Crowds flocked to Kahala Malls Consolidated Theatres last month for the 44th annual Hawaii International Film Festival, eager to experience a variety of local and international feature films focusing on Pacific Islander identity and culture.
“It’s not only Hawaii, but also other indigenous peoples around the world, who are able to bring their films here. Whether it be shorts, features, documentaries, and to have their voice be heard, in a community that maybe they would maybe never have been,” said Gary Chun, HIFF Programming associate.
For the many creatives involved with the films, the event marked an opportunity to share their experiences on the big screen, with an audience and community focused on indigenous issues.
“The local acting community is definitely pleased, because it gives us an opportunity to be a part of telling stories,” said Romio Garcia, actor of Two Breaths.
Welcoming all visitors, HIFF creates a safe space for creatives and community members to come together, interact and learn from one another. Raising awareness about cross-cultural issues, the films offered a variety of indigenous perspectives.
Myths and Maidens highlights the detrimental impacts of stereotypes relating to Pacific Islander women and celebrates a modern movement by indigenous women to recapture and embrace their identity.
“I thought it was great, I don’t know, as a woman of color myself, It was just really nice just to see the representation. I may not be, Pacific Islander, but they made connections to African Americans, to skin being darker, and representation, so it was great. I almost cried, it was great.” said Kennedy Allen, an audience member and UH Manoa student.
Leaving viewers with high hopes for a new future of representation, HIFF doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon.
“I think as long as stories and ideas want to be spread, that they deserve to be,” said Adrienne Wilson, HIFF Volunteer Coordinator.
HIFF continues on the neighbor islands through Nov. 10.
Michael Ramras is a senior journalism major at UH Manoa, studying video journalism. It is his second year on Oahu, following a move from his home state of Oregon. He hopes to further his career in journalism with a focus on documentary.
