The 45th Hawaii International Film Festival closed its awards ceremony with a reception at the Halekulani Hotel, doling out $58,000 in prizes across all categories celebrating international cinema, Pacific Island storytelling and Hawaii’s local talent.
Leon Le’s “Ky Nam Inn,” a tender drama set in Vietnam exploring grief and longing in post-conflict Saigon, won the Kau Ka Hōkū (Shooting Star) Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines. The award recognizes emerging filmmakers working on their first or second feature film.
“Elegance and simplicity can be deceptive – they require deep intention and precision to resonate so deeply,” the jury said of the film, which follows a young translator and an older widow navigating unexpressed emotions. “Through its beautiful blend of poetry, music and literature, ‘Ky Nam’ not only tells a story, it reminds us of the quiet power of art rooted in humanity.”
The jury included Oscar-nominated producer Diane Quon, Janica Chua, co-founder of Third Culture Content, and David Magdael, founder of David Magdael & Associates.
“Remathau: People of the Ocean” by Daniel H. Lin won the Pasifika Prize and its $5,000 cash prize. The documentary follows Micronesian explorer Nicole Yamase as she descends into the Mariana Trench while discovering her identity and ancestral heritage.
“Our Pasifika Prize winner shines a spotlight on the islands of Micronesia – often mistreated, misunderstood and neglected,” said the jury. “Nicole, you are indeed our future and our hope.”
The Pasifika jury included Heather Guigni, founder of Uluʻulu at UH West Oʻahu; filmmaker Alika Tengan; and Catherine Cruz, host of “The Conversation” on Hawai’i Public Radio. The award is presented in partnership with Pacific Islanders in Communications.
In a rare tie, two films shared the award for best feature film made in Hawai’i: Matty Schweizter’s “Lahaina Rising,” chronicling the nonprofit Lahaina Strong’s fight for accountability after the devastating wildfires, and Kimberlee Bassford’s “Before the Moon Falls,” a documentary following the pioneering Samoan writer Sia Figiel through dazzling triumphs and devastating setbacks, offering a deep meditation on the fragile line between creativity and madness.
Alexander Bocchieri’s “Dasher” won best short film made in Hawai’i, while Sonny Ganaden’s “The Arrangements” received an honorable mention. The Made in Hawai’i program, now in its ninth year, has awarded $1.3 million in cash, equipment and production services to local filmmakers to date, with support from the Hawai’i Film Office.
Hao Zhou’s “Correct Me If I’m Wrong,” a Chinese-German co-production exploring a southwestern Chinese family’s struggle with the identity of their queer heir, won best international short film. The Oscar qualifying award was praised by jurors for its “vulnerable and personal storytelling that delicately and gracefully immortalizes a heartbreaking practice.” Hung Yi Wu’s “The Fishbowl Girl” earned an honorable mention for its bold directorial vision.
“Kōkā” by Kath Akuhata-Brown won the Netpac Prize, selected by the jury for “its magical and moving intergenerational journey of healing and reconciliation through language, culture and community”. HIFF is the only U.S. festival authorized to award the Asia-Pacific Cinema Promotion Network Award, presented at major festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto.
The festival also presented special honors to industry figures. Japanese action director and choreographer Kenji Tanigaki received the Halekulani Maverick Award for his nearly three-decade career spanning titles including “Rurouni Kenshin,” “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” and “The Furious,” which had its world premiere at Midnight Madness in Toronto.
Comedian and performer Yuriyan Retriever won the Halekulani Vanguard Award, HIFF’s “Rising Star” honor. The Japanese talent, who became the country’s top solo actress and gained international attention through “America’s Got Talent,” recently made her directorial debut with “Mag Mag,” a meta-horror satire produced by K2 Pictures.
The Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award, presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications, was awarded to the Kānaka Maoli and Pacific Islander creative team behind Apple TV’s “Chief of War.” The series, created by Pa’a Sibbett and Jason Momoa, marks a historic achievement in bringing Hawaiian history, language and identity to the screen on a major production scale.
Veteran actress Nina Paw has been recognized as this year’s Hong Kong Filmmaker in Profile. Her career peaked with Ann Hui’s “The Way We Are” (2008), which won her Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards. HIFF screened the American premiere of Juno Mak’s “Sons of the Neon Night,” starring Paw.
The BMW Hawaii Driven Student Filmmaker Award went to Tiffany Liu, with honorable mentions for “The Remover” by Hunter Daru and “Clean.exe” by Lucas Stenvens.
“This year’s theme of Convergence reflects the heart of HIFF over the past decade, where stories, cultures and generations come together through the common language of cinema,” said Beckie Stocchetti, Executive Director of HIFF. “The 45th edition’s winners reflect both the artistic excellence of our filmmakers and their commitment to truth, community and the aloha spirit that connects us all.”
Audience Awards for Favorite Narrative Feature, Documentary and Short Film, presented by Hawai’i News Now, will be announced Nov. 17 following the Neighbor Island screenings.
HIFF45 WINNERS:
The Focket Star:
“Ky Nam Inn” (Vietnam) Director: Léon Le
Pasifika Price:
“Remathau: People of the Ocean” (United States) Director: Daniel H. Lin
Netpac Price:
“Kōkā” (New Zealand) Director: Kath Akuhata-Brown
Best international short film:
“Correct me if I’m wrong” (China, Germany) Director: Hao Zhou
Honorable mention: “The Fishbowl Girl” (Taiwan) Director: Hung Yi Wu
Best Made in Hawai’i item (tie):
“Lahaina Rising” (Hawaii, United States) Director: Matty Schweizter
“Before the Moon Falls” (Hawaii, United States) Director: Kimberlee Bassford
Best short film made in Hawaii:
“Dasher” (Hawaii, United States) Director: Alexander Bocchieri
Honorable Mention: “The Arrangements” (Hawaii, United States) Director: Sonny Ganaden
BMW Hawaii Driven Student Filmmaker Award:
Winning director: Tiffany Liu
Honorable Mentions: “The Remover” Director: Hunter Daru “Clean.exe” Director: Lucas Stenvens
Homistula Minderick district:
Kenji Tanigaki
Halekulani Avant-Garde Award:
Retriever Yurien
Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award:
“War Chief” Cultural Team
Profile of the Hong Kong filmmaker:
Nina Patte
