Hawaii International Film Festival (39th Annual)

November 07, 2019 – November 17, 2019:
Hawaii International Film Festival (39th Annual). ”HIFF is a must attend” (Entertainment Weekly), “the premiere American showcase for Asian cinema” (Hollywood Reporter) and “a launching pad for early films by younger directors” (Roger Ebert). HIFF is the festival of record for emerging works from the Pacific Rim, a destination of award winning films from major film festivals around the world, and an incubator for Hawaii-based and Native Hawaiian works that come from the vibrant and local creative industries. The festival has featured premiere screenings of many acclaimed films, including festival premieres such as SHOPLIFTERS, MOONLIGHT, THE HOST, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and many more. Past honorees include Quentin Tarantino, Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou, Samuel L Jackson, Koji Yakusho and Maggie Cheung, who all received lifetime achievement awards. Other guests include legendary Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, CHUNGKING EXPRESS), Japanese actor Ken Watanabe (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, LAST SAMURAI), anime master Satoshi Kon (PAPRIKA, MILLENNIUM ACTRESS, PERFECT BLUE), and New Zealand impresarios Jemaine Clement (FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS) and Taika Waititi. The 39th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival will be held November 7-17 2019 and will mark the festival’s 39th edition with a special focus on contemporary Asian, Pacific, and North American cinema, films produced in Hawaii, outdoor screenings, and our Student Showcase for filmmakers under 18 from Hawaii.