HIFF41

I've been going to HIFF since the very beginning in the 80s back when they were still using Varcity Theater (sorry don't know if I spelled correctly) since sadly they don't exist anymore today But great memories back then movies were Free ! The problem with that was many people picked up bunches and never attended so Even after sold out I still stood in line and Always Got In ! Today forty (40) plus years later they still bring Asian Films where you able to see in Wide Screen Cinema Nowhere but on TV or tablets Do No Justice they say : they are bringing "international cinematic achievement in the Asia-Pacific region, Hawai'i International Film Festival (HIFF) endeavors to recognize new and emerging talent, promote career development and original collaborations through innovative education programs," I know that school children have a free outing for a day to watch children's Anime Films on Big Screen for the First time l. . . And remember well when I took my daughter for her first Disney Film she stood on the chair excited pointing " Big TV" As the movie begins priceless ! Here's the Secret I now buy a HIFF Pass that enables you access to any films That way No standing in long lines and able to walk out and see next door film when there's two films you'd wanted to watch ! Another secret pending documentary of SpenceCliff Restaurants two brothers who started over 30 restaurants here in Hawaii ( do you remember any of your favorite) ? They All don't Exist anymore today sadly But ! daughter Chantel is making a documentary film in Horner of her father . . don't know if they're able to finish in time for Spring but told her to enter if not the Biggest HIFF Event is in November 2024 ! See you at the movie

The Hawaii International Film Festival 41 kicked off with both online and in real life screening after taking a break from IRL the last couple of years.Thank you to HIFF41 and Yelp Community Manager Jess for gifting us Elites a free pass for an online movie viewing. If I didn't receive that pass I might not have realized how great the Festival was this year. I might not have purchased and seen a handful of HIFF movies online. I might not have noticed the employment section online. I don't think I would have ventured into the newly renovated Kahala Theatres to see a HIFF movie IRL (I actually saw four IRL and so far two online !). And I probably wouldn't have volunteered to help out IRL. But I did, all of that, and had such a great experience! Thanks HIFF and Yelp CM Manager Jess for all that you do!

Mahalo Yelp Hawaii and HIFF for the free tickets to an online showing! HIFF is in its 41st year and there are hundreds of movies to choose from: documentaries, narrative films, and new for this year - shows. I had no idea how easy watching online would be. HIFF has a streaming app, which we installed and used on our Amazon Firestick. It gives you the option for a single code or to input a season pass; either way it's easy and fast. The streaming quality is also fantastic, like watching a movie in HD.The biggest issue we had was choosing a movie. We narrowed down the list of hundreds to around a dozen and finally settled on one: "Come Back Anytime" about the history and life of the owner of a ramen shop in Tokyo. It was a genuinely happy documentary that was really about finding happiness in what you're given. A positive about having a list of other movies is we plan to stream a few while the festival is running. Be sure to check out the dates each movie is available. Movies cost about $8 to stream; we made a donation this time instead. Each plays with a welcome video about HIFF and its volunteers.If you're still feeling unsafe going a theatre, support HIFF and watch at home!

I waited until the last day to use my code and I was one of the unfortunate people who had technical difficulties lol. First, the code said it was invalid. Then I figured out I needed to enter it in the extra code area. It worked!But then... I tried to play the movie and it said "ERROR the content is unavailable in your region". This was after I had driven across town to watch it on a friend's giant Apple TV. And made popcorn. Major friendship fail. After repeated attempts, both of us were flustered and sad that we weren't gunna get to watch "American-ish". My friend dated an Indian Muslim for 4 years and recently broke up so we thought it would be a funny reflection on that relationship.With a bowl of cold popcorn in hand, and a lot of "WTFs", I noticed a phone number to call for "technical assistance". I called it at 7:40pm on 11/28 and hallelujah SOMEONE ANSWERED!! The guy reset my code and let us know a long list of reasons why it's not easy to watch a HIFF film from home... but we were finally able to get it to work from her computer on the Apple TV. Apparently you can't screencast to an Apple TV on your phone bc of firewall issues. Who knew it would be so hard? Oh well, it finally worked and we had a good laugh and many "yep, I remember that" about her dating experience. I'm grateful for a free screening and a human on the other end to help us out. Sharing constructive feedback so hopefully HIFF can improve the user experience next year!

I was excited to be one of the Yelpers to receive a complimentary showing of one of the HIFF41 online movies for 2021. As I perused through all ofthe choices, I narrowed it down to 3. One was a documentary about North Korea and South Korea, another was an Indian Romantic Comedy,and the last was about a Filipino family in Canada. I chose the latter.I chose a movie that started online today, Monday, 11/15. It runs through Monday, 11/28. I also downloaded the HIFF app on my Amazon TV. It says enter a code. I checked for the 9 digit code that was emailed to me and inputted it and started watching the movie, "Islands". "Islands", is a quaint movie about a family from the Philippines who have immigrated to Canada. Its protagonist is an older son living with his much older parents. It shows how he interacts with his family. When his mother dies, he must learn how to cope taking care of his father and the choices he must make to fulfill his responsibilities. This movie also shows that his brother who has a Canadian wife and their kids are also part of his life. This shy older Filipino man also has feelings for his cousin that comes over and eventually is asked to take care of his ailing father. Through his cousins influence, he learns how to cook and opens up a bit by interacting with his cousin. As the movie progresses when his father passes and his cousin goes back to the Philippines, we see that the man has grown. He is still influenced by his religion but, he has learned how to live alone and be happy and come out of his shell. We finally see him smiling as the movie ends as he is dancing at a familiar place where his parents used to go for camaraderie and companionship with fellow Filipino countrymen.Thank you YELP and HIFF41 for the wonderful movies being shown to the public. I remember many years ago when the HIFF was held at Leeward Community College and watching many different movies with my mom and how it has grown over the years.

Thank you Yelp and HIFF for the opportunity of being one of the 60 recipients of a free online movie ticket. I choose the move called - Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched- a documentary on horror movies around the world. I was most interested in the Russian ghost stories which were pretty eerie and not easily accessible. The only negative was the length of the film but hearing the enthusiasm of the director and other narrators made the movie easier to watch. Showed the art of horror without the gore of a crazed killer. It was an unique movie among the usual dramas, hawaiian/polynesian and animation type of offerings. Have always attended HIFF when Chuck Boeller was Executive Director and I have volunteered a couple of times - he was gracious to invite us to his home for a picnic in an exclusive part of the islandKeep up the entertaining work!!!

Wonderful experience as always. Thank you so much for the opportunity to watch a great film!! Watched "James and Isey". It was hilarious!! I liked the chemistry between them and it was nice to see the beautiful sights of New Zealand. A feel-good movie I'd like to reccomend a watch.I like that there is an option to watch virtually (besides the crazy times we are in now). I know watching movies in the theater is an experience, but sometimes watching at home snuggled under a blanket is the best.

This was such a great event. I always want to watch HIFF movies. There were so many to choose from; I recruited my husband for help. We narrowed it down to Americanish and 7 Days. We chose Americanish for this event and watched 7 Days on our own. Both movies did not disappoint. The format for the event was pretty cool. This event included a digital version of the movie but I saw that there were in-person showings as well. Overall, any HIFF movie you watch is bound to be entertaining!

First film festival (albeit online, but I'll still take it!) and hopefully not my last! Navigation and research on prospective films didn't fare well on mobile browsing but I learned it was much easier online from a tablet or laptop. The HIFF41 program guide offers both an in-person schedule, online schedule, and a large selection of free films as well. I opted for the film "The Pursuit of Perfection" which follows four amazing Japanese chefs who produce exquisite works of art in the expression of food with the utmost delicacy. Despite their amazing works and reputations to uphold, the film also highlights their respective hardships when it comes to honing their craft and pursuing something that seems so elusive. As a self-proclaimed foodie and in anticipation of a future trip to Japan, I was very excited for this film. I learned about tuna brokers and rice brokers, the calculation and science of cooking perfect rice for sushi, the art of kaiseki cuisine, and so much more. It's definitely got my travel bug itching and the mouth-watering photography was a food-lover's dream! Highly recommend supporting the 2021 HIFF41 program and watching "The Pursuit of Perfection" (but maybe not on an empty stomach lol)!

So stoked to have received a HIFF Code! This is one of the best events in Hawaii every year. I ended up donating money even though I received this free code to enjoy one screening. We gotta keep supporting organizations like this! I used to volunteer for them when I was younger and had time for 4 internships while going to business school lol. But now that I'm older and actually am making money, I watch films and donate! I used the code to watch the Hawaii Made short films. It was worth it. I am SO AMAZED at all the local talent we have here! I think my favorite shorts was the Ala Moana Boys and River of Small Gods. Soooo soo good. I highly recommend!Thank you HIFF and Yelp for putting this together for us!