Waikiki directed by Christoper Kahunahana won the top prize for Best Feature Film along with a Special Mention (Cinematography) at the 40th Hawai’i International Film Festival. In the film described by the festival as a “cinematic allegory of love and loss,” a hula dancer fights for survival and her sanity in the shadows of Waikiki for an unflinching glimpse into paradise where there remains hope through human connection and re-connection to ʻaina (nature).

The top Audience Awards went to Lumpia: With a Vengeance directed by Patricio Ginelsa for Best Narrative Feature and to Wagon directed by Aniston Eyre for Best Documentary Feature. Wagon, directed by high school filmmaker Aniston Eyre, is the first student film to win a HIFF audience award.

Winners of 40th Hawai’i International Film Festival Awards

MADE IN HAWAI‘I:

Best Feature Film: WAIKIKI

Best Short Film: HAWAIIAN SOUL

Special Mention (Acting): Malia Kamalani Soon in KAMAʻĀINA (CHILD OF THE LAND)

Special Mention (Animation): KAPAEMAHU

Special Mention (Cinematography): WAIKIKI

BEST SHORTS:

Best Narrative Short: YELLOW GIRL AND ME (Jamaica, USA)

Best Documentary Short: TO CALM THE PIG INSIDE (Philippines)

Special Mention (Actor): CHEN Yi-wen in GROWING PAINS (Taiwan)

Special Mention (Actress): Ebony McGuire in WIRUN (Australia)

Audience Awards

Narrative Feature: LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE (USA)

Documentary Feature: WAGON (USA, Hawai‘i)

Short Film: HAWAIIAN SOUL (USA, Hawai‘i)