The 39th edition of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) announced their Jury winners with the first ever Best Made In Hawai‘i Award going to MOLOKA‘I BOUND directed by Alika Maikau. The jurors also awarded a second place award to DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK IN WAIKĪKĪ, directed by Justyn Ah Chong. The jury also awarded an Honorable Mention to Ellsha Johnston for her role of Kiana in Chelsi Johnston’s film, DRIVING.

This year’s HIFF Best Documentary Short Film Award went to ST. LOUIS SUPERMAN, directed by Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan and the HIFF Best Narrative Short recipient is LILIU, directed by Jeremiah Tauamiti.

37 SECONDS directed by Hikari won the Ka’ū Ka Hōkū Filmmaker Award with honorable mentions to THEY SAY NOTHING STAYS THE SAME directed by Joe Odagiri, and HEARTS AND BONES directed by Ben Lawrence.

The NETPAC Award is presented annually at international film festivals and this year’s winner is ANOTHER CHILD by Yoon-Seok Kim.

Honorees were recognized for their commitment to excellence in their field, with the 2019 Halekulani Lifetime Achievement Award presented to director John Woo; the Halekulani Career Achievement Award was presented to Elisabeth Moss; the Halekulani Maverick Award to actor and writer Randall Park; and the 2019 HIFF Pacific Islanders in Communications Trailblazer Award was given to Stan Grant, a Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man, and one of Australia’s most-prominent advocates for Indigenous rights.

39th Hawai‘i International Film Festival Award Winners

Best Made In Hawai‘i Award:
MOLOKA‘I BOUND directed by Alika Maikau (First place)
DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK IN WAIKĪKĪ, directed by Justyn Ah Chong (Second place)

HIFF Best Overall Documentary Short:
ST. LOUIS SUPERMAN, directed by Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan

HIFF Best Overall Narrative Short:
LILIU, directed by Jeremiah Tauamiti

HIFF Ka’ū Ka Hōkū Filmmaker Award Presented by Hawai‘i an Airlines
37 SECONDS directed by Hikari

HIFF Ka’ū Ka Hōkū Honorable Mentions:
THEY SAY NOTHING STAYS THE SAME directed by Joe Odagiri
HEARTS AND BONES directed by Ben Lawrence.

NETPAC Winner: ANOTHER CHILD by Yoon-Seok Kim