The 45th Hawai’i International Film Festival wrapped its awards ceremony with a reception at the Halekulani Hotel, distributing $58,000 in prizes across categories celebrating international cinema, Pacific Island storytelling and homegrown Hawai’i talent.
Leon Le’s “Ky Nam Inn,” a tender Vietnam-set drama exploring grief and desire in post-conflict Saigon, claimed the Kau Ka Hōkū (Shooting Star) Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines. The prize recognizes emerging filmmakers working on their first or second feature.
“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 unspoken emotions. “Through its beautiful weaving of poetry, music, and literature, ‘Ky Nam’ not only tells a story — it reminds us of the quiet power of artistry rooted in humanity.”
The jury comprised Academy Award-nominated producer Diane Quon, Third Culture Content co-founder Janica Chua and David Magdael & Associates founder David Magdael.
Daniel H. Lin’s “Remathau: People of the Ocean” captured the Pasifika Award and its $5,000 cash prize. The documentary follows Micronesian explorer Nicole Yamase as she descends to the Mariana Trench while uncovering her identity and ancestral legacies.
“Our Pasifika Award recipient shines a light on the islands of Micronesia – often abused, misunderstood, and overlooked,” the jury stated. “Nicole, you are indeed our future and our hope.”
The Pasifika jury featured 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 Best Made in Hawai’i Feature honor: 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 trailblazing Samoan writer Sia Figiel through soaring triumphs and devastating setbacks, offering a profound meditation on the fragile line between creativity and madness.
Alexander Bocchieri’s “Dasher” won Best Made in Hawai’i Short, with Sonny Ganaden’s “The Arrangements” receiving 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, supported by the Hawai’i Film Office.
Hao Zhou’s “Correct Me If I’m Wrong,” a China-Germany co-production exploring a Southwest Chinese family’s struggle with their queer heir’s identity, took Best International Short. The Academy Award-qualifying prize came with praise from jurors for its “vulnerable and personal storytelling that delicately immortalizes a heartbreaking practice with grace.” Hung Yi Wu’s “The Fishbowl Girl” earned an honorable mention for bold directorial vision.
Kath Akuhata-Brown’s “Kōkā” won the Netpac Award, 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 present the Network for the Promotion of Asian-Pacific Cinema award, which is given at major fests including Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto.
The festival also presented special honors to industry figures. Japanese director and action 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 world premiered at Toronto’s Midnight Madness strand.
Comedian and performer Yuriyan Retriever claimed the Halekulani Vanguard Award, HIFF’s “rising star” honor. The Japanese talent, who became the country’s top solo comedian and gained international attention from “America’s Got Talent,” recently made her directorial debut with “Mag Mag,” a meta J-horror satire produced by K2 Pictures.
The Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award, presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications, went 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 at a major production scale.
Veteran actress Nina Paw received recognition as this year’s Hong Kong Filmmaker in Profile spotlight. Her career peaked with Ann Hui’s “The Way We Are” (2008), earning her Best Actress honors at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards. HIFF screened the U.S. premiere of Juno Mak’s “Sons of the Neon Night,” co-starring Paw.
The BMW Hawaii Driven Student Filmmaker Award went to Tiffany Liu, with honorable mentions for Hunter Daru’s “The Remover” and Lucas Stenvens’ “Clean.exe.”
“This year’s theme of convergence reflects the heart of HIFF over the last decade, where stories, cultures, and generations come together through the shared language of cinema,” said Beckie Stocchetti, HIFF executive director. “The 45th edition award winners reflect both the artistic excellence of our filmmakers and their commitment to truth, community, and the spirit of aloha 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 neighbor island screenings.
HIFF45 WINNERS:
Kau Ka Hōkū Award:
“Ky Nam Inn” (Vietnam) Director: Leon Le
Pasifika Award:
“Remathau: People of the Ocean” (U.S.) Director: Daniel H. Lin
Netpac Award:
“Kōkā” (New Zealand) Director: Kath Akuhata-Brown
Best International Short:
“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 Feature (tie):
“Lahaina Rising” (Hawai’i, U.S.) Director: Matty Schweizter
“Before the Moon Falls” (Hawai’i, U.S.) Director: Kimberlee Bassford
Best Made in Hawai’i Short:
“Dasher” (Hawai’i, U.S.) Director: Alexander Bocchieri
Honorable Mention: “The Arrangements” (Hawai’i, U.S.) Director: Sonny Ganaden
BMW Hawaii Driven Student Filmmaker Award:
Winner Director: Tiffany Liu
Honorable Mentions: “The Remover” Director: Hunter Daru “Clean.exe” Director: Lucas Stenvens
Halekulani Maverick Award:
Kenji Tanigaki
Halekulani Vanguard Award:
Yuriyan Retriever
Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award:
“Chief of War” Cultural Team
Hong Kong Filmmaker in Profile:
Nina Paw
Leave a Reply