Hawaii International Film Festival announces 2025 award winners

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COURTESY HAWAI’I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

“Lahaina Rising,” director Matty Schweitzer’s film documenting the destruction of Lahaina and it’s lasting impact on the people who lived there, was one of two recipients of the HIFF45 “Made In Hawaii Feature Award.”

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COURTESY HAWAI’I INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

“Before The Moon Falls,” Hawaii-based filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford’s exploration of the complexities of untreated mental illness and its ripple effect on families and communities, was one of two recipients of the HIFF45 “Made In Hawaii Feature Award.”

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STHANLEE B. MIRADOR/HIFF/SIPA USA

Yuriyan Retriever received the HIFF45 Halekulani Vanguard Award at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival.

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STHANLEE B. MIRADOR/HIFF/SIPA USA

International film industry veteran director/actor/fight choreographer Kenji Tanigaki received the HIFF45 Maverick Award at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival.

Imagination, artistic excellence and lifetime career achievements were celebrated in gala style tonight at the Hawaii International Film Festival HIFF45 Awards Ceremony & Reception at the Halekulani Hotel. HIFF adjudicator panels notably named multiple honorees or honorable mentions in the Made In Hawaii film categories.

The Pacific Islanders in Communications adjudicators bestowed the Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award for “a cinema artist of Pacific Islandrer heritage” on “the Kanaka Maoli and Pacific Islander creative team behind ‘Chief of War.’” Recipients included creator/showrunner Pa‘a Sibbett, creator/director/producer/star Jason Momoa, producers Brian Keaulana and Angela Laprete, and “an extraordinary team of department heads and cultural advisors.”

International film industry award recipients Yuriyan Retriever (HIFF45 Halekulani New Vanguard Award) and Kenji Tanigaki (HIFF45 Halekulani Maverick Award) brought more star power to the evening.

Hawaii International Film Festival HIFF45 Awards:

HIFF45 Halekulani Vision in Film Award: Park Chan-Wook

HIFF45 Halekulani Maverick Award: Kenji Tanigaki

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HIFF45 Halekulani New Vanguard Award: Yuriyan Retriever

HIFF Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award: “The Kanaka Maoli and Pacific Islander creative team behind ‘Chief of War’ (Apple TV+)”

Spotlight on Hong Kong: Hong Kong Filmmaker In Profile: Nina Paw

Kau Ka Hoku Award: “Ky Nam Inn” (Vietnam) Director: Leon Le

Pasifika Award: “Remathau: “People of the Ocean” (Hawai‘i, USA) Director: Daniel H Lin

Best Short Film: “Correct Me If I’m Wrong” (China, Germany) – Director: Hao Zhou

(Honorable Mention “for Bold Directorial Vision in Narrative Storytelling”): “The Fishbowl Girl” (Taiwan) – Director: Hung Yi Wu

NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian-Pacific Cinema) Award: “KoKa” (New Zealand, Aotearoa) -Director: Kath Akuhata-Brown

>>Made in Hawaii Awards:

Made in Hawaii Feature (tie):

“Lahaina Rising” – Director: Matty Schweizter

“Before The Moon Falls” – Director: Kimberlee Bassford

Made in Hawaii Short Film: “Dasher” – Director: Alexander Bocchieri

(Honorable Mention): “The Arrangements” – Director: Sonny Ganaden

BMW Hawai‘i Driven Student Filmmaker Award: “Winner” – Director: Tiffany Liu, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

(Honorable Mention): “The Remover” – Director: Hunter Daru, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

(Honorable Mention): “CLEAN.EXE” – Director: Lucas Stevens, Kapi‘iolani CC

The HIFF Audience Awards for Favorite Narrative Feature, Documentary and Short Film will be announced on Nov. 17, following all neighbor island screenings. Vote at hiff.org/vote)

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