Greetings from Hawaii!

The Vilcek Foundation is very excited to report that the 32nd Hawaii International Film Festival has officially started! The Honolulu-based festival kicked off with a wonderful press conference, held at the RumFire Restaurant and Bar, followed by an opening reception at the Halekulani Hau Terrace attended by filmmakers, curators, and actors.

Chuck Boller, Executive Director of HIFF, announced the continuation of the New American Filmmakers (NAF) program at the festival. The NAF film tour brings films made by talented immigrants to several parts of the United States at festivals such as HIFF. This year’s NAF film selection include eight screenings of four feature-length films and two short films. Stay tuned for our exclusive interviews with each of the NAF delegate filmmakers and get the inside scoop on their immigration stories and filmmaking careers! The interviews will discuss everything from being a writer, actor, and/or composer on a film, to hanging out with a psychic octopus.

One of the key events taking place at this year’s festival is a panel and reception celebrating 40 years of Women Makes Movies (WMM). This non-profit media arts organization provides filmmaking resources for films by and about women. WWM also supports Mimi Chakarova, a NAF delegate from HIFF 31 and director of the award-winning documentary THE PRICE OF SEX. Congratulations, WMM, on your accomplishments!

If you’re in Hawaii and not sure what to watch among over 200 films at HIFF, consider the six films of the NAF program sponsored by the Vilcek Foundation! As for our friends in New York City and elsewhere, we didn’t forget you – check back right here on our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for tons of videos, photos, and more!