HIFF will present a FREE panel discussion with filmmakers spotlighted in this year’s program: Roseanne Liang, Yi Chen, Valerie Castillo Martinez, Bassam Tariq, and Hao Wu

POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY: VISIONS OF HŌKŪLE‘A PVS and ‘Ulu‘ulu will moderate a free online panel with special guests including members of PVS and the filmmakers who produced films on and about the Hōkūle‘a.

10 HIFF

SPECIAL ONLINE EVENTS

An 80s classic with a Hawai’i twist. Five local high school students from Honolulu spend a Saturday in detention together to find out that they have more in common than they thought. In this special live streamed stage reading of THE BREAKFAST CLUB, this pidgin english rendering will be performed by local actors.

LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE WATCH PARTY & PANEL On November 7th, join HIFF for a special nationwide watch party of LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE! The screening will be followed by a FREE panel discussion with the cast and crew.

STARCAST WITH VIBRATION GROUP LIVE PERFORMANCE Join the VIBRATION GROUP for an astral voyage with meditation, music, dance, and a rare visit to the intergalactic library of knowledge. By beaming onto their ship, you’ll help spread their message of healing and resiliency in hopes that it will reverberate across their beloved home planet Earth.

THEATER & DRIVE-IN SCREENINGS

FILM PROGRAM

THEATER SCREENINGS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5TH 7:00 PM-9:03 PM

MONDAY NOVEMBER 16TH US

Ward

THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI

JP

Ward

8:30 PM-10:27 PM THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI

JP

Ward

MINARI

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6TH 5:30 PM-7:27 PM

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7TH 2:00 PM-3:37 PM 5:00 PM-6:37 PM 8:00 PM-9:26 PM

Made In Hawaii Shorts Program 1 Made In Hawaii Shorts Program 1 SHADOW IN THE CLOUD

US

Ward

US

Ward

NZ

Ward

SW SW US

Ward Ward Ward

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH 2:00 PM-3:41 PM 5:00 PM-6:41 PM 8:00 PM-9:47 PM

I AM GRETA I AM GRETA MLK/FBI

JP

Olino

8:00 PM-9:57 PM

THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI

JP

Olino

HOKUSAI

JP

Olino

8:00 PM-10:12 PM HOKUSAI

JP

Olino

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17TH 5:00 PM-7:12 PM

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18TH 5:30 PM-7:04 PM

BABY DONE

NZ

Olino

8:00 PM-9:34 PM

BABY DONE

NZ

Olino

I'M YOUR WOMAN

US

Mililani

8:00 PM-10:03 PM I'M YOUR WOMAN

US

Mililani

ALOHA SURF HOTEL

US

Mililani

ALOHA SURF HOTEL

US

Mililani

US US

Mililani Mililani

US

Mililani

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19TH

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20TH 5:30 PM-7:07 PM

AMMONITE

UK

Ward

8:00 PM-10:00 PM AMMONITE

UK

Ward

HOKUSAI

JP

Ward

8:00 PM-10:12 PM HOKUSAI

JP

Ward

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10TH 5:00 PM-7:12 PM

THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI

5:00 PM-7:03 PM

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9TH 5:00 PM-7:00 PM

5:00 PM-6:57 PM

8:00 PM-9:37 PM

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21ST 2:00 PM-3:47 PM 5:00 PM-6:07 PM 8:00 PM-9:07 PM

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11TH 5:00 PM-6:47 PM

MLK/FBI

US

Pearlridge

8:00 PM-9:47 PM

MLK/FBI

US

Pearlridge

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

CH

Pearlridge

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

CH

Pearlridge

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12TH 5:00 PM-6:58 PM 8:00 PM-9:58 PM

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13TH 5:30 PM-7:21 PM

LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE US

Pearlridge

8:30 PM-10:21 PM LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE US

Pearlridge

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14TH 2:00 PM-3:26 PM 5:00 PM-6:38 PM 8:00 PM-9:47 PM

SHADOW IN THE CLOUD PSYCHO GOREMAN MLK/FBI

NZ CA US

Pearlridge Pearlridge Ward

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15TH 2:00 PM-3:33 PM 5:00 PM-6:40 PM 8:00 PM-9:40 PM

UNDINE STORY GAME STORY GAME

DE JP, US JP, US

Olino Olino Olino

MLK/FBI Made In Hawaii Shorts Program 2 Made In Hawaii Shorts Program 2

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22ND 2:00 PM-3:43 PM

THE GIRL WHO LEFT HOME

US

Mililani

5:00 PM-6:58 PM

A LEG

TW

Mililani

8:00 PM-9:45 PM

I WEIRDO

TW

Mililani

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28TH 2:00 PM-3:20 PM

WAIKIKI

US

Ward

5:00 PM-6:20 PM

WAIKIKI

US

Ward

8:00 PM-9:20 PM

WAIKIKI

US

Ward

Made In Hawaii Shorts Program 1 KA HUAKA'I w/ HAWAIIAN SOUL+KAPAEMAHU

US

Ward

US

Ward

3:00 PM-4:07 PM

Made In Hawaii Shorts Program 2

US

Ward

5:00 PM-6:31 PM 8:00 PM-9:31 PM

WATER LIKE FIRE WATER LIKE FIRE

US US

Ward Ward

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22ND 2:00 PM-3:42 PM 2:30 PM-3:46 PM

DRIVE-IN SCREENINGS

HIFF40 Drive-In Screenings will be scheduled on weekends between NOV 5 - 29, 2020.

FULL HIFF40 DRIVE-IN SCHEDULE AND DETAILS CAN BE FOUND AT HIFF.ORG HIFF .ORG  11

MAHALO TO OUR SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR

MAJOR SPONSORS

PREMIERE SPONSORS

12  HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

MAHALO THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED IN PART BY AN AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS. This program is made possible by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the federal CARES Act. This program is made possible by funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the federal CARES Act. Funding provided by Hawai‘i Tourism through the Community Enrichment Program HA KA Entertainment Daniel K. Inouye Institute GN Wilcox Trust Josie & Don Over Memorial Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation McInerny Foundation Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) �Ulu�ulu: The Henry Ku�ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai�i

HIFF .ORG 13

2020 MADE IN HAWAI‘I FILM AWARD NOMINEES HIFF will present the third annual MADE IN HAWAII FILM AWARD this year to continue our focus on the dynamic and flourishing local independent film scene that strives onward here in the Hawaiian Islands. Fiction, non-fiction and short films that are made by locally-based filmmakers or involve locally-based stories are spread out throughout the 2020 film program to stand alongside works from around the world. HIFF's decision to include this competition was an easy one, as the Festival has an illustrious history of providing a forum for Hawaii-made films for

its 40 year history. As the media landscape changes, along with the democratization of ‘filmmaking’ itself via digital technology, the rise of local cinema artists has drastically increased. At the same time, creative content produced by indigenous people around the world, including Native Hawaiians, is on the rise. With this in mind, the intent of the MADE IN HAWAII FILM AWARD is to provide accolades to films that our esteemed jury feel offer significant representation of stories that authentically reflect the unique, yet universal experiences of ourselves.

NOMINATED FEATURES

ALOHA SURF HOTEL

CANE FIRE

WORLD PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

DIRECTOR: STEFAN SCHAEFER

DIRECTOR: ANTHONY BANUA-SIMON

See Page 38 for film details.

See Page 27 for film details.

HULI!: KOKUA HAWAII AND THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT IN CONTEMPORARY HAWAI'I WORLD PREMIERE DIRECTOR: GARY PAK

KA HUAKA'I: THE JOURNEY TO MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL PREMIERE DIRECTOR: GERARD ELMORE See Page 28 for film details.

See Page 28 for film details.

STORY GAME

WAIKIKI

WATER LIKE FIRE

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

WORLD PREMIERE

DIRECTOR: JASON LAU

DIRECTOR CHRIS KAHUNAHANA

DIRECTOR: MITCHEL VIERNES

See Page 28 for film details.

See Page 17 for film details.

See Page 28 for film details.

38 MINUTES

FINDING DOHI

HAWAIIAN SOUL

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPECIAL SCREENING

KAMA'ĀINA (CHILD OF THE LAND)

DIRECTOR: PAUL LACOVARA

DIRECTOR: AMBER MCCLURE

DIRECTOR: ‘ĀINA PAIKAI

See Page 40 for film details.

See Page 41 for film details.

See Page 41 for film details.

SPECIAL SCREENING

NOMINATED SHORTS

DIRECTOR: KIMI HOWL LEE See Page 41 for film details.

KAPAEMAHU

KIPUKA - NEW BEGINNINGS

HAWAII PREMIERE

WORLD PREMIERE

DIRECTOR: DEAN HAMER, JOE WILSON, HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU

DIRECTOR: AI IWANE

See Page 41 for film details.

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See Page 41 for film details.

MAUNA KEA: SACRED MOUNTAIN, SACRED CONDUCT FESTIVAL PREMIERE DIRECTOR: MELEANNA MEYER, TOM COFFMAN See Page 41 for film details.

RED HOUSE HAWAII PREMIERE DIRECTOR: GERARD ELMORE See Page 41 for film details.

2020 HONOREES

FILM PROGRAM

HALEKULANI GOLDEN MAILE FOR CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

ANN HUI

The winner of three Golden Horse awards and six Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) for best director, Ann Hui is one of the most talented filmmakers of her generation. She is known for her films about social issues in Hong Kong including three films that we are screening from her filmography--BOAT PEOPLE (1982), SONG OF THE EXILE (1990) and A SIMPLE LIFE (2011). For HIFF40, it is with great pleasure to bestow Hui with this year’s recipient of the Halekulani Golden Maile for Career Achievement. Director Hui is also this year’s Hong Kong Filmmaker in Profile in the SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG presented by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in San Francisco.

HIFF HALEKULANI MAVERICK AWARD

RACHEL BROSNAHAN

Best known in her Emmy and Golden Globe winning performance as Midge Maisel in the Amazon Prime hit series THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, Rachel Brosnahan has graced the stage and major event shows in the height of "Peak TV." From her Emmy nominated recurring role in Netflix's HOUSE OF CARDS to her series lead role in the critically-acclaimed MANHATTAN on WGN, Brosnahan started at the famed Steppenwolf Theatre in 2009.

Brosnahan's career leaps into feature films as a lead is Julia Hart's I'M YOUR WOMAN, a gritty '70s crime drama that she also serves as producer. HIFF40 is honored to present the Halekulani Maverick Award to Rachel Brosnahan.

HIFF HALEKULANI MAVERICK AWARD

DAVE FILONI

The Halekulani Maverick Award is given to an international cinema artist who has a unique and eclectic career trajectory, contributing to international cinema arts in an innovative way. This maverick does things on their own terms, creating work that can have a rabid following to a mass appreciation in today's pop culture. In Hollywood's pursuit of forever franchises, this year, we are greatly honored to bestow the Maverick Award to a true myth maker and world-builder and one of the guardians of the Star Wars universe, Dave Filoni (THE MANDALORIAN, THE CLONE WARS, STAR WARS: REBELS).

HIFF HALEKULANI MAVERICK AWARD

STEVEN YEUN

Best known for his roles as Glenn Rhee in the hit television series THE WALKING DEAD, where he co-starred for six seasons, Steven Yeun has crafted a versatile career that vacillates between pop mainstream entertainment and the Cannes red carpet. From co-starring in the Sundance hit SORRY TO BOTHER YOU and Netflix's OKJA from Bong Joon-ho (in a role written for him), to his National Society of Film Critics nominated role as Ben in Lee Chang-dong's BURNING, as a morally ambiguous playboy, Yeun can be categorized as a global citizen of cinema. In his latest, MINARI, Yeun stretches his acting chops in a lovely performance as a Korean immigrant father in pursuit of his American dream.

HIFF HALEKULANI NEW VANGUARD AWARD

LANA CONDOR

Over the last few years Lana Condor has burst onto the scene as one of the most in-demand leading ladies in the entertainment industry, making her star turn in the rom-com film TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE, which became a global sensation for Netflix in the summer of 2018. Condor broke the mold as the first Asian American leading lady in a YA romantic comedy. In addition to her co-starring turns in X-MEN APOCALYPSE, THE DEADLY CLASS and ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, as well as her charity work and social media presence to promote girls education and civic engagement, HIFF is honored to bestow our first New Vanguard Award to actress and activist Lana Condor.

HIFF PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN COMMUNICATIONS TRAILBLAZER AWARD

KEALA SETTLE

Born in Laie, Keala Settle catapulted onto the Broadway stage with her powerful voice and presence in major hits WAITRESS, LES MISERABLES, and her Tony nominated portrayal of Norma Valverde in HANDS ON A HARDBODY. In 2017, she would make a global impact in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, alongside Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya. The song "This Is Me" from the film, won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, where she performed to hundreds of millions of viewers. For 2020, HIFF and PIC have the great pleasure to honor our first "Trailblazer" from Hawai'i, Broadway singer and film actress Keala Settle.

HIFF40 LEGACY AWARD

JASON SCOTT LEE

Hawai'i's own Jason Scott Lee bursted into the Hollywood scene as Bruce Lee in the 1993 martial arts film DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY and Mowgli in Disney's 1994 live action adaptation of THE JUNGLE BOOK. His HIFF debut was in the award winning MAP OF THE HUMAN HEART directed by Kiwi Vincent Ward. Lee is the Hawai‘i actor success story, and he has had an illustrious acting career for over two decades. Becoming mid-pacific, he set his sights to Asia and co-starred in Netflix's CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: SWORD OF DESTINY and the Kevin Costner produced RAPA NUI. He also made a return to his roots, in the Disney hit LILO & STITCH and stars in the recent live-action remake MULAN.

HIFF .ORG 15

Proud to be the Official Airline of the 40th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival

Every great film is a journey. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

16 HIFF

FEATURED FILMS

FILM PROGRAM

OPENING NIGHT FILM

MINARI HAWAII PREMIERE OPENING NIGHT FILM | NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES

UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 115M DIRECTOR: LEE ISAAC CHUNG

5-NOV 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM ONLINE 5-NOV 7:00 PM | WARD A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, MINARI follows a Korean American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, MINARI shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. Lee Isaac Chung's coming-of-age film claimed both the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury prize and Audience Awards at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

CENTERPIECE PRESENTATIONS

I AM GRETA HAWAII PREMIERE CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION

SWEDEN 2020 | ENGLISH, SWEDISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 98M DIRECTOR: NATHAN GROSSMAN

8-NOV 2:00PM | WARD • 8-NOV 5:00PM | WARD | HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO) In August of 2018, Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old student in Sweden, starts a school strike for the climate. Her question for adults: "If you don't care about her future on earth, why should she care about her future in school?" Within months, Greta, a quiet, self-proclaimed nerd, who is on the autism spectrum, is now a world famous activist. Director Nathan Grossman follows Greta Thunberg's meteoric one-year rise from high-school climate strike organizer to inspiration for a global movement.

MLK/FBI HAWAII PREMIERE CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION

UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 104M DIRECTOR: SAM POLLARD

8-NOV 8:00 PM | WARD 11-NOV 5:00 PM | PEARLRIDGE • 11-NOV 8:00 PM | PEARLRIDGE 21-NOV 2:00 PM | MILILANI Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered today as an American hero: a bridge-builder, a shrewd political tactician, and a moral leader. Yet throughout his history-altering political career, he was often treated by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies like an enemy of the state. In this virtuosic documentary, veteran documentarian Sam Pollard lays out a detailed account of the FBI surveillance that dogged King's activism throughout the '50s and '60s, fueled by the racist and red-baiting paranoia of J. Edgar Hoover. In crafting a rich archival tapestry, featuring some revelatory restored footage of King, Pollard urges us to remember that true American progress is always hard-won.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

WAIKIKI HAWAII PREMIERE CLOSING NIGHT FILM

UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, HAWAIIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 77M DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPER KAHUNAHANA

NOV 25 - 29 | ONLINE 28-NOV 2:00 PM | WARD • 28-NOV 5:00 PM | WARD • 28-NOV 8:00 PM | WARD 20-NOV 8:00 PM | ALA MOANA DRIVE-IN While working three jobs, Kea struggles to remain financially stable. After a heated argument with her abusive boyfriend, she drives away injuring a bystander with her car. To avoid reporting her mistake, Kea helps him into her car and they continue on a journey that spiritually transforms her. WAIKIKI is a kaleidoscope dream portraying a working-class woman who attempts to find her purpose through her culture, nature, and the life that continues to hurt her.

HIFF .ORG 17

ASIAN SHOWCASE

#HANDBALLSTRIVE

AINU MOSIR

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

JAPAN 2019 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 108M

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 84M

DIRECTOR: DAIGO MATSUI

DIRECTOR: TAKESHI FUKUNAGA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Masao is a high school student in the town of Kumamoto. Together with his friend Okamoto, the two start an Instagram hashtag, #HANDBALLSTRIVE, that goes viral. The publicity from the hashtag prompts the boys high school handball team to re-form. The boys continue to stage #Handballstrive photos until it is revealed that they are doing so, which may jeopardize the handball team's future...

Kanto is a fourteen-year-old boy and a descendant of Japan's indigenous Ainu people. He lives with his mother, Emi, who runs a souvenir store in the small town in Hokkaido, where the Ainu people embrace tourism to keep the culture alive and to create jobs. When Ainu community leader, Debo, brings the community together to revive an ancient Ainu practice, Kanto feels torn between his modern beliefs and his culture.

ANY CRYBABIES AROUND?

AWAKE

HAWAII PREMIERE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 106M

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 119M

DIRECTOR: TAKUMA SATO

DIRECTOR: ATSUHIRO YAMADA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Irresponsible new father Tasuku cannot get his act together, even for the sake of his baby daughter. When he commits a disgraceful act in his small village in northern Japan while portraying a Namahage in an important local New Year's festival, he runs away to Tokyo, leaving his family behind. Will he ever be able to make amends, and finally man up? ANY CRYBABIES AROUND? Is a tender drama about shame, redemption, and adulthood.

Eiichi and Riku are devoted to shogi (Japanese chess). Having grown up together, they both challenged and heightened one another's skills. But as years passed, Riku became impossible to defeat. In response, a disappointed Eiichi attends college ultimately learning the skills of AI programmed shogi. AWAKE documents the lives of two obsessed artists who find themselves in a battle between Eiichi's computer shogi and Riku's natural shogi skill.

BEAUTY WATER

A BELOVED WIFE

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SOUTH KOREA 2020 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 85M

JAPAN 2019 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 117M

DIRECTOR: CHO KYUNG-HUN

DIRECTOR: SHIN ADACHI

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

One night the overweight Yaeji receives an unexpected package containing a sample and video for a mysterious product simply called Beauty Water. After viewing the shocking video, Yaeji is both horrified and enticed. This 'Beauty Water' can seemingly transform anyone into the woman or man of their dreams.

However, nothing is free, and Yaeji is about to learn the true price of beauty...

While married for a decade and parenting their young daughter together, Gota and Chika struggle to fulfill one another's matrimonial wishes. Chika regularly scorns Gota's failed screenwriting career while Gota complains of a sexless marriage. But when presented the opportunity to write a new script, Gota persuades a reluctant Chika into a research trip where he hopes to reignite their relationship. A BELOVED WIFE shares a comical portrait of a marriage in crisis.

18  HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

BOAT PEOPLE

UNITED STATES PREMIERE

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG - FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: ANN HUI

CHINA 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 115M

HONG KONG SAR CHINA 2020 | CANTONESE, ENGLISH, JAPANESE, VIETNAMESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 109M

DIRECTOR: WANG JING

12-NOV 5:00PM | PEARLRIDGE • 12-NOV 8:00PM | PEARLRIDGE

DIRECTOR: ANN HUI

Beijing 2003.Young writer Han Dong has moved to the big city hoping to make it big. But with no formal education, or proper travel permit, he struggles. So when a reporter at Jingcheng Daily takes him on as an intern, he feels his luck is changing. And when he happens upon an illegal scheme to hide positive Hepatitis B blood results he believes he has struck journalistic gold. But all is not what it seems. The true story of how one man altered the fate of 120 million people with his pen.

Shiomi Akutagawa, a Japanese photojournalist, travels to Vietnam to document life under communist rule. Government officials are all too happy to take him on a tour of villages that are clean, happy and healthy. But Shiomi manages to break away from the tour and sets out on his own. He meets a young boy, and a villager's mistress, who become his guide to the real Vietnam. Ann Hui's masterful film examines the plight of the Vietnamese with a touching humanist sentiment.

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | WEST COAST ONLY

DAUGHTERS

DETENTION

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 104M

TAIWAN ROC 2019 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 103M

DIRECTOR: HAJIME TSUDA

DIRECTOR: JOHN HSU

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Best friends Koharu and Ayano live cosmopolitan and youthful lives in Tokyo.

Both women work in fashion and art, spending much of their free time drinking and eating. Their fast-paced, interwoven lives are upended when Ayano becomes pregnant from a one-night stand. DAUGHTERS follows the two young women as they struggle at the prospect of welcoming a child. Ayano fears being a single mother, while Koharu worries about how motherhood will change both of their lives forever...

It is 1962, during the White Terror period of martial law in Taiwan, and something strange is going on in a remote mountainside school. Fang is a troubled twelfth grader who starts a clandestine relationship with the guidance counselor, Zhang, who himself leads a secret study group that reads banned books. One day, Zhang vanishes into thin air, and Fang finds the school gradually slipping out of the world she has been familiar with...

FUKUSHIMA 50

GEORAMA BOY, PANORAMA GIRL

HAWAII PREMIERE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 122M

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 105M

DIRECTOR: SETSURO WAKAMATSU

DIRECTOR: NATSUKI SETA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

In March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake rocked the eastern coast of Japan and caused a mega-tsunami that may have been over 100 feet high. The tsunami struck the seaside Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and caused the most severe nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. FUKUSHIMA 50 is the first Japanese film to directly depict the disaster, and features the fifty brave, selfless individuals who volunteered to stay behind and contain the crisis.

Quirky, bubbly high school student Haruko longs for romance, or even a first kiss.

Shy Kenichi is confused about life, and love, causing him to suddenly drop out of school. When the two collide in a random encounter at a train station, Haruko is sure that it is love at first sight. But the oblivious Kenichi has his sights set elsewhere. Based on the popular manga, GEORAMA BOY PANORAMA GIRL is a charming, offbeat tale of young love, growing up, and the space in between.

HIFF .ORG 19

ASIAN SHOWCASE

GET THE HELL OUT

GONE WITH THE LIGHT

UNITED STATES PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN

SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA

TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 96M

CHINA 2019 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 131M

DIRECTOR: WANG I-FAN

DIRECTOR: DONG RUNNIAN

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

After a mild-mannered security guard's blunder is thrust into the limelight when a blunder costs a young Taiwanese parliamentarian her job, the pair join forces to regain her seat in government against all odds. But after a zombie outbreak flips parliament into total chaos, they must fight their way out to save themselves-and democracy as we know it. Funny, irreverent and oh-so-2020, GET THE HELL OUT isn't the election movie we need right now, but definitely one we deserve.

From director Dong Runnian, and starring Huang Bo, GONE WITH THE LIGHT, is a story of change and profound self-reflection. When a mysterious light appears in a Chinese city causing people to suddenly disappear, a school teacher, a soon to be divorcee and a young girl in love find their lives upended. Beautifully shot with piercing performances and strong dialogue, GONE WITH THE LIGHT is a provocative tale that takes viewers on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of human existence.

HITMAN: AGENT JUN

HOKUSAI

HAWAII PREMIERE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SOUTH KOREA 2019 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 110M

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE | 129M

DIRECTOR: CHOI WON-SUB

DIRECTOR: HAJIME HASHIMOTO

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

10-NOV 5:00 PM | WARD • 10-NOV 8:00 PM | WARD 17-NOV 5:00 PM | OLINO • 17-NOV 8:00 PM | OLINO

Recruited as an orphan to become the top agent of the National Intelligence Service, Jun is presumed killed on a dangerous mission. In truth, Jun deserts the NIS to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming ... a cartoonist. Fifteen years later, in an act of desperation, he drafts a new webtoon based on his secret past.

The cartoon becomes a hit, but it catches the attention of the NIS. HITMAN: AGENT JUN is an action comedy for spy thriller and anime/manga fans alike.

Painter Hokusai Katsushika (The Great Wave off Kanagawa) is one of the greatest Japanese artists of all time. From director Hajime Hashimoto comes a sprawling, lush biopic of the man and the myth. Spread across 3 pivotal periods in the artist's life, HOKUSAI traces Hokusai's (Yuya Yagira) life from his time as a struggling artist through to his elder years. Co-starring Hiroshi Abe as Hokusai's mentor and champion.

I WEIRDO

KEEP ROLLING

HAWAII PREMIERE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG - FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: ANN HUI

TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 102M

HONG KONG SAR CHINA 2020 | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 112M

DIRECTOR: LIAO MING-YI

DIRECTOR: MAN LIM CHUNG

22-NOV 8:00 PM | MILILANI

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Po-ching is isolated by others who perceive him as quirky. But, his social life is actually hindered by his diagnosed OCD. This changes when Po-ching finds Chen Ching who also struggles with human connection because of her OCD. In a world of love, Po-ching and Chen Ching are each other's weirdos. But their love is challenged when Chen Ching no longer has OCD symptoms. Liao Ming-yi's iphone-shot comedy, I WEIRDO examines the mutability of love.

From director Man Lim Chung, comes an intimate portrait of Hong Kong filmmaker, Ann Hui. Over her 40 year career, Hui has overcome great obstacles, faced difficulties head on, and fiercely pressed on to create some of Hong Kong's most seminal films. And she remains one of the only female directors of her generation. Featuring interviews with a who's who of great filmmakers and an up close lens on the director as she promotes her latest film, KEEP ROLLING presents a multi-layered view of a brilliant artist.

20 HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

A LEG

LUCKY CHAN-SIL

UNITED STATES PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

TAIWAN ROC 2020 | MANDARIN CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 115M

SOUTH KOREA 2019 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 95M

DIRECTOR: CHANG YAOSHENG

DIRECTOR: KIM CHO-HEE

22-NOV 5:00 PM | MILILANI

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Taiwanese superstars Gwei Lun-mei and Yo Yang star in the directorial debut of award-winning screenwriter Chang Yao-sheng (A SUN). Gwei and Yang play a couple, who initially meet and fall in love for their mutual obsession with ballroom dancing. Sadly, Yang's character dies in surgery from complications caused by a leg amputation. The film takes a left turn from the expected melodrama as Gwei's character must soon navigate hospital bureaucracy in search for "the leg" to keep her late husband's body intact.

After the sudden death of the director she worked with for many years, 40-something film producer Chan-sil is now unemployed. Jobless, moneyless, and unable to find work in her field, she begins to work as a cleaning lady for her actress friend. By chance, she meets a young man who teaches French to the actress and finds herself unexpectedly attracted to him. But alas her anxieties emerge; her already-gone-youth, lack of love, and broken career... An offbeat, and oddly upbeat dramedy about life's twists and turns.

MEKONG 2030

MIDNIGHT SWAN

HAWAII PREMIERE

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

ASIAN SHOWCASE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

CAMBODIA, LAOS, MYANMAR, THAILAND, VIETNAM 2020 | BURMESE, CAMBODIAN, LAO, THAI, VIETNAMESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 93M

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 124M

DIRECTORS: ANYSAY KEOLA, SAI NAW KHAM, LAN PHAM NGOC, KULIKAR SOTHO, ANOCHA SUWICHAKORNPONG

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam: five countries straddle the mighty Mekong River, and their collective futures will be defined by its preservation.

MEKONG 2030 is an anthology series directed by five talented emerging filmmakers from the region that tells a vital story of struggle, family and justice in one of the world's most threatened natural ecosystems and the communities that depend upon it.

DIRECTOR: EIJI UCHIDA Nagisa doesn't have an easy life, but she gets by working as a showgirl. She is transgender, which in Japan means limited job options. One day she gets a call, explaining that her cousin's child needs a place to stay due to neglect. When teenage Ichika arrives in Tokyo, Nagisa is none too pleased, though she lets her stay. Ichika isn't happy about this either. But when she discovers a local ballet studio, it offers an outlet that may bond the two in unexpected ways.

MOVING ON

MRS. NOISY

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SOUTH KOREA 2019 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 105M

JAPAN 2019 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 107M

DIRECTOR: YOON DAN-BI

DIRECTOR: CHIHIRO AMANO

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

After the divorce of Okju and Dongju's parents, their father decides to move his family in with their grandfather. Their move-in is not just about caring for a feeble man but keeping themselves out of poverty. While Okju and Dongju quarrel over trivial sibling issues, their aunt eventually joins their family after her marriage proves rocky. In a series of delicate family moments, MOVING ON examines a family trying to survive their crumbling relationships.

A novelist Maki Yoshioka (Yukiko Shinohara) has been stuck in a slump. One day, she gets into a disagreement with her neighbor Miwako Wakata (Yoko Ootaka) over the beating of a futon. Maki feels she is being harassed by Miwako increasingly more as the days go. Frustrated, and unable to write she decides to write about "Mrs. Noisy" Miwako in a serial-novel, but this turns out to have unexpected consequences. An offbeat comedy about the deception of appearances.

HIFF .ORG  21

ASIAN SHOWCASE

MY PRINCE EDWARD

THE REAL THING (LIMITED SERIES)

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

HONG KONG SAR CHINA 2019 | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 88M

JAPAN 2019 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 240M

DIRECTOR: NORRIS WONG

DIRECTOR: KOJI FUKADA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

From writer-director Norris Wong, MY PRINCE EDWARD examines a whimsical tale of freedom in marriage and self-governance in geographical residence. Fong works in a retail store selling wedding supplies. But social pressure to marry impedes on her daily life. Fong reacts by redefining the meaning of happiness with wisdom and wit. But while fairytales feed the romantics, anyone would cheer for a woman seeking independence in a new age of Hong Kong cinema.

For the first time, HIFF presents an original episodic series as part of the film festival program. The latest work from Koji Fukada (HARMONIUM, A GIRL MISSING) is a mystery thriller about helplessness and human nature. Tsuji is a good man, but bored with his life. One day he saves the life of a mysterious woman, Ukiyo. Ukiyo is beautiful, but her childlike attitude causes lots of problems for other people including Tsuji. Though he notices her troublesome nature, he unconsciously gets involved with her.

SECRET ZOO

A SIMPLE LIFE

HAWAII PREMIERE

RETURN ENGAGEMENT

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG - FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: ANN HUI

SOUTH KOREA 2019 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 117M

HONG KONG SAR CHINA 2011 | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 118M

DIRECTOR: SON JAE-GON

DIRECTOR: ANN HUI

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Kang Tae-Soo is a temp at JH Law firm who finds himself unexpectedly managing a zoo in debt. When the zoo is forced to sell its animals, new Director Kang comes up with an ingenious plan: have the employees dress up in animal suits instead! After photos of the zoo's polar bear (actually Director Kang), go viral, the zoo begins making money. But with this sudden popularity, how long can Kang and the team keep their scheme under wraps?

Roger (Andy Lau) is a successful movie producer. Ah Tao (Deanie Ip) has worked for Roger's family as a nanny and maid over the course of four generations.

When Roger comes home to find Ah Tao's suffered a severe stroke and is unable to care for herself, he agrees to help her relocate to a nursing home. As their roles reverse, he becomes her caregiver, and comes to understand how much she means to him.

SONG OF THE EXILE

SPRING TIDE

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG - FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: ANN HUI

SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA

HONG KONG SAR CHINA 1990 | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 96M

CHINA 2019 | MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 124M

DIRECTOR: ANN HUI

DIRECTOR: YANG LING

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII ONLY

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

After going to school in London, Cheung Hueyin (Maggie Cheung) returns to Hong Kong for the wedding of her younger sister. It doesn't take long for the young woman to discover the vast gulf now separating her from her mother, Aiko (Lu Shao-fen). In search of answers, Cheung dredges up painful memories of the past that shed light on her mother's resentful behavior. Set in the 1970s, Ann Hui's semi-autobiographical film makes for one of her most endearing and touching films.

SPRING TIDE, from award-winning documentary filmmaker Yang Ling who focuses on fiction in this outing, tells a story of family dysfunction in which a woman must deal with the competing demands of her daughter and mother as they all live together in a small apartment. Among all the emotional scars brought about by an abusive patriarch, and greater risk of all three of them drifting apart, we get a glimpse of reconciliation in this intergenerational household in turmoil.

22  HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

THE SWORDSMAN

THE THERAPIST: FIST OF TAE-BAEK

HAWAII PREMIERE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

SPOTLIGHT ON KOREA

SOUTH KOREA 2020 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 100M

SOUTH KOREA 2020 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 107M

DIRECTOR: CHOI JAE-HOON

DIRECTOR: SAM CHOI

NOV 5 - 15 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Based on the chaotic Ming-Qing transition during early-16th century Korea, the region's greatest swordsman vanishes after failing to protect his king. While returning to the city to purchase some treatment for his looming blindness, the swordsman's daughter is kidnapped by a power-hungry member of the Qing family.

To save his daughter, the swordsman must pick up his sword again and stand up to these foreign aggressors.

There can only be one master of Tae-Baek Kwon. When faced with the battle for the role Jin-Soo leaves instead and heads for the outside world to find his own way. His rival and friend Seong-Jun follows in an effort to bring him back. However, Seong-Jun gets a bit distracted along the way. Winding up married and the owner of a struggling acupressure clinic. However, when the clinic comes under attack, it may help him find himself and the true master of Tae-Baek Kwon.

THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI

UNDER THE OPEN SKY

WORLD PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 114M

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 126M

DIRECTOR: TAKASHI KOIZUMI

DIRECTOR: MIWA NISHIKAWA

6-NOV 5:30 PM | WARD • 6-NOV 8:30 PM | WARD 16-NOV 5:00 PM | OLINO • 16-NOV 8:00 PM | OLINO

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

From director Takashi Koizumi, assistant to the legendary Akira Kurosawa, comes a beautiful samurai film based on a popular novel by Ryotaro Shiba. Starring Koji Yakusho, THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI tells the true story of a samurai who led his country to fight against the new regime with honor and dignity at the end of the Tokugawa era. Shot entirely on lush 35mm film, THE PASS offers a philosophical take on a lost way of life.

From director Miwa Nishikawa, protege of Hirokazu Kore-eda, comes a tale of redemption and reinvention starring Koji Yakusho in the lead. Mikami (Yakusho) is an ex-yakuza who has spent most of his life in prison. Now in later middle-age and facing health issues, he finds himself back in the world without much to offer. Determined to live a 'straight life', he tries to prove that a man can change at any age, making some unlikely friendships along the way.

VOICES IN THE WIND

WITHOUT STRINGS

HAWAII PREMIERE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

SPOTLIGHT ON INDIA

JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 139M

INDIA 2019 | BENGALI WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 94M

DIRECTOR: NOBUHIRO SUWA

DIRECTOR: ATANU GHOSH

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Young Haru has spent years adapting to life with her aunt in Hiroshima. But when her aunt suffers a major stroke, she makes the sudden decision to travel by herself to her hometown in Iwate. A town which was destroyed in the 2011 tsunami, taking her parents and brother with it. Along the way she hears of a special phone box where you can speak to the dead, and suspects this may finally bring her the closure she so desperately needs...

Kajal and Sraboni, two people in their mid thirties, meet at a reality game show audition. Centered around Kajal and Sraboni's fascination with human connection, the two share personal accounts of their lives and experiences.

This sends both on a path to self-discovery and internal reflection as they live different lives than what they have told each other about. Creating raw emotion in the wake of being materially successful, the two try to find true sustenance within their lives.

HIFF .ORG 23

ASIAN SHOWCASE

A WITNESS OUT OF THE BLUE

WOTAKOI: LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN

HONG KONG SAR CHINA 2020 | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 104M

JAPAN 2019 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 114M

DIRECTOR: FUNG CHIH-CHIANG

DIRECTOR: YUICHI FUKADA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

When a robbery suspect is killed in a run down tenement, the most obvious suspect is one of his crime partners. Unfortunately there are no witnesses... well almost. There is the parrot owned by the deceased. Desperate for clues, a down on his luck detective believes this 'witness' may offer the key to the case. And as the lines between good, bad, suspect, and victim become blurred, he just may be right.

If there is one over-the-top musical comedy romance about fandom and otaku culture that you see this year, this is it! Office lady Narumi has a secret love for anime, one that she keeps hidden in her workplace. When her childhood friend Hirotaka appears at her work, she fears her cover is blown, and also that she may be experiencing some unexpected feelings. Thankfully Hirotaka is a fellow otaku, with a passion for gaming. Will these two superfans realize their budding romance?

40 FOR Our stories matter now more than ever.

Help HIFF reach its goal to raise $40,000.

Join us in celebration of 40 years of premiere programming, innovative new media technology, spotlighting local stories, and providing education and industry growth opportunities to Hawaiʻi.

Be a part of the next 40 years of film in Hawaiʻi.

Learn more & donate today at HIFF.ORG/40-for-40

24 HIFF

DOCUMENTARY PANORAMA

FILM PROGRAM

ASSASSINS

BE WATER

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 104M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | CANTONESE, ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 96M

DIRECTOR: RYAN WHITE

DIRECTOR: BAO NGUYEN

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

27-NOV 3:00 PM (OPEN 24HRS) | ONLINE | FREE

In 2017, the half-brother of Kim Jong-un was assassinated in Malaysia's international airport. Kim Jong-nam's murder occured in broad daylight. It was further illuminated by airport security cameras that caught two women committing the crime. But the truth is muddled by the women who confessed that they were hired to pull a prank.

ASSASSINS is a wildly improbably tale of one murder, a public audience seeking truth, and two women fighting for their lives.

BE WATER is an honest feature-length documentary on the life and legacy of the legendary Bruce Lee. BE WATER premiered at Sundance 2020 and competed in the U.S. Dramatic Feature competition. In June, it had its U.S. broadcast debut on ESPN as part of the sports broadcaster's 30 on 30 documentary series, breaking ratings records. It is an official selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes Classics section.

BELLY OF THE BEAST

THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 81M DIRECTOR: ERIKA COHN

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE Recent reports of forced sterilizations of detained women in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities may seem like news to many of us, but it is actually the latest manifestation of a dark, century-long history of a pseudoscience known as eugenics in the United States. BELLY OF THE BEAST is a revealing documentary filmed over seven years covering the struggle of former inmate Kelli Dillon and activist attorney Cynthia Chandler as they fight against forced, illegal sterilization of incarcerated women.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION UNITED STATES 2015 | ENGLISH | 115M DIRECTOR: STANLEY NELSON

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE Award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson (FREEDOM RIDERS, THE MURDER OF EMMETT TILL) examines the rise of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and its impact on civil rights and American culture. The first feature-length documentary to explore the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its cultural and political awakening for black people, and the painful lessons wrought when a movement derails. What parallels do we see between the Black Panthers and current social justice movements?

FROM HERE

GUNDA

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 89M

HAWAII PREMIERE NORWAY, UNITED STATES 2020 | NO DIALOGUE | 93M

DIRECTOR: CHRISTINA ANTONAKOS-WALLACE

DIRECTOR: VIKTOR KOSAKOVSKIY

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

6-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS)| ONLINE 17-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS)| ONLINE

Germany and the United States are two of the largest immigration countries in the world. And yet, as of late, there have been growing anti-immigrant sentiments in both countries, as people argue about who gets to belong and on what grounds. Filmed over a decade, FROM HERE is a hopeful story of four artists and activists from the two countries as they fight their struggles and demonstrate their individual and collective power.

Where his prior film, AQUARELA was a reminder of the fragility of human tenure on earth, in GUNDA, Viktor Kossakovsky reminds us that we share our planet with billions of other animals. Through encounters with a mother sow (the eponymous Gunda), two ingenious cows, and a scene-stealing, one-legged chicken, Kossakovsky movingly re-calibrates our moral universe, reminding us of the inherent value of life and the mystery of all animal consciousness, including our own.

HIFF .ORG  25

DOCUMENTARY PANORAMA

INTO THE STORM

RADIO SILENCE

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM 2020 | ENGLISH, SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 84M

HAWAII PREMIERE MEXICO, SWITZERLAND 2019 | SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 78M

DIRECTOR: ADAM BROWN

DIRECTOR: JULIANA FANJUL

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII ONLY

Jhonny Guerrero, a boy from a tough barrio in Lima, Peru, started with only a broken, discarded surfboard, and raw talent at surfing. At 14 years old, he was discovered by world surfing champion Sofía Mulánovich, who started training him to be a professional surfer. He soon realizes, however, that his bright new future might be at odds with the family and community he loves.

Mexico, March 2015. Carmen Aristegui, incorruptible journalist, is fired from the radio station where she has worked for years. But Carmen continues her fight: raising awareness and fighting against misinformation. The film tells the story of this quest: difficult and dangerous, but essential to the heath of democracy. A story in which resistance becomes a form of survival.

RESISTANCE FIGHTERS - THE GLOBAL ANTIBIOTICS CRISIS

STRAY

HAWAII PREMIERE GERMANY 2019 | ENGLISH, GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 99M DIRECTOR: MICHAEL WECH

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE Multi-resistant bacteria are microbes that cannot be destroyed by an antibiotic.

Each year, 700,000 people worldwide are killed by multi-resistant bacteria.

Studies show that the death toll could rise by a factor of ten until 2050 resulting in 50 million possible deaths. This documentary film records the negligence, greed, and short-sightedness that have rendered antibiotics as powerless. Part science-fiction thriller, part human drama highlighting the desperate search for a solution.

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | TURKISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 73M DIRECTOR: ELIZABETH LO

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE The world of three stray dogs commingling among the inhabitants of the sprawling city of Istanbul is the subject of Elizabeth Lo's beguiling documentary feature debut. The viewer is thrust into their world as they wander the busy thoroughfares and city streets of Istanbul subsisting on scraps of food and finding temporary shelter and companionship. With an expressive musical score by Ali Helnwein, this stunning, observational, and immersive film creates a dynamic portrait of a country in turmoil.

SUMODO-SUCCESSORS OF SAMURAI

WEED & WINE

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE JAPAN 2020 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 104M DIRECTOR: EIJI SAKATA

HAWAII PREMIERE FRANCE, UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 89M

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

DIRECTOR: REBECCA RICHMAN COHEN

The ancient and very secretive world of Japanese sumo wrestling is uncovered for the very first time! The filmmakers emphasize the arduous journey in attaining one of the high ranks--and most importantly--the lives of two aspiring sumo wrestlers facing many challenges. Director Eiji Sakata brings out their humanity, revealing these stellar athletes in their intense training and regiment, including all their fears, hopes and, sometimes, joy, which also includes the always doting, but perhaps more resilient and diminutive wives who support their hulking life partners.

In Southern Rhone, a French matriarch and her son tend a centuries-old biodynamic vineyard. Across the ocean in Humboldt, California, a father and his son manage a state-recognized, organic cannabis farm. While continents away from one another, these two families aim to reinvent themselves with their fruitful land. WEED & WINE is presented by documentarian Rebecca Richman Cohen who interweaves two families' lives, drawing comparisons and highlighting farming traditions.

26  HIFF

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII ONLY

FILM FOR THOUGHT

Film For Thought is a special program presented in partnership with the Hawai’i Council for the Humanities designed to inspire critical discourse and community dialogue through the medium of film.

Films will have scholar-led conversations with directors scheduled throughout the festival, as well as a companion booklet containing essays on all five films available for download at HIFF.ORG.

FILM PROGRAM

CANE FIRE HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 90M DIRECTOR: ANTHONY BANUA-SIMON

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE 14-NOV 7:00 PM | VARSITY DRIVE IN While utilizing footage of Hollywood films set in Hawaii and various corporate commercials that paint the islands as paradise, CANE FIRE examines years of economic and social exploitation of the Hawaiian culture, people, and their land. The documentary follows various perspectives of the residents on Kauai to shine a light on the indigenous working-class people who resist the forces of large corporations that cast them as "extras" in their own story.

See HIFF.ORG for a schedule of Talks & to read Essays.

DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL

LANDFALL

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, CANTONESE, MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 83M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 91M

DIRECTOR: URSULA LIANG

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII ONLY When two peoples of color are pitted against each other in the gruesome coliseum that is the uneven criminal justice system of the United States, who wins? In 2014, Chinese American police officer Peter Liang killed Akai Gurley, an innocent, unarmed black man in an unlit stairwell of a New York City housing project. This heart-wrenching documentary directed by Ursula Liang is all the more important and relevant to watch today, as we reflect on how black lives matter.

DIRECTOR: CECILIA ALDARONDO This visually striking, kaleidoscopic portrait of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria criss-crosses the island to document the resilience of a community banding together to rebuild. A compassionate and stirring cinematic essay, LANDFALL examines the dual environmental and economic crises of not only a natural disaster, but the disaster of American colonialism and its economic legacies.

LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM

THROUGH THE NIGHT

HAWAII PREMIERE BHUTAN 2019 | DZONGKHA WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 109M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 72M

DIRECTOR: PAWO CHOYNING DORJI

DIRECTOR: LOIRA LIMBAL

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII ONLY

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Musician Ugyen struggles to excel in his teaching career, despite having one of Bhutan's more coveted jobs. He is in fact so unmotivated, that his superiors decide to give him a special position - teach at the country's most remote school for a year. When Ugyen arrives in Lunana, he can hardly believe his bad luck landing in such a backwater. However, the charm of the village, its people, and the majestic Himalayas, may just win him over after all.

To make ends meet, people in the U.S. are working longer hours across multiple jobs. This modern reality of non-stop work has resulted in an unexpected phenomenon: the flourishing of 24-hour daycare centers. Interweaving the lives of two working mothers and a childcare provider, THROUGH THE NIGHT speaks to the heartbreaking realities that face working families, and the acts of everyday kindness and generosity that bring us together.

HIFF .ORG 27

MADE IN HAWAI‘I

ALOHA SURF HOTEL WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 94M DIRECTOR: STEFAN SCHAEFER

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE 20-NOV 5:30 PM | MILILANI • 20-NOV 8:00 PM | MILILANI HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO)

HULI: KOKUA HAWAII AND THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT IN CONTEMPORARY HAWAI'I WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 131M DIRECTOR: GARY PAK

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

Tai Alonzo was a legendary surfer with big things ahead of him, but years later, he's divorced, living in his van, his pro surfing days long behind him. When he is forced to take a job at a family-owned Hawaiian beachfront hotel, he not only becomes the surf instructor, but also the tennis pro, the yoga instructor, the handyman... he might even be key to saving ALOHA SURF HOTEL.

Legendary Native Hawaiian activist and political scientist Haunani-Kay Trask traces the beginnings of the Modern Hawaiian Movement back to Kokua Hawaiʻi, a community-based organization that first mobilized to protect local and Native Hawaiian residents of Kalama Valley in Oʻahu from overdevelopment back in the 1970s. In this insightful and mind-provoking documentary, former members recount what happened to them during that tumultuous time, and reveal to us why learning their histories remains vitally important today.

KA HUAKA‘I: THE JOURNEY TO MERRIE MONARCH

STORY GAME

FESTIVAL PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 46M

HAWAII PREMIERE JAPAN, UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 97M

DIRECTOR: GERARD ELMORE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE 29-NOV 2:30 PM | WARD This documentary revolves around three hālau hula (school of hula) as they prepare for their huaka‘i (journey) to the Merrie Monarch Festival, an annual cultural festival that has long been considered as the Olympics of hula. As we missed this year's festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this film encapsulates what we hope to look forward to once more in the future. This will truly be a bittersweet viewing experience for many of us here.

DIRECTOR: JASON LAU

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE 15-NOV 5:00 PM | OLINO • 15-NOV 8:00 PM | OLINO HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO) Three students on spring break arrive on a remote beach to go camping.

Accompanied by an odd park ranger, lured to join with free beer and in true campfire story fashion, they all make a bet to tell the scariest story. These three scary stories are infused with some Pan-Pacific flavor, base don well-known Japanese horror tales. Shot in both Hawai'i and Japan, STORY GAME follows the tradition of other horror anthology works like CREEPSHOW and ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, and shot on Oahu, as well as Tokyo.

CROSS-LISTED TITLES WATER LIKE FIRE WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 88M DIRECTOR: MITCHEL VIERNES

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE 29-NOV 5:00 PM | WARD • 29-NOV 8:00 PM | WARD 15-NOV 7:00 PM | VARSITY DRIVE-IN While Chanel is grieving her parent's death, she struggles to connect with her drug-addicted brother, Caleb. Despite this, she finds solace in surfing and her friendships. But after Caleb is injured in a hit-and-run accident, the siblings must struggle to find happiness once again. WATER LIKE FIRE is a reflection on courageous spirits that walk through fire and still find peace on the other side.

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CANE FIRE

WAIKIKI

HAWAII PREMIERE

HAWAII PREMIERE

DIRECTOR: ANTHONY BANUA-SIMON

DIRECTOR: CHRIS KAHUNAHANA

See Page 27 for film details.

See Page 17 for film details.

MADE IN HAWAI‘I - VISIONS OF HŌKŪLE‘A

FILM PROGRAM

HE WA’A, HE HONUA

HŌKŪLE‘A: THE PROUD VOYAGE HOME

SPECIAL PRESENTATION UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 58M

SPECIAL PRESENTATION UNITED STATES 1987 | ENGLISH | 52M

DIRECTOR: VARIOUS

DIRECTOR: ELISA YADAO

NOV 16-29 | ONLINE | FREE

NOV 16-29 | ONLINE | FREE

A one-hour program that pays tribute to the sweeping cultural renaissance that began in the 1970s and will continue with the environmental revitalization lead by Hōkūle‘a and her upcoming 44-month circumnavigation of the Pacific. Archival footage from many of Hōkūle‘a's well-documented voyages, interspersed with commentary from past, present and future leaders, will reacquaint viewers with the efforts to reclaim language, land, voyaging and other cultural practices and invite them to join Hōkūle‘a in the next renaissance – that of Island Earth.

This one hour program reviews the 2-year, 16,000 mile journey of the Polynesian Voyaging Society's double-hulled canoe Hōkūle‘a as it retraced the major migratory routes of the ancient Polynesians. The canoe and her crew visited Tonga, Sāmoa, Tahiti and New Zealand, and navigation was done without instruments. Elisa Yadao and Cliff Watson of KGMB cover the story of the nearly month long 2,800 mile sail back to Hawaii, and a look back at the voyage of rediscovery.

HŌKŪLE‘A: RETURN TO TAHITI

MOANANUIAKEA: ONE OCEAN, ONE PEOPLE, ONE CANOE

SPECIAL PRESENTATION UNITED STATES 1980 | ENGLISH | 25M DIRECTOR: DON KOZONO

NOV 16-29 | ONLINE | FREE This is the story of the final days of the Hōkūle‘a's voyage on its arrival to Tahiti in March 1980 after 32 days at sea. Photographed by Don Kozono and reported by news reporter Bart Fredo for KGMB News. This is program is part of the series called He Wa‘a He Honua -- The Earth is Our Canoe, that pays tribute to the sweeping cultural renaissance that began in the 1970s and will continue with the environmental revitalization lead by Hokule’a and her upcoming 44-month circumnavigation of the Pacific (the Pacific Sail).

RETURN ENGAGEMENT UNITED STATES 2018 | ENGLISH | 130M DIRECTOR: NA'ALEHU ANTHONY

NOV 16-29 | ONLINE | FREE MOANANUIĀKEA: ONE OCEAN. ONE PEOPLE. ONE CANOE. celebrates the historic Worldwide Voyage that connected countless individuals and communities from around the globe. A voyage that also represented the fulfillment of the vision of Nainoa Thompson and his contemporaries, the passing of the mantle to the next generation of kānaka maoli who will retain the skills of their ancestors and perpetuate this tradition for generations to come.

HŌKŪLE‘A, STAR OF GLADNESS SPECIAL PRESENTATION UNITED STATES 1975 | ENGLISH | 28M DIRECTOR: TIP DAVIS

NOV 16-29 | ONLINE | FREE Film transfer of "Hōkūle‘a, Star of Gladness," directed by Tip Davis in 1975. This documentary covers the birth of Hōkūle‘a; from the wa‘a (canoe) being built to its first launch at Hakipu‘u/Kualoa across the archipelago. Features Herb Kane, Ben Finney, and other Polynesian Voyaging Society members; Sam Ka‘ai.

HIFF .ORG 29

NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES

76 DAYS

DEATH OF NINTENDO

HAWAII PREMIERE CHINA 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 93M DIRECTOR: ANONYMOUS, WEIXI CHEN, HAO WU

HAWAII PREMIERE PHILIPPINES, UNITED STATES 2020 | TAGALOG WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 99M

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

DIRECTOR: RAYA MARTIN

On January 23rd, 2020, China locked down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, to combat the emerging COVID-19 outbreak. Set deep inside the frontlines of the crisis, 76 DAYS tells indelible human stories at the center of this pandemic. It bears witness to the death and rebirth of a city under a 76-day lockdown, and to the human resilience that persists in times of profound tragedy.

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

FIRST VOTE

MOGUL MOWGLI

RETURN ENGAGEMENT UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 58M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM 2020 | ENGLISH | 90M

DIRECTOR: YI CHEN

DIRECTOR: BASSAM TARIQ

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

FIRST VOTE is a rare look at Asian American passions on both sides of the political divide in Ohio and North Carolina. Lance Chen is a Chinese immigrant and professor who became a citizen in 2016 specifically to vote Republican. Sue Googe, made an unsuccessful Tea Party bid for a congressional. Kaiser Kuo is a musician and former Baidu executive - but he's also an avid Democratic activist. Jennifer Ho is a professor who brings deep understandings of racism to her teaching.

Up-and-coming British Pakistani rapper Zed (Riz Ahmed) has finally gotten his big break, landing a gig as the opening act for a major star. However, after arriving home in his native London to see family, strange things begin to happen.

What begins as a weird inability to move his leg, quickly spirals into an illness that threatens to derail his career plans, and change his life in unexpected ways.

SHADOW IN THE CLOUD HAWAII PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | ENGLISH | 83M DIRECTOR: ROSEANNE LIANG

7-NOV 8:00PM | WARD 14-NOV 2:00PM | PEARLRIDGE HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO) On a stormy night during World War II, a female pilot (Chloë Grace Moretz in true badass form) with top secret cargo talks her way on board a bomber plane about to take-off. The crass all-male crew reluctantly agrees, but their suspicions about her identity and the mysterious cargo quickly grow. Just then a shadow appears in the clouds — was it the incoming Japanese fleet? Or caused by some other sinister stowaway? Inspired by THE TWILIGHT ZONE to AMAZING STORIES, SHADOW IN THE CLOUD is a kick-ass genre film with a powerful feminist message.

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Despite an impending volcanic eruption, young Paolo's mind is worried about other things, such as video games, basketball, and hanging out with his friends. However, when he develops a crush with heartthrob Shiara, he realizes all that is just child's play. He has to level up and prove that he is a real man in this charming, coming-ofage homage to growing up in the Philippines in the early 1990s.

PACIFIC SHOWCASE

FILM PROGRAM

BABY DONE

THE HEALER AND THE PSYCHIATRIST

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | ENGLISH | 91M

HAWAII PREMIERE TONGA, UNITED KINGDOM 2019 | ENGLISH, TONGAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 74M

DIRECTOR: CURTIS VOWELL

18-NOV 5:30 PM | OLINO • 18-NOV 8:00 PM | OLINO HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO)

DIRECTOR: MIKE POLTORAK

Executive produced by Taika Waititi (JOJO RABBIT, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE), this Kiwi-infused amalgam of SHE'S HAVING A BABY and GIRLS stars comedienne Rose Matafeo (THE BREAKER UPPERS). Wannabe-adventurer and free spirit Zoe freaks out when she falls pregnant to her long-term boyfriend Tim. As Tim embraces the prospect of fatherhood, Zoe attempts to rush through her dreams. BABY DONE is a semi-autobiographical story inspired by their own reaction to starting a family.

In the South Pacific Island group of Vava'u, the traditional healer Emeline Lolohea treats people affected by spirits. One day away by ferry, the only Tongan Psychiatrist, Dr. Mapa Puloka, has established a public psychiatry well known across the region. Though they have never met in person, this film creates a dialogue between them on the nature of mental illness and spiritual affliction.

Their discussion offers challenges and opportunities to help address the growing global mental health crisis.

LOIMATA, THE SWEETEST TEARS

MAURI

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | ENGLISH, SAMOAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 94M

SPECIAL PRESENTATION NEW ZEALAND 1988 | ENGLISH, MAORI WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 90M

DIRECTOR: ANNA MARBROOK

DIRECTOR: MERATA MITA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

While confronting intergenerational trauma, Ema Siope battles a terminal illness. LOIMATA, THE SWEETEST TEARS follows the final years of the waka builder and captain, Ema who attempts to spiritually heal her family and herself.

Known as the woman who possesses the strength of three men, Siope gathers her family from New Zealand to journey to her mother's birthplace in Samoa.

Their journey through memories, spirituality, healing, and voyaging culminates in Loimata where Ema seeks redemption.

When she made MAURI, Merata Mita became the first Māori woman to write and direct a dramatic feature. "Mauri, "meaning life force, is loosely set around a love triangle and explores cultural tensions, identity, and changing ways of life in a dwindling village on the east coast of Aotearoa. MAURI played a key role in the burgeoning Māori film industry, opening the doors for the likes of Taika Waititi, Cliff Curtis, Rena Owen and Lee Tamahori to burst onto the scene years later.

ONE WORD

TUPAIA'S ENDEAVOUR

HAWAII PREMIERE GERMANY 2020 | ENGLISH | 83M DIRECTOR: VIVIANA URIONA

UNITED STATES PREMIERE FRENCH POLYNESIA, NEW ZEALAND 2019 | ENGLISH, FRENCH, MAORI, TAHITIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 119M

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

DIRECTOR: LALA ROLLS

Because of the Marshall Islands' unique geography, this island nation has been especially impacted by sea level rise as a result of human-induced climate change. And yet, its people are not without hope. ONE WORD is a unique participatory documentary told through the voices and words of the Marshallese people and their friends and allies. They say: "This is what we are doing to fight climate change. What are you doing to help? Will you join us?"

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE Lala Rolls' fascinating quest to examine what happens to a Tahitian high priest and navigator when he travels across the Pacific - and further on towards England as a translator and guest (or is it as a living trophy?) - aboard Captain James Cook's HMS Endeavour. The story of the Tahitian who ensured the success of James Cook's voyage to New Zealand in 1769. TUPAIA'S ENDEAVOUR addresses the pain left in Cook's wake and makes startling new discoveries that re-write history.

HIFF .ORG 31

PANORAMA

AMMONITE

DEFINITION PLEASE

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM 2020 | ENGLISH | 117M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 91M

DIRECTOR: FRANCIS LEE

DIRECTOR: SUJATA DAY

9-NOV 5:00 PM | WARD • 9-NOV 8:00 PM | WARD

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII ONLY

In 1800s England, acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) works alone on the rugged Southern coastline. With the days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists. When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan), she cannot afford to turn his offer down. Despite the distance between their social class, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship.

Young Monica Chowdry was an Indian parent's paragon of a child: beautiful, smart, artistic, and a Scripps Spelling Bee champion. Now that she has grown up, however, the future seems tenebrous: she is still single, lives at home, and works part-time as a spelling tutor. When her estranged brother suddenly shows up, she wonders how much more abstruse life can be, when all she is asking for is some DEFINITION PLEASE.

THE GIRL WHO LEFT HOME

I'M YOUR WOMAN

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 100M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 120M

DIRECTOR: MALLORIE ORTEGA

DIRECTOR: JULIA HART

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

19-NOV 5:00 PM | MILILANI • 19-NOV 8:00 PM | MILILANI HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO)

At the height of Christine's career, she learns the unbearable news that her father has passed away after months of silence between them. Upon returning home, Christine undertakes the burdens of the family's failing restaurant and attempts to contend with her past choices. THE GIRL WHO LEFT HOME is a liveaction musical that paints a colorful portrait of a working-class Asian-American family and a girl who must choose between her home and her career.

Suburban housewife Jean (Rachel Brosnahan, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL) lives a seemingly easy life, supported by husband Eddie's (Bill Heck) career as a thief. But when Eddie betrays his partners, Jean and her baby are forced to go on the run, and Eddie's old friend Cal (Arinzé Kene) is tasked with the job of keeping them safe. After Cal mysteriously disappears, Jean befriends Teri (Marsha Stephanie Blake), and the two women set out on a perilous journey into the heart of Eddie's criminal underworld.

THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS

LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 85M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 108M

DIRECTOR: ROBERT MACHOIAN

DIRECTOR: PATRICIO GINELSA

8-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS) | ONLINE 20-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS) | ONLINE

7-NOV 3:00 PM (WATCH PARTY) | NOV 16 - 29 | ONLINE 13-NOV 5:30 PM | PEARLRIDGE • 13-NOV 8:30 PM | PEARLRIDGE HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO)

THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS is a riveting and restrained autopsy of a marriage in free fall. David and Nikki have already separated, with David returning to his parent's home. They both agree to see other people but David struggles to grapple with his wife's new relationship. Led by Clayne Crawford, who turns in a layered performance that hides violent fury, unbearable pain and deep love, THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS is a deliberately paced, slow burn of a film that takes some very unexpected turns.

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17 years after the events of the first Lumpia movie, the characters of the cult classic are back for some more butt-kicking, arnis-wielding, and of course, lumpia-eating. Although they are back with a bigger, crowdfunded budget, the cheesy, campy "home movie" feel still sticks like lumpia grease on your hands.

This time, the LUMPIA-armed avenger reappears in Fogtown and teams up with high school student Rachel to prevent a crime syndicate from selling drugs masked as... lumpia???

FILM PROGRAM

MY DONKEY, MY LOVER & I

NEW ORDER

HAWAII PREMIERE FRANCE 2020 | FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 97M

HAWAII PREMIERE FRANCE, MEXICO 2020 | SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 88M

DIRECTOR: CAROLINE VIGNAL

DIRECTOR: MICHEL FRANCO

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE Antoinette, a school teacher, is looking forward to her long planned summer holidays with her secret lover Vladimir, who is the father of one of her students. When she learns that Vladimir cannot come because his wife organized a surprise trekking in the Cévennes National Park with their daughter and a donkey to carry their load, Antoinette decides to follow their track, by herself, with her own stubborn donkey.

What could possibly go wrong?

14-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS) | ONLINE 25-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS) | ONLINE Set in a near-future Mexico City while protests rage, NEW ORDER focuses on a high society family preparing for a wedding when a former employee seeking emergency medical funds intrudes on the festivities. But soon the party is unable to keep the reckoning at bay, followed by a swift disintegration of law and order defined first by class lines. This compelling dystopian social thriller from AFTER LUCIA director Michel Franco, the film won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the recently concluded Venice Film Festival.

NIGHT OF THE KINGS

THE PAPER TIGERS

HAWAII PREMIERE CANADA, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, FRANCE, SENEGAL 2020 | DYULA, FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 93M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 108M

DIRECTOR: PHILLIPE LACÔTE

NOV 5 - 29 (OPENS 6PM ON NOV 5TH) | ONLINE HIFF DRIVE-IN (SEE HIFF.ORG FOR INFO)

13-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS) | ONLINE 21-NOV 7:00 PM (OPEN 4HRS) | ONLINE A young man is sent to "La Maca," a prison off the Ivory Coast and deep in a remote jungle, ruled by its inmates. As tradition goes with the rising of the red moon, he is designated by the Boss to be the new "Roman" and must tell a story to the other prisoners. Learning what fate awaits him, he begins to narrate the mystical life of the legendary outlaw named "Zama King" and has no choice but to make his story last until dawn.

DIRECTOR: BAO TRAN

Three former Kung Fu prodigies known as The Three Tigers have grown old and apart, and lost their fighting abilities. But after the suspicious death of their master, the three reunite to investigate. First step: challenging a group of young Kung Fu practitioners. Yet soon the trio learn that their true foe may actually be a secret protege of their former master...

PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN

SOUND OF METAL

HAWAII PREMIERE CANADA 2020 | ENGLISH | 95M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 130M

DIRECTOR: STEVEN KOSTANSKI

DIRECTOR: DARIUS MARDER

14-NOV 5:00 PM | PEARLRIDGE • 14-NOV 8:00 PM | PEARLRIDGE

11/15 7:00PM - 11/16 7:00PM | ONLINE 11/22 7:00PM - 11/23 7:00PM | ONLINE

Siblings Mimi and Luke unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord. Using a magical amulet, they force the monster to obey their childish whims, and accidentally attract a rogues' gallery of intergalactic assassins to small-town suburbia. Put a dash of MONSTER SQUAD, some MATILDA and a hint of GUYVER and a whole bunch of Gwar into a blender and you will get the overdosed E.T. on creatine and 'roids power shake that is PSYCHO GOREMAN!

A heavy-metal drummer's life is thrown into freefall when he begins to lose his hearing. A former drug addict, he is sober for four years. His sponsor makes him go meet Joe (Paul Raci), who leads a deaf community. With the help from them, Ruben struggles to accept his situation. Starring Olivia Cooke and Riz Ahmed (also star and co-writer of MOGUL MOWGLI, which is also playing at the Festival), who turns in another stellar performance for an already stacked filmography.

HIFF .ORG 33

PANORAMA

SUMMER OF 85

TWO OF US

HAWAII PREMIERE FRANCE 2020 | FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 100M

HAWAII PREMIERE FRANCE 2019 | FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 95M

DIRECTOR: FRANCOIS OZON

DIRECTOR: FILIPPO MENEGHETTI

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

When 16-year-old Alexis capsizes off the coast of Normandy, 18-year-old David heroically saves him. Alexis has just met the friend of his dreams. But will the dream last for more than one summer? SUMMER OF 85, by the prestigious and prolific director François Ozon, is a passionate drama with a nostalgic breeze that captures the era and a sexy throwback to films like THE SUMMER OF '42 and Ozon's own SWIMMING POOL.

Nina and Madeleine, two retired women, have been secretly in love for decades.

From everybody's point of view, including Madeleine's family, they are simply neighbors living on the top floor of their building. They come and go between their two apartments, sharing the tender delights of everyday life together. Until the day their relationship is turned upside down by an unexpected event leading Madeleine's daughter to slowly unveil the truth about them.

UNDINE HAWAII PREMIERE GERMANY 2020 | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 90M DIRECTOR: CHRISTIAN PETZOLD

15-NOV 2:00 PM | OLINO The latest from Christian Petzold (TRANSIT), UNDINE is a modern day fairy tale that weaves together human drama with just the right amount of magical realism. The mysterious Undine, tells her boyfriend that he simply cannot leave her. As she has explained, if he does, he must die, it is the rule. Unphased by this threat, he leaves. Whilst a fit of despair she meets a new man. Perhaps the man of her dreams. But will her unfinished business come back to haunt them?

HIFF40 FOR 40 FUNDRAISER GIVEAWAY!

In 2020, HIFF is Bringing Hawai’i to You. As Hawai’i reopens safely, HIFF is doing our part to bring YOU to Hawai’i and support arts and culture throughout our islands. Enter our HIFF40 for 40 Fundraiser Giveaway to win a VIP trip to HIFF 2021 that includes 120,000 Hawaiian Airlines Miles, a two night suite stay at the premier Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki, and a VIP pass to HIFF’s 41st Annual Hawai’i International Film Festival in November 2021.

34 HIFF

TO ENTER: Consider a donation of at least $25 which is good for one entry.

Higher donations will entitle you to more entries! OR look for our HIFF 40 for 40 Fundraiser Giveaway post on our Instagram account (@HIFFHawaii), follow @HIFFHawaii, @HalekulaniHotel, and @HawaiianAirlines and tag THREE friends who you would bring to HIFF in the comments to receive one FREE entry.

FILM PROGRAM

HIFF40 FOR 40 FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE We need your help to meet our goal and continue to serve these important film-arts missions in Hawai‘i. Donate today and help HIFF’s important mission.

GOAL RAISE $40,000 BY THE END OF HIFF40 (NOVEMBER 29TH, 2020)

YOUR SUPPORT REALLY MATTERS TO US 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone in our community. We are working hard to continue to pivot with these trying times, learning how to bring films to your home and finding new partnerships, which help one another.

Your donation will directly go towards new and innovative media technologies, COVID-19 preparations and tools to help us continue to bring relevant film-arts to the Hawaiian community, at home and abroad.

HIFF MATTERS TO HAWAI‘I HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL This year, in its 40th edition, HIFF will present over 170 films from 25 countries. HIFF is one of the premiere film festivals in the United States and the only festival spread across an archipelago.

HIFF is steadfast in our commitment to celebrating the work of emerging filmmakers and artists from across the world and here at home. In partnership with the Vilcek Foundation, we celebrate the work of immigrant filmmakers and artists in building the cultural landscape of the United States through our New American Perspectives program.

GO TO HIFF.ORG/40-FOR-40/ TO DONATE TODAY! MAHALO FOR YOUR DONATION AND SUPPORT

ANG LEE DIRECTOR "The Hawai‘i International Film Festival is a wonderful cultural exchange in a setting of beautifully warm and inviting hospitality. It's particularly special to me because of its focus on discovering bright, young, Asian filmmakers, and outstanding Asian films from the Pacific Rim."

DANIEL DAE KIM ACTOR "If you’re a fan of international cinema the way I am, please consider supporting HIFF 40 for 40. HIFF is the only film festival in the U.S.with a specific focus on Asia-Pacific Rim cinema. With your help, we can keep great entertainment and thoughtful storytelling here in Hawai‘i for the next 40 years, and beyond."

Our program remains the premier destination for Asian-Pacific filmmaking, exhibiting the work of local filmmakers in our Made in Hawai’i and Pacific Showcase.

YEAR ROUND PROGRAMMING HIFF has long been dedicated to the promotion, education and sustainability of the local film and cinema arts industry in Hawai‘i. This year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we established various online and on-demand programs which bring the latest international films and film festival content to your home.

As a HIFF donor, you allow us to continue to innovate in order to keep up with the global film industry in finding new ways to showcase the best of independent and international cinema, as well as maintain film-arts appreciation for local audiences.

FILM EDUCATION We are very proud of our film education programs, which impact thousands of students throughout the school year. HIFF Education programs emphasize media literacy, authentic representation, new media technologies, and quality storytelling. Nearly 2,000 students participate in these programs each year.

As a HIFF donor, you can help introduce local students to the world of media. Our extensive education programs are in partnership with the University of Hawaii Academy of Creative Media and Daniel K. Inouye Institute.

HAWAIIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDS FILMMAKERS

DONATE $4 OR $400.

Any amount helps.

HIFF is 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.

Our program remains the premier destination for Asian-Pacific filmmaking, exhibiting the work of local filmmakers in our Made in Hawai’i and Pacific Showcase.

As a HIFF donor, you help support the foundation of filmmaking and cinema exhibition in Hawai‘i.

HIFF .ORG 35

ACM UHM SHOWCASE

AVAILABLE NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE A selection of the best new short films from students at the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

BROWN BODIES IN A FAR SEA

IKAIKA

MIDNIGHT SHOWING

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 8M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 9M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 10M

DIRECTOR: JOSHUA CO

DIRECTOR: JOSHUA CO

DIRECTOR: GAVIN ARUCAN

After hearing about an incoming hurricane, a young girl makes preparations to defend her home.

Ikaika, a middle school kid, works towards a better understanding of who he is as he world begins to fall apart.

MIDNIGHT SHOWING is a wacky animated horror film following Angel, an utterly exhausted movie theatre usher, on the most frightening closing shift of his life.

THE PĀKALĀ KIDS

PUA KA UAHI

PUA WARRIORS

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 5M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | HAWAIIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 7M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 8M

DIRECTOR: GAVIN ARUCAN On the run from their home in the rustic, old plantation town of Pākalā Village, Kaua‘i, two best friends, Lani and Dixie, embark on a journey up Waimea Canyon.

DIRECTOR: KALILINOE DETWILER Pua ka uahi is a wonder-filled Indigenous animation following the challenge between Pele, a hot-tempered volcano goddess, and Kamapua‘a, a shapeshifting trickster, as they race from Puna to Hilo.

DIRECTOR: SOPHIA WHALEN Pua Warriors is an animated action film about magical girls Leilani, Ayaka, and Jasmine who need to prevent a sludge monster from destroying their hometown on Hawaii island.

SU LECHUCITA

WALLS

WELCOME TO THE LANES

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, SPANISH | 4M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 13M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 9M

DIRECTOR: MOLLY TAPKEN

DIRECTOR: JUSTIN KIMATA

DIRECTOR: BRIANA SMITH

Based of Mexican folklore "La Lechuza." A mother who can transform into a barn owl takes care of her young son when he transforms for the first time, preparing him for his first flight.

Walls is a short drama about a teenage boy named David who is afraid of being transparent. When David's best friend, Johnathan, notices his abuse at home, David must overcome his fear of rejection.

In a once small, now gentrified and touristy town in Hawai'i, a woman named Rosemarie runs a program for special needs young adults at the oldest and only bowling alley in the area: Pali Lanes.

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SHORTS

FILM PROGRAM

SHORTS PROGRAM: A BETTER LIFE

SHORTS PROGRAM: DARK WAVE

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE

A program of short films featuring tales of migration and the things we do for a better life.

A program of daring genre shorts, perfect for a late night at home.

Grab the popcorn, and watch at your own risk…

CALL CENTER BLUES

COVER/AGE

ANT

DESEX

HAWAII PREMIERE MEXICO, UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 25M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH, SPANISH, TAGALOG WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 25M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2018 | ENGLISH | 13M

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE SOUTH KOREA 2019 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 17M

DIRECTOR: GEETA GANDBHIR

DIRECTOR: SET HERNANDEZ RONGKILYO

A character-driven, cinematic tale of deportation, migration, displacement and opportunistic capitalism, CALL CENTER BLUES follows four characters as they struggle to make sense of their lives in Tijuana.

COVER/AGE follows an elderly caregiver and a policy advocate in the campaign to expand healthcare to include all people, regardless of immigration status or age.

DAFA METTI

HARANA (SERENADE)

THE DRONERS

SOUTH WIND

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM 2019 | WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES, WOLOF | 15M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH, TAGALOG WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 17M

WORLD PREMIERE SOUTH KOREA 2020 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 22M

WORLD PREMIERE CHINA 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 15M

DIRECTOR: TAL AMIRAN

DIRECTOR: MARIE JAMORA

DIRECTOR: SHIM HYUNSEOK

DIRECTOR: ZHOU TIANYU

Under Paris' glittering Eiffel Tower, undocumented Senegalese migrants sell miniature souvenirs of the monument, to support their families back home.

In 1995 Las Vegas, a homesick cover band singer writes an original song to connect with her daughter who is growing up in the Philippines without her.

A drone racing player Jae-chan, once caused a terrible accident during the game, is called by a police search-and-rescue drone team to join the mission of searching a missing girl, Da-eun, in a secluded mountain.

A man comes to the fortune teller's house in a hurry. When asked about his fate, the master finds out his secrets. The man faced with a choice, tries to seize a slim chance of survival.

MAGIC KINGDOM

PARACHUTE

TALK RADIO

VR WORKPLACE

HAWAII PREMIERE HONG KONG SAR CHINA, UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, CANTONESE, MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 15M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 14M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM | ENGLISH | 9M

DIRECTOR: KATHERINE TOLENTINO

DIRECTOR: BEN S. HYLAND

HAWAII PREMIERE JAPAN 2019 | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 30M

After three years of living in America, Chinese teenager Wendy Zhang is struggling. Her teachers don't care about her, her host family doesn't understand her, and her own parents are too far away to help. Then Mei-Ling arrives.

Pauline and Barry are a seemingly happily married middled aged couple. That is until Pauline tunes into relationship hour on Talk Radio and thinks she recognises the nameless voice that’s relaying a lifetime of regrets live on the radio.

DIRECTOR: NELSON CHAK-HEI NG The story is set in 1997 against the backdrop of the looming handover of Hong Kong to China. Kit, a middle-aged single parent, brings his son from Hong Kong to California under the pretense of visiting Disneyland.

DIRECTOR: MISCHA MEYER Four teenagers in South Central Los Angeles plan a robbery - as people take to the streets protesting police brutality - and find unexpected childhood innocence in a comic book store at night.

DIRECTOR: KIM HONG-KI Hye-soo goes to sterilize the cat with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, the vet in charge is her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, and the cat does not wake up from the anesthetic after surgery.

DIRECTOR: YUKI TAKASHIMA Set in the near future, a game "VR Workplace" where persons can virtually experience the ideal work environment is gaining attraction. However, a bug within the game emerges in the form of a character named "Manager Iwaki"...

HIFF .ORG 37

SHORTS

SHORTS PROGRAM: LITTLE DOCS

SHORTS PROGRAM: TURNING POINT

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE

NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE

A selection of short documentaries about community and connection across the globe.

Who said you’re too old to grow up? A selection of short tales about the moments that change our lives.

ATOMIC CAFÉ THE NOISIEST CORNER IN J-TOWN

CONNECTION

A GOOD MOTHER

GROWING PAINS

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 8M

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE SOUTH KOREA 2020 | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 24M

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 25M

DIRECTOR: LEE YU-JIN

DIRECTOR: LIN PO-YU

Su-mi accepting that her daughter is homosexual attends a meeting for celebrating Ms.Kim(her co-worker)'s daughter's wedding.

Fourteen-year-old Yao is sick of his worn-out shoes, which his father never replaces. One day, after a confrontation with debt collectors, his father suddenly buys him a pair of expensive sneakers.

LESSONS FROM JEJU

SEE YOU, SIR

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 13M

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2019 | TAIWANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 25M

DIRECTOR: NICOLE GORMLEY

DIRECTOR: LIN YAYU

Pregnant and apprehensive about how motherhood will affect her career as a professional freediver, Kimi Werner takes a trip to the island of Jeju in South Korea to meet her heroes, the haenyeo.

Yamaha is a cocky and yet caring juvenile offender. He takes Sonny, a very young inmate, under his wing. Chuan is a quiet and mysterious new arrival. The trio become roommates on New Year's Eve.

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 10M DIRECTOR: AKIRA BOCH, TADASHI NAKAMURA In the late 1970's, when L.A.'s punk rock scene was exploding, an unlikely familyowned restaurant in Little Tokyo started

by Japanese Americans returning from America's WWII concentration camps, became one its most popular hang-outs.

DANCING ON MY OWN HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 13M DIRECTOR: ALEXANDRA CUERDO DANCING ON MY OWN is a love letter to the queer Asian experience, inspired by New York's radical dance party Bubble_T.

DIRECTOR: CIARA LACY, TRACY NGUYEN-CHUNG On a trip to Washington to cast for steelhead fish, Autumn Harry unpacks what it means to overcome her own image of who is a fly fisher and uses the sport to fight for conservation.

L’EAU EST LA VIE (WATER IS LIFE): FROM STANDING ROCK TO THE SWAMP HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 24M DIRECTOR: SAM VINAL In Louisiana, fierce Indigenous women are ready to fight-to stop the corporate blacksnake and preserve their way of life. They are risking everything to protect Mother Earth from the predatory companies that seek to poison it.

TO CALM THE PIG INSIDE

YAI NIN

YELLOW GIRL AND ME

HAWAII PREMIERE PHILIPPINES 2020 | TAGALOG WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 19M

HAWAII PREMIERE THAILAND 2020 | THAI WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 13M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 19M

DIRECTOR: JOANNA VASQUEZ ARONG

DIRECTOR: CHAMP ENSMINGER

TO CALM THE PIG INSIDE is a contemplation on the effects a typhoon leaves on a seaside city. Myths are woven in to try to understand how people cope with the devastation and trauma.

Ninlawan Pinyo is the matriarch of a Thai American family, who hustled for her fortune by founding a naem (pork sausage) factory in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

38 HIFF

DIRECTOR: ISABELLA ISSA Set in the Jamaican countryside, a young child named Nicole waits for her sister, Yellow Girl, to teach her how to swim.

Circumstances escalate when Yellow Girl breaks her promise...

PACIFIC SHOWCASE SHORTS

FILM PROGRAM

AVAILABLE NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE This annual showcase of the very best short films by and about the first peoples of the Pacific presents a broad cross section of genres and themes, ranging from comedy, slice of life drama, magical realism and the varied stories and traditions of Pacific Islanders.

BIGGIE & SHRIMP

DADDY'S GIRL

HAWAIIAN SOUL

KAPAEMAHU

UNITED STATES PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2019 | ENGLISH | 14M

HAWAII PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | MAORI WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 13M

HAWAII SPECIAL SCREENING UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, HAWAIIAN | 19M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | HAWAIIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 8M

DIRECTOR: CIAN ELYSE WHITE

DIRECTOR: 'ĀINA PAIKAI

Te Puhi prepares herself for the toughest day of her life as her father, Tui prepares a kai for his girl.

Amidst the 1970s native rights movement, George Helm, a young Hawaiian activist and musician must gain the support of kūpuna (elders) from Maui to aid in protecting the neighboring island of Kaho‘olawe from military bombing.

DIRECTOR: DEAN HAMER, JOE WILSON, HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU

MAUNA KEA: SACRED MOUNTAIN, SACRED CONDUCT

OUR LOVE

REUNION

WORLD PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | OTHER WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 16M

WORLD PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | ENGLISH | 14M

DIRECTOR: HARVEY HAYES On a downbeat housing estate, a teenager confronts his self-identity and masculinity, putting his only true friendship at risk.

LONGING FOR HAWAI'I WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 21M DIRECTOR: KATIA BARRICKLOW In the face of colonial erasure, one 'ohana's journey into the past reveals a hidden history about the Lost Kingdom of Hawai'i and its forgotten heroes.

RUAHINE: STORIES IN HER SKIN UNITED STATES PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2019 | ENGLISH, MAORI | 40M DIRECTOR: HIONA HENARE For Māori women receiving their traditional moko kauae, they are visually asserting their birthright and identity while celebrating the mana (spiritual power) of their whakapapa (ancestry).

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 11M

DIRECTOR: VALERIYA GOLOVINA

Kapaemahu reveals the hidden history of four powerful healing stones on Waikiki Beach, and the mysterious spirits within them.

DIRECTOR: RAFER RAUTJOKI

Mauna Kea: Sacred Mountain, Sacred Conduct, is a resonant work meant to amplify Maunakea's voice...

Meli and her husband Avito reflect on the pivotal decision of their lives. With much trepidation they left the tiny atoll of Tokelau for New Zealand seeking a better life for their son.

After refusing a "Meals on Wheels" dinner from a Maori teenager, Miss Venck is overjoyed to be reunited with her long departed fiance. But her joy is short lived when he reveals the reason for his return.

SKY AELANS

TRUTH TELLING

WALK A MILE

HAWAII PREMIERE SOLOMON ISLANDS 2020 | ENGLISH, OTHER | 6M

HAWAII PREMIERE AUSTRALIA 2020 | ENGLISH | 28M

HAWAII PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2019 | ENGLISH | 15M

DIRECTOR: KELLY STONER

DIRECTOR: JUDITH COWLEY

The straight-talking women that work at Waminda in regional Australia are focused on truth telling, developing powerful workshops to take an honest look at systemic racism, white privilege and white fragility.

Vietnam vet Russ hates the noisy family next door but when tragedy strikes his neighbours he changes his mind.

DIRECTOR: MELEANNA MEYER

DIRECTOR: JEREMY GWAO, DANIEL KAKADI, GEORGIANNA LEPPING, REGINA LEPPING, MANNER LÉVO, JUNIOR PATRICK MAKAU, EDWARD MANUGA, ZAHIYD NAMO, NEIL NUIA The Indigenous communities who live in the high mountain forests, known locally as the "Sky Aelans", are the last guardians of these sacred spaces. This film is a reflection of the vital bond these communities have.

WIRUN HAWAII PREMIERE AUSTRALIA 2019 | ABORIGINAL, ENGLISH | 9M DIRECTOR: CHAD O'BRIEN WIRUN is a story about Erin, a young Indigenous Australian faces obstacles in her drama class. She wants to perform like the others, but Shakespeare's old language won't come out.

HIFF .ORG 39

MADE IN HAWAII SHORTS

AVAILABLE NOV 5 – 29 | ONLINE Presenting the very best in short films from kama'aina filmmakers, as well as stories bwtased and shot in Hawaii, the MADE IN HAWAII shorts program is an early indicator of Hawaii's emerging talents, both in front and behind the camera.

Select MADE IN HAWAII Shorts will play in theaters across 2 special programs. See HIFF.ORG for full details.

MADE IN HAWAII SHORTS PROGRAM 1 7-NOV 2:00PM | WARD 7-NOV 5:00PM | WARD 29-NOV 2:00PM | WARD MADE IN HAWAII SHORTS PROGRAM 2 21-NOV 5:00PM | MILILANI 21-NOV 8:00PM | MILILANI 29-NOV 3:00PM | WARD

38 MINUTES

BEACH TO FARM

BEYOND THE MAUNA

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 17M

FESTIVAL PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 16M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 28M

DIRECTOR: PAUL LACOVARA

DIRECTOR: KEISUKE IMADA

DIRECTOR: DUNCAN HEGER, CARTER LAU

Inspired by actual events, ex-Navy SEAL, Joe Taverner, is in for his biggest battle yet; his journey to save his wife and their family before an incoming ballistic missile strikes Hawaii.

Pro surfer Joel Centeio lived at his favorite surf point, but three years ago, he decided to move to off grid land. The movie explores what sustainable means for him and Hawaii.

Beyond the Mauna is a short documentary about the controversial construction of a Thirty-Meter-Telescope (TMT) on the sacred summit of Mauna Kea in Hawai'i.

CHARITY

COLORS OF KAUA'I

EN ROUTE

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 12M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 13M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 5M

DIRECTOR: MITCHEL VIERNES

DIRECTOR: MARK MILLER

DIRECTOR: RENO CHAMP

A man wakes up to find an ominous stranger in his dining room and is faced with making an impossible decision.

A remote and vibrant community comes to life as they celebrate their first-ever LGBTQ+ Pride. Families, local leaders, and allies fight to transform themselves and the heart of the Purple Island.

A young local youth discovers his passion for fire knife dancing can save him from the hardships of a troubled upbringing.

40 HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

FINDING DOHI

HARANA

HAWAIIAN SOUL

HAWAII PREMIERE JAPAN, UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 26M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | TAGALOG WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 10M

HAWAII SPECIAL SCREENING UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, HAWAIIAN | 19M

DIRECTOR: AMBER MCCLURE

DIRECTOR: KATHERINE WONG

FINDING DOHI is an intimate portrait of a woman separated by culture, language, and thousands of miles from a family she has never met.

Jose, an elderly Filipino man struggles with the decision to put his ailing wife Pacita in a care home for her advancing dementia.

Amidst the 1970s native rights movement, George Helm, a young Hawaiian activist and musician must gain the support of kūpuna (elders) from Maui to aid in protecting the neighboring island of Kaho‘olawe from military bombing.

INDIE ARTISTS: SKATEBOARDING

KAMA‘ĀINA (CHILD OF THE LAND)

KAPAEMAHU

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 8M

HAWAII SPECIAL SCREENING UNITED STATES 2019 | HAWAIIAN | 17M

DIRECTOR: JOE CARELLA

DIRECTOR: KIMI HOWL LEE

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | HAWAIIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 8M

Indie Artists is a short doc series aimed at showcasing unique individuals who use their journey and hobbies as a way of expression and art. This short introduces us to skateboarder, Adrian Adrid.

A queer sixteen-year-old girl, Mahina, must navigate life on the streets in Oahu, until she eventually finds refuge at the Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae—Hawai‘i's largest organized homeless encampment.

KIPUKA -NEW BEGINNINGS-

THE LONGING FADE

THE MAINLAND

WORLD PREMIERE JAPAN 2020 | ENGLISH, JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 20M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 8M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 19M

DIRECTOR: KAVEH KARDAN

DIRECTOR: CONRAD LIHILIHI

A lonely woman struggles with her sense of self and fading memory as she embarks on a journey of closure in this touching story about love, loss, and forgiveness.

THE MAINLAND follows Hawaiian actor, Ikaika, as he navigates the Hollywood politics of ethnic diversity when his small town cousin, Kekoa, unexpectedly shows up on his doorstep.

POI DOG LESSONS

RED HOUSE

FESTIVAL PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 2M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 20M

DIRECTOR: KIMBERLEE BASSFORD

DIRECTOR: GERARD ELMORE

Disturbed by the racism against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Honolulu Theatre for Youth company actor Maki'ilei Ishihara taps into her mixed Asian Pacific heritage to co-produce an animated video poem titled "Poi Dog".

Scotty, an addict shunned by his community, is released from prison and goes straight to the beach to test his longtime fear of the ocean.

DIRECTOR: AI IWANE "KIPUKA -New Beginnings" is about five abandoned Japanese Cemeteries in Hawai‘i, and their grave keepers who share the memories, filmed entirely in Hawai‘i.

MAUNA KEA: SACRED MOUNTAIN, SACRED CONDUCT HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 11M DIRECTOR: MELEANNA MEYER Mauna Kea: Sacred Mountain, Sacred Conduct, is a resonant work meant to amplify Maunakea's voice...

DIRECTOR: 'ĀINA PAIKAI

DIRECTOR: DEAN HAMER, JOE WILSON, HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU Kapaemahu reveals the hidden history of four powerful healing stones on Waikiki Beach, and the mysterious spirits within them.

HIFF .ORG 41

STUDENT SHOWCASE

2020 STUDENT SHOWCASE MCINERNY FOUNDATION

AVAILABLE

091319.MOV

A VLOG DURING COVID

ALONE TOGETHER

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 5M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 4M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 5M

DIRECTOR: NALEA KAAIKALA

DIRECTORS: MEI KANADA, JEANINE LONGBOY, KATELYN LOPES, ISABELLE MUNJAR

DIRECTOR: KUN KIM Told through the eyes of a high school teen, this film depicts the lonely reality of studying abroad layered with the spoken and unspoken nuances communicated between a mother and son.

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | FREE

It is a normal day for a teenage girl as she makes plans for a day out but in these tough times, there is COVID.

This short film was created during the lockdown by students from the media programs at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School on Kaua'i.

DEAR 2030

THE DEVIL DWELLS NEAR

FLOODS OF HOPE

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 7M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 6M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 3M

DIRECTOR: CHRISTIAN CRISTOBAL

DIRECTOR: OLIVER PARK

DIRECTOR: SAIGE ADARO

This film captures the essence of healing the world we live in everyday. And how we can make an impact as individuals with the time we are given right now.

Something has gone missing, so it's up to the detective to find out where it went in this modern-day take on a noir film.

Floods of Hope is an experimental spoken word film that explores the importance of environmental activism with the rising sea levels in the state of Hawai‘i.

HEART IN THE PARK

HITMAN

KĀHULI

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 2M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 26M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | HAWAIIAN | 3M

DIRECTOR: KARISSA TABADERO

DIRECTOR: DEVAN FUJINAKA

DIRECTOR: PHOENIX MAIMITI VALENTINE

This heartwarming animation by Karissa Tabadero will bring a smile to your face.

Honolulu, 2045. A bounty hunter frantically tries to free his childhood best friend from jail, leading him to a decision that could ruin his conscience forever.

Kāhuli (Beloved Hawaiian Land & Tree Snails), once adorned native Hawaiian Forests abundantly. Over 750 species were documented through chants & folklore.

Today less than 40 species survive.

42 HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

LIFE IN COVID-19

LIMBO

MEMORY 2752

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 2M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 5M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 6M

DIRECTOR: SUMMER LEE

DIRECTOR: DIAERIS MCRAVEN

DIRECTOR: JONATHAN WILSON

Filmmaker Summer Lee's historical documentary filmed in the observational and poetic modes is a poignant reminder of how things have changed.

The story follows a boy who lost someone he's loved recently. Ever since her passing, life has been a little hard for him.

In the not too distant future, people relive and experience their favorite memories with all five senses at The Memory Bank. But for Nathan are memories of Helen enough?

NEW YEAR’S EVE

NO ALOHA FOR MICRONESIANS

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 3M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 6M

PIKO I, PIKO O, PIKO A: ‘ŌLINO ARTS VIRTUAL ANIMATION ACADEMY 2020

DIRECTOR: ROCKY SERENI

DIRECTOR: ERIN NISHI

2020's coronavirus is broken down into a good and bad side, showing the audience that we need to stay positive and creative even with a pandemic bearing down on us.

Video documentary depicting the injustices, discrimination, and health care disparities experienced by the Compact of Free Association (including Micronesian) islanders before and after their migration to Hawaii.

DIRECTOR: LILI‘UOKALANI TRUST �ŌLINO ARTS 2020

QUARANTEENS

THE QUARANTINE SURVIVAL GUIDE

REDEMPTION

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 2M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 9M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 10M

DIRECTOR: MARISA TONAKI

DIRECTOR: ALIA SPECIALE, SERAFINO SPECIALE

DIRECTOR: ZEKE PLANAS, KAWAI RAMOS-POE

This documentary shows how teenagers are dealing with the Corona Virus quarantine.

A tween watches a comedy video on how to cope with covid-19.

Story of DeMarcus Ezra, 17 yr old at risk youth, transition from troubled teen to productive citizen after attending the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy.

STARGAZER

WAGON

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 8M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH | 72M

DIRECTOR: DANIEL VAN

DIRECTOR: ANISTON EYRE

The US has established the Junior Deep Space Program (JDSP) within the Space Force. John and Anne are on a mission to study a distant star system when a malfunction causes their ship to lose power.

Get "under the hood" with a Maui ohana of seven on their cross-country road trip in their 1982 Mercedes G-Wagon that runs on used cooking oil.

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 28M This year the Lili‘uokalani Trust ‘ŌlinO Arts partnered with Hawai’i Women in Filmmaking to offer a virtual version of the Animation Academy. The reel is the result of three weeks of learning and community building around animation rooted in the Hawaiian belief of three states of being.

HIFF .ORG 43

HIFF XR

2020 HIFF XR

HIFF XR (formerly HIFF VR) is our showcase for cutting-edge projects at the intersection of storytelling, art, and technology. In previous editions, we have hosted an event space for audiences to gather and ‘experience’ these various works. Obviously, that is not possible this year. That being said, we’re excited to present our first web-based emerging media program, featuring virtual reality, video games, a live performance, soundscapes, augmented reality (AR) and more. While we may not be able to gather in person, we can still share these eye-opening experiences: the artists featured this year invite us to travel across time and space, to explore our inner selves as well as our shared digital worlds.

This year’s selections are wide-ranging, from comedies to documentaries to experimental performances.

Participants can virtually dive into the ocean, untangle conspiracy theories, and listen to imagined conversations between plants. They can learn about civil rights via the video game world of Minecraft, or record their own stories to add to an interactive soundscape. The projects draw on a wide range of technologies, including virtual reality, live streaming, game engines, and AI. While this year’s projects represent diverse experiences, they all feature compelling and creative storytelling.

Moreover, these projects don’t just take place in virtual environments, they also explore the potential of new technologies and platforms, and sometimes utilize them in unexpected ways. Many of the selections also demonstrate inventive responses to the challenges of creating and connecting amidst a global pandemic.

In a time of deep uncertainty and upheaval, they offer playful escape as well as meaningful explorations of identity, perception, and injustice.

HIFF XR SPOTLIGHT PROJECTS Full Details on all XR projects and information on project access/download can be found at HIFF.ORG.

BUILDING HISTORY 3.0

IN EVENT OF MOON DISASTER

REQUIEM FOR LOST PLANTS

GREAT HOAX: THE MOON LANDING

ONE SQUARE MILE, 10,000 VOICES

YOUR SPIRITUAL TEMPLE SUCKS

HAENYEO VR

HIFF XR LIVE EVENTS LIVE PERFORMANCE: STARCAST WITH VIBRATION GROUP

BUILDING HISTORY 3.0 XR EVENT

Join the VIBRATION GROUP for an astral voyage with meditation, music, dance, and a rare visit to the intergalactic library of knowledge. By beaming onto their ship, you’ll help spread their message of healing and resiliency in hopes that it will reverberate across their beloved home planet Earth. This performance is part of the VIBRATION GROUP experimental opera.

Students will have the opportunity to experience the WWII-era Japanese internment camps through an interactive Minecraft game world. Classroom resources, and curriculum for teacher are also included in the program.

14-NOV 10:00AM HST | ONLINE | FREE See WWW.HIFF.ORG for event registration.

12-NOV 6:00PM HST | ONLINE | FREE See HIFF.ORG for Event Registration

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN: A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN HSU Live-streamed A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN HSU to learn about his fascinating career and embracing of new media that has caught the eyes of curators from Venice, Cannes and Sundance.

13- NOV 5:00PM HST | ONLINE | FREE See HIFF.ORG for Event Registration

44 HIFF

HIFF EDUCATION

YOUTH EDUCATION

HIFF 2020

THE HAWAI’I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OFFERS FREE AND EXCITING PROGRAMS FOR K-12 STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS IS THREE-FOLD: • To inspire students to pursue excellence in film and video production • To broaden their understanding of the media industry • To sharpen their critical viewing skills and cultural awareness Students will have the opportunity to participate in THREE programs:

YOUTH EDUCATION SCREENINGS PROGRAM Free virtual screenings of highly acclaimed films that bear cultural and/or educational significance.

FIRST VOTE

LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM

DIRECTOR: YI CHEN | 59M

DIRECTORS: PAWO CHOYNING DORJI | 109M

WATER LIKE FIRE DIRECTOR: MITCHEL VIERNES | 88M

GUEST FILMMAKER PROGRAM The following professionals in the filmmaking industry have volunteered to share their expertise with Hawaii’s youth through virtual classroom visits.

MCINERNY FOUNDATION

Kimberlee Bassford Yi Chen Justyn Ah Chong Gerard Elmore Erin Lau Conrad Lihilihi Ciara Lacy

Kimi Howl Lee Valerie Castillo Martinez Anne Misawa Aina Paikai Bassam Tariq Hao Wu Mitchel Viernes

HIFF .ORG 45

HIFF EDUCATION

DANIEL K. INOUYE INSTITUTE STUDENT FILM INITIATIVE The Hawai’i International Film Festival will always be an international lighthouse to present cinema for social change. As we partner with organizations like the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, we work to build a better future by working with students and young filmmakers who have a powerful voice to reimagine a new world.

Senator Inouye served in the United States Congress through twelve American Presidents. To them, he was an advisor, a mentor, an interrogator, and a friend. From Watergate to Iran-Contra, Senator Inouye held our country’s Presidents and their appointments accountable to their decisions and to the people, earning him praise as “Hawaii’s Quiet Voice of Conscience in the Senate.” In 2010, Senator Inouye was named President Pro Tempore by his peers, becoming third in line for the American Presidency.

A time-honored tradition, the outgoing President leaves a handwritten letter to his successor, offering encouragement, words of wisdom, and support. Regardless of political party, winners or losers, these letters have become a symbol of transition in our American democracy, and an opportunity to reflect on the grace and wisdom of those who serve as Commander in Chief.

As the nation experiences turbulent times and historic challenges around the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing dialogue around systemic racism through the lens of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, what is resonating with our youth? What messages and hopes do they have when reflecting on their own view of social injustices? Through their eyes and in their words, what does America need most right now?

DKII FINALISTS Q&A ZOOM SESSION AND AWARDS CEREMONY PHILLIPA SOO Finalists will participate in a Future Filmmaker Q&A session, featuring Producer and writer Phil Chung of You Offend Me, You Offend My Family (YOMYOMF) as the moderator for the panel with Youth Ambassador guest, Phillipa Soon (Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway musical HAMILTON).

DKII FINALISTS Q&A ZOOM SESSION AND AWARDS CEREMONY Finalists receive student filmmaker badges that provide them with access to HIFF, including free screenings and panel talks during the festival. An awards ceremony where a 1st and 2nd place is selected in a high school category and a middle-school category. Past celebrities include actors Harry Shum Jr and Jacob Batalon. Daniel K. Inouye Institute will also be awarding the top winners with a cash prize and a gift card to Best Buy.

46 HIFF

DANIEL K. INOUYE INITIATIVE SHOWCASE AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | FREE Finalists will be presented during the 40th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival during a special presentation screening as part of the Festival’s annual program.

DEAR FUTURE PRESIDENT

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT

DEAR PRESIDENT

HELPING THE HOMELESS

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 1M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 2M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 1M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 5M

DIRECTOR: ISABELLA ROSE CERIA

DIRECTOR: EMILY LABRADOR-SHANTZ

DIRECTOR: PHOENIX MAIMITI VALENTINE

DIRECTOR: SHILEY LEVINSON

When moments become difficult and problems arise, guidance is needed.

America needs a leader who can help us through these struggles, striving to become stronger.

My Letter to the U.S. President about what our country needs right now.

E mālama Hōnua a me ke Aloha kekahi i kekahi! Let’s care for the Earth, and respect one another. “Dear President” is written in hopes that America may be guided by righteousness and not avarice.

This film is about helping our most vulnerable citizens, the homeless.

They are living with nothing, and the law says they aren't allowed to sit or lie down, almost anywhere. We need to help them.

LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

LIGHT

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 3M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 3M

MR. CHONG'S NEIGHBORHOOD

MY LETTER TO THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT

DIRECTOR: CAMERON JOHNSON

DIRECTOR: TIFFANY LIU

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 3M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 4M

My Letter to the U.S. President about what our country needs right now.

Darkness: America is living in it day by day. As individuals we are all so unique, yet as humanity we are all so similar. The key to unlock our rightful future is the need for light.

DIRECTOR: JACOB CHONG

DIRECTOR: MILEY COX

Oli Orca and Mr. Chong write a message to the mayor expressing their feelings and hopes toward him.

My purpose for creating this film was to ask our president about the possibilities of having a "wonderful world" based on future Global Goal Initiatives.

MY VIDEO LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

PIECE OF CAKE

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S MESSAGE

VIDEO LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 4M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 4M

My purpose for creating this film was to ask our president about the possibilities of having a "wonderful world" based on future Global Goal Initiatives.

DIRECTOR: OLIVER PARK, NOA SCHNEIDER

DIRECTOR: JESSA ROSARIO

President Trump has a pretty interesting message for his predecessor.

My Letter to the U.S. President about what our country needs right now.

WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED

WITH LOVE (2020)

WITHOUT A HOME

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 3M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 5M

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 5M

DIRECTORS: CAITLIN CHUNG, MARIEL LIMOS

DIRECTOR: DEVAN FUJINAKA

DIRECTOR: ALEX CHING

With an approach to "writing a letter to our President" and addressing the prompt, we pause in the narrative to reflect on how these events resulted by the actions of our current government in office.

A house burglar walks the viewer through his life as he robs journals from top CEO's, hoping they can teach him how to lead his dyslexic brother in the pursuit of their dreams.

A reflective homeless man roams the streets of Honolulu as he dreams about the home that America could be.

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 2M DIRECTOR: NICK WAINIT My Letter to the U.S. President about what our country needs right now.

WORLD PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 1M DIRECTOR: NOAH RAQUINO

HIFF .ORG 47

NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES PROGRAM The New American Perspectives program shines a spotlight on the contributions of immigrant filmmakers to contemporary cinema in the United States. In 2020, the New American Perspectives program supports films, talks, Q & A sessions, and a panel discussion with foreign-born artists. We are uniquely proud to support HIFF’s opening-night screening of Minari and a recorded Q & A with Steven Yeun and Lee Isaac Chung as part of our programming this year. Also during the festival, filmmakers Valerie Castillo Martinez,

Yi Chen, Roseanne Liang, Bassam Tariq, and Hao Wu will participate in a live panel discussion focused on their careers and experiences as foreign-born artists. All of these artists will also participate in Q & A programs about their work, which will be made available to all festival attendees. A number of this year’s New American Perspectives filmmakers will also participate in HIFF’s Guest Filmmaker Program, which brings filmmakers from around the globe into K-12 classrooms in Hawai'i to speak about filmmaking.

2020 FILMS MINARI HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH, KOREAN W/ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 115M

DIRECTOR: LEE ISAAC CHUNG LEAD ACTOR: STEVEN YEUN NOV-5 7:00 PM HST LIVE ON WATCH.HIFF.ORG | AVAILABLE UNTIL 11:00PM HST NOV-5 7:00 PM | CONSOLIDATED WARD THEATERS

NAP GALA PRESENTATION

IN CONVERSATION WITH LEE ISAAC CHUNG & STEVEN YEUN A special extended discussion with director Lee Isaac Chung and Featured New American Perspectives participant, Steven Yeun, will be available to view beginning NOV 5TH. The Discussion link will be available on the HIFF.ORG, HIFF Facebook page, and in the WATCH.HIFF.ORG listing for MINARI.

SHADOW IN THE CLOUD HAWAII PREMIERE NEW ZEALAND 2020 | ENGLISH | 83M

DIRECTOR: ROSEANNE LIANG IN THEATERS ONLY 7-NOV 8:00PM | WARD 14-NOV 2:00PM | PEARLRIDGE

NAP FEATURE FILM

NAP MASTER CLASS: ROSEANNE LIANG A special Master Class discussion with director Roseanne Liang will be held online during the 40th Hawaii International Film Festival. The Discussion will be presented live on zoom, and Facebook live.

Date/Time and registration link coming soon.

FIRST VOTE

DEATH OF NINTENDO

MOGUL MOWGLI

76 DAYS

RETURN ENGAGEMENT UNITED STATES 2019 | ENGLISH, MANDARIN W/ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 58M

HAWAII PREMIERE PHILIPPINES, UNITED STATES 2020 ENGLISH, TAGALOG W/ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 99M

HAWAI PREMIERE UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES 2020 | ENGLISH | 90M

HAWAII PREMIERE UNITED STATES, CHINA 2020 | MANDARIN W/ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 93M

DIRECTOR: BASSAM TARIQ

DIRECTOR: HAO WU

DIRECTOR: RAYA MARTIN SCREENWRITER/PRODUCER: VALERIE CASTILLO MARTINEZ

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | Nationwide

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | Nationwide

DIRECTOR: YI CHEN AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | Nationwide

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | Nationwide

HIFF TALKS: NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES IN FILMMAKING 14-NOV 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | ZOOM & FACEBOOK LIVE | FREE See HIFF.ORG for Event Registration As part of 2020’s New American Perspective’s program presented in partnership with the Vilcek Foundation, HIFF will present a FREE panel discussion with filmmakers spotlighted in this year’s program: Roseanne Liang, Yi Chen, Valerie Castillo Martinez, Bassam Tariq, and Hao Wu. The filmmakers will discuss their careers, their works, and their experiences as foreign-born artists.

48 HIFF

2020 NEW AMERICAN FILMMAKERS The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences. The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to support the filmmakers and content-creators who are part of the New American Perspectives Program – creative spirits like theirs enliven and inspire cinema and multimedia storytelling – art forms that owe much to the immigrant community in the United States.

NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES SPECIAL GUEST: STEVEN YEUN Korean-born Steven Yeun is the Executive Producer and star of 2020 Sundance Award-Winning film MINARI directed and written by Lee Isaac Chung. Yeun gained notice for his portrayal of fan favorite Glenn Rhee in AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD from 2010 to 2016 before his character was killed at the start of the seventh season. He starred in the South Korean mystery BURNING and received the National Society of Film Critics Award for best supporting actor. Other credits include OKJA and SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. Yeun is also starring in A24’s adaptation of the play THE HUMANS alongside Beanie Feldstein, Jayne Houdyshell, Richard Jenkins and Amy Schumer.

NEW AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES FEATURE FILMMAKER: ROSEANNE LIANG Roseanne enjoys the cut and thrust of genre, social resonance and culture. Her feature film MY WEDDING AND OTHER SECRETS is the most successful NZ-Asian feature film to date, based on her festival hit documentary BANANA IN A NUTSHELL. Roseanne has also made award-winning work across TV comedy and short film including Berlin-winning TAKE 3, cult-favourite webseries FLAT3/FRIDAY NIGHT BITES, and Sundance-SXSW breakout action short DO NO HARM. Roseanne’s latest US action-thriller feature film, SHADOW IN THE CLOUD, stars Chloë Grace Moretz and Nick Robinson. It premiered last month at Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award.

YI CHEN Yi Chen is a documentary filmmaker based in Washington, DC. She is a Soros Equality Fellow and DC Arts and Humanities Fellow. Her debut feature FIRST VOTE is currently in distribution at festivals including AFI DOCS, CAAMFest, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, Houston AAPI Film Festival, Nevertheless Film Festival and Hawaii International Film Festival. Yi holds an MFA in Film and Media Arts from American University and taught at George Mason University’s Film and Video Studies program.

VALERIE CASTILLO MARTINEZ Valerie Castillo Martinez was born in the Philippines and moved to the US in 2001.She has written, directed and produced several projects set in the US and international locations. She started her company IndieFlip, to make films that deal with underrepresented subjects and cross-cultural themes.

Her emphasis in innovative storytelling, collaboration and international co-productions highlighting diversity and inclusion with underlying social themes has led to some of her films' successes. DEATH OF NINTENDO is her first feature film as writer and producer. It held its world premiere at Berlinale 2020, and is continuing its festival rounds.

BASSAM TARIQ Bassam Tariq is a writer and director. His debut narrative feature MOGUL MOWGLI, starring Riz Ahmed, premiered at Berlinale 2020 and won the International Critics Prize. He is a TED Fellow and was named Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film." His previous film GHOSTS OF SUGAR LAND (2019) won the Short Film Jury Prize at Sundance, shortlisted for the Oscars, and released as a Netflix Original. His first feature documentary, THESE BIRDS WALK, premiered at SXSW and is distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories.

HAO WU Technology executive-turned-filmmaker Hao Wu takes a raw and human approach to story-telling in an era when culture evolves online and across borders. Wu’s award-winning documentary films have received support from Ford Foundation JustFilms, ITVS, Sundance, Tribeca and international broadcasters.

76 DAYS, Wu’s latest work and the first feature documentary on the COVID-19 pandemic to play at a film festival, held its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in September 2020.

HIFF .ORG 49

Welcome to Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco www.hketosf.gov.hk Official Presenter of the HIFF40 Spotlight on China Program

Supporting Hawaii’s entrepreneurs for over 60 years.

It’s a tough time to be a business owner.

Since 1960, we’ve stuck beside Hawaii’s entrepreneurs through good times and bad.

Learn more at HawaiiNational.Bank

Start here.

Equal Opportunity Lender

50 Member HIFFFDIC/Federal Reserve System

Charles Asselbaye Local Joe

SPOTLIGHT ON HONG KONG

THE MASTERY OF ANN HUI HIFF is honored to partner with the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office of San Francisco (HKETO-SF) to present this year's Spotlight on Hong Kong with a special focus on the masterful filmmaker Ann Hui. While not a blockbuster name like Tsui Hark, Stephen Chow, John Woo or Wong Kar Wai, Hui is one of the city’s most celebrated filmmakers of her generation, with 6 Hong Kong Film Awards for best director to her name. Perhaps because of gender bias, or the non-flashy genre elements in her films that usually attributed to the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, Hui is finally getting her spotlight, with a lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival in August (past recipients were David Cronenberg, Robert Redford and Bertrand Tavernier) and HIFF's great honor to bestow her with our own Career Achievement Award. Problematically, Hui is the first female recipient to receive both of these awards at both film festivals. Regarding this Festival, we hope to rectify this by honoring Hui during our 40th anniversary.

Born in Liaoning Province, in northern China, next to the North Korean border, Hui spent her childhood in Macau before moving to Hong Kong to attend St Paul’s Convent School. After earning a Master’s degree at the University of Hong Kong, she moved abroad to the London Film School, graduating in 1975. On returning to Hong Kong she started her career in TV, working for the likes of TVB and RTHK before moving into feature filmmaking, where she honed her humanistic and socio-cultural narratives that would become signature components of her illustrious filmography. The winner of three Golden Horse awards and six Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) for best director, Hui is one of the most talented filmmakers of her generation.

To honor Ann Hui and her exemplary work, HIFF will present the U.S. premiere of KEEP ROLLING, where Hui becomes a ‘star’ for the first time in Man Lim-chung's directorial debut. This biopic probes into the acclaimed director’s idiosyncratic world, where we witness her rashness and goofiness, as well as her humanistic concerns for the everyday characters which make her films so moving.

In addition, we will be presenting three films from Hui's forty-year career: BOAT PEOPLE (1982) is a key part of the Hong Kong New Wave that emerged in the early 1980s, and also garnered Hui early critical acclaim, earning 5 HKFA including Best Director; SONG OF THE EXILE (1990) is a semi-autobiographical film that tells of the strained relations between a mother and daughter with Maggie Cheung, in one of her finest performances; A SIMPLE LIFE (2011) is a quiet heartbreaker that follows Ah Tao, an elderly domestic helper nearing the end of her days.

Deannie Yip is brilliant as Ah Tao and superbly supported by Andy Lau in one of his career best roles. This modest, down-to-earth work would also sweep the HKFA and is considered one of Hui's best films.

SCREENINGS - ANN HUI MINI-RETROSPECTIVE

BOAT PEOPLE (1983)

SONG OF THE EXILE (1990)

A SIMPLE LIFE (2012)

KEEP ROLLING (2020)

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | HAWAII-ONLY

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE

See Page __ for details.

See Page __ for details.

See Page __ for details.

See Page __ for details.

A CONVERSATION WITH ANN HUI Join us for a special live-streamed A CONVERSATION WITH ANN HUI as we discuss her amazing career, her outlook on the future of Hong Kong cinema, and how she is joining forces with other high profile Hong Kong auteurs to help save a post-pandemic film industry.

NEW HONG KONG CINEMA MY PRINCE EDWARD HAWAII PREMIERE HONG KONG 2019 | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 88M AVAILABLE NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE In addition to this year's Ann Hui celebration, the Festival is also screening one of the best Hong Kong films of the year, MY PRINCE EDWARD, directed by female director Norris Wong, who takes the mantle of Hong Kong's filmmaking future with a film that redefines Hong Kongese cinema, through a dramatic tale of 21st-century women, who are rebelling against conservative societal molds.

HIFF .ORG 51

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52  HIFF

Whether in the car or your home office, stay connected with the HPR mobile app. Free in the App Store and on Google Play. hawaiipublicradio.org

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE TIME OF COVID Due to the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting humanity worldwide, this year's SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN, presented by the Ministry of Culture ROC and Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles, is truly unique and of note, simply because as other nations have failed to contain and control the pandemic in their regions, Taiwan has emerged as a front leader on how to implement smart, reasonable, yet aggressive strategies to rise above the ranks as one of the rare success stories in a 2020 that is full of doom and gloom.

For this year's SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN, the Festival is presenting 4 new feature films, 2 new short films, and a continuation of highlighting Taiwan's pioneering cultural investment in XR with a focus on director John Hsu's work in machinima, VR, and feature filmmaking. Make sure to join us for our live-streamed A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN HSU to learn about his fascinating career and embracing of new media that has caught the eyes of curators from Venice, Cannes and Sundance.

In addition, most of the Taiwanese films will be available to view online via HIFF's streaming platform throughout the festival dates. On the other hand, I WEIRDO (coincidentally, a prescient film that was a sleeper hit when released in local theaters earlier this year) and A LEG (co-opener of this year’s Golden Horse Film Festival, happening almost concurrently with HIFF) will be presented as live screenings at our cinema partner Consolidated Theaters. These live presentations will be adhering to the venue's social distancing policies.

FILM SCREENINGS DETENTION

GET THE HELL OUT

I WEIRDO

A LEG

HAWAII PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2019 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 103M

UNITED STATES PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 96M

HAWAII PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 102M

UNITED STATES PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 115M

DIRECTOR: JOHN HSU

DIRECTOR: WANG I-FAN

DIRECTOR: LIAO MING-YI

DIRECTOR: CHANG YAOSHENG

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | USA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | USA

22-NOV 8:00 PM | MILILANI

SHORT FILMS GROWING PAINS

SEE YOU, SIR

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2020 | CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 25M

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE TAIWAN ROC 2019 | TAIWANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 25M

DIRECTOR: LIN PO-YU

DIRECTOR: LIN YAYU

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | USA

NOV 5 - 29 | ONLINE | USA

SPOTLIGHT ON JOHN HSU John Hsu (1981, Taiwan) obtained his master's degree in the department of Radio, Television and Film at Shih Hsin University.

His first TV film, REAL ONLINE, was awarded Best Fiction Film at the 2005 South Taiwan Film & Video Festival. It also earned him the Best Director Award at Golden Bell Awards, the biggest television award in Taiwan. Hsu is co-founder of AFK PL@YERS, the biggest machinima production group in Taiwan. Hsu has expanded his footprint in the virtual reality space with YOUR SPIRITUAL TEMPLE SUCKS (2018) and GREAT HOAX: THE MOON LANDING (2020), which he co-directed with Marco Lococo. Both works have been critically acclaimed, presented at major events like Sundance, Tribeca and Venice Film Festivals. His debut feature film DETENTION (2019), was based on a video game of the same name. It was nominated for twelve prizes at the 56th Golden Horse Awards and won five, including Best New Director for Hsu.

VR WORKS IN FOCUS GREAT HOAX: THE MOON LANDING

YOUR SPIRITUAL TEMPLE SUCKS

INFORMATION ON PROJECT ACCESS & DOWNLOAD AT HIFF.ORG

INFORMATION ON PROJECT ACCESS & DOWNLOAD AT HIFF.ORG

SPOTLIGHT ON TAIWAN/HIFF XR: A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN HSU Live-streamed A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN HSU to learn about his fascinating career and embracing of new media that has caught the eyes of curators from Venice, Cannes and Sundance.

13- NOV 5:00PM HST | ONLINE | FREE See HIFF.ORG for Event Registration

HIFF .ORG 53

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FILM PROGRAM

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THE HAWAI‘I FILM OFFICE IS PROUD TO BE A SUPPORTER OF THE HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

56 HIFF

FILM PROGRAM

Proud sponsor of the

PACIFIC SHOWCASE at the 40th ANNUAL HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Presented by Halekulani

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Empowering Creative Professionals

Music | Screenwriting | Producing | Directing Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality | Streaming Media Acting | Theater | Playwriting | Indigenous Storytelling

Proud sponsors of:

The HIFF Drive-In at the Wai Wai/Varsity Building November 14 and 15 Presented by Kamehameha Schools

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FILM PROGRAM

Our 2020 Holiday Collection featuring Ginger Spice, Peppermint, and Pumpkin is now available online and in stores.

Proud Sponsor of the

2020 HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OAHU | MAUI | LAS VEGAS | GUAM

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The pineapple shape of the cookie is a federally registered trademark of the Honolulu Cookie Company. November 2020. HIFF ©2019 Honolulu Cookie Company. All Rights Reserved.

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FILM PROGRAM CASTLE & COOKE HAWAII Proud sponsor of the Hawaii International Film Festival

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Film. Family.

Food. Friends.

ENTERTAINING HAWAI‘I SINCE 1917.

We are proud to host the 40th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival at Consolidated Ward with TITAN LUXE, ‘Ōlino

by Consolidated Theatres with TITAN LUXE, Consolidated Mililani with TITAN LUXE, and Consolidated Pearlridge.

Continuing our tradition of bringing acclaimed visual storytelling to our community.

64 HIFF

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