As the vanguard forum of 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…
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A Review of IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT hiff.org
FWENDS Review | Video hiff.org
SOUND OF FALLING Review hiff.org
Lists
HIFF ʻŌpio Fest 2026 9 films
A list of the 2026 HIFF ʻŌpio Fest Features and Keiki Indigenous Shorts at the third annual HIFF ’Ōpio Fest…
HIFF45 All Feature Films 73 films
A list of all feature films screening at HIFF45.
Join us October 16-26,2025 at Consolidated Theatres Kahala. For more information…
HIFF45 Departures/Arrivals Shorts Program 5 films
This exceptional shorts program is all about the duality of life and death and how endings can actually mark the…
HIFF45 New American Perspectives Program 5 films
New American Perspectives shines a spotlight on immigrant artists and filmmakers. Supported by the Vilcek Foundation in partnership with Hawai'i…
HIFF45 Spotlight on Taiwan: New Voices, Enduring Visions 7 films
HIFF is proud to showcase its 2025 Spotlight on Taiwan, celebrating the island's rich cinematic tradition and vibrant new voices.…
HIFF45 Spotlight on Hong Kong 4 films
A list of the films in our HIFF45 Spotlight on Hong Kong program.
Join us October 16-26, 2025 at Consolidated…
Liked lists
Recent reviews
Based on the true story of American Samoa’s underdog soccer team, Taika Waititi blends his trademark sense of humor with heart and deep appreciation for Pacific culture. Following a Dutch-American coach and his attempts to lead one of the worst soccer teams in the world to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Waititi delivers a story with his signature style in this unlikely comedy-drama.
- Sean Oketani
Screened at HIFF Summer Flix.
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After the success of films such as LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (2023) and IN A VIOLENT NATURE (2024), horror streaming service Shudder has released another feature film for theatrical viewing titled ODDITY. Utilizing paranormal elements, ODDITY takes inspiration from films such as CREEPSHOW (1982) and CHILD’S PLAY (1988) through its use of haunted/possessed artifacts as the primary source of terror.
The film features Darcy (played by Carolyn Bracken), a blind psychic medium who attempts to uncover the truth behind…
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Premiering last fall on the opening night of HIFF43, UNCLE BULLY’S SURF SKOOL is a simultaneously inspiring and heartbreaking documentary. This film spotlights Bull Kotter, a selfless surf instructor in Lahaina, Maui who provides mentorship through surf lessons to underprivileged youth. The film’s direction takes on a new focus after the devastation of the August 8th Lahaina wildfires, becoming a powerful testament to the importance of community support and human connection in the wake of tragedy.
- Sean Oketani
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Continuing with the theme of serial killer thrillers, the long-anticipated LONGLEGS was released in theaters this past week. With heavy marketing campaigns touting it as “the scariest movie of the year”, the film hopes to terrify audiences with occult themes and a good old-fashioned murder mystery.
In this film, we are introduced to FBI agent Lee Harker (played by Maika Monroe) who is tasked with solving a case involving an occultist serial killer who goes by the name “Longlegs” (played…
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Liked reviews
"say something."
wong kar-wai films are almost always about yearning; about wanting someone you can't have. happy together is the opposite. it's about having someone you don't want, and loving them even though they're bad for you. it's about wanting something new but not wanting to leave the past behind. it's ugly and loud and aggressive. they yell and argue and tear each other apart when they're together, then silently cry when they're apart. but then, every once in a…
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eight thousand lifetimes
only begin to scratch the
surface of our hearts
///
I’m shivering as I write this review, bristling with elation for the best filmgoing experience I've had in 2023 so far. My favorite thing about watching a film is when it can reconnect me to memories and experiences of my own, and Past Lives unlocked profound introspection about my past and future love life.
For half of my college years, I was in a halfway-across-the-world long distance…
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Solid family drama from director Andrew Ahn. His debut, SPA NIGHT, is much stronger, but what he crafts is a quiet, heartwarming intergenerational friendship between an anxiety prone young boy and a Korean war vet. Both share common trait of lonliness and find comfort in each other. Hong Chau continues to shine as the single mom, who doesn't take shit from anyone. Overall, a sweet film but look forward to Ahn stretching his storytelling legs in his next one.
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