The Hawaii International Film Festival is bringing cinema from around the world to Hilo at the historic Palace Theater today through Sunday.
Included in the lineup are titles from New Zealand, Japan and 13 short films shot in Hawaii, including six made on the Big Island.
“HIFF is fantastic, because they do a great job finding films from around the world along with locally made films,” said Hilo filmmaker Zoe Eisenberg. “It’s difficult to see beautiful, independent films from other countries, so it’s wonderful to have this opportunity.”
Four of the Big Island short films will play in the Made in Hawaii Shorts Program beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Palace.
Eisenberg will be showing the short film she directed, “Racket,” which was shot at the theater. The story begins with two clowns breaking up before an aerial circus, and then it follows one of the clowns into the theater.
“Showing a film that is set in Hilo, and specifically the Palace, where it will be playing for the community, is so special for me,” Eisenberg said.
Eisenberg also produced “Bury It,” a Kona-set 1970s period drama directed by Andrew Williamson.
“’Bury It’ is based on a personal story that will really connect with some audiences,” Eisenberg said. “These films were not made to sit on a shelf, and I think it’s important for the community to see these films that they can really sink their teeth into.”
“The Last Rodeo,” a documentary directed by Liz Barney and Alison Week, follows La‘i Bertlemann as she prepares to graduate from high school and grapples with whether to accept a full-ride scholarship to a university on the mainland or stay home in Hawaii to study her culture and spend time with her aging grandfather.
As a direct descendant from a long line of paniolo, Bertlemann has the opportunity to continue her family’s legacy, but the mainland has its own attractions. The documentary was filmed at Parker Ranch and follows Bertlemann and her family through these decisions.
“As we volunteered filming the high school rodeos, we discovered La‘i’s own decision around the question of “should I stay or should I go,” which provided a narrative arc that illustrated the question many ranchers are currently facing,” Barney said.
The sci-fi drama, “Kronos,” directed by Ara Laylo, will also be screened Saturday night.
The film follows Daniel after he wakes up in an empty house in the middle of the Hamakua Coast and begins to experience different levels of emotional revelations.
Two Big Island films will wrap up the festival on Sunday beginning with a 2 p.m. showing of “Inheritance,” written by Justin Omori and directed by Erin Lau.
The family drama is set in Kalapana as it follows a struggling lava photographer. The film had support from Netflix and Tribeca Studios.
The story was written by Lau’s partner, Omori, who is a fifth-generation Japanese man whose family is from Hilo.
The story is loosely based on his family, especially his father, Bruce Omori, a lava photographer.
“We had conversations about ancestors and what we inherit from them. Those many conversations blossomed into this film,” Lau said. “I hope it reminds people of the generations of sacrifice of ancestors that brought us to this moment. We have a responsibility to heal ourselves and our community, so we can give better things to children in next generation.”
Lau and Omori were surprised and excited when “Inheritance” recently won the Hawaii Best Short Award.
“It is a huge honor, because HIFF was the festival I was volunteering at 17 years old. It was the festival that opened my eyes to what the best of filmmaking can be,” Lau said. “I’m so proud of local films this year. The work is incredible, and I’m deeply proud of all of them and so excited for future of local filmmaking.”
“Kapu – Sacred Hawaiian Burials” by Puna’s Keoni Alvarez will be the last Hawaii Island film shown during HIFF at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The documentary follows Alvarez after he stumbled on a secret cave in the forest of Puna. Inside the cave were iwi, sacred bones of Kanaka Maoli. Years later, he’s faced with a powerful, wealthy outsider who threatens to plow through the cave near his home.
“I’m excited to be sharing this film after so long. I’ve been working on it since I was 18 years old, so this is a good 20-year project,” Alvarez said. “This story is my story, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to save the cave or not. But I’m glad for the time it took, because I learned so much along the way.”
Alvarez traveled to different islands and spoke to kupuna about the cultural importance of burial sites, which helped him write books and further develop his film.
“Doing something for our kupuna, our ancestors was very gratifying for me. These burials are places of rest for real people, and making this film was all about respect and sharing our culture,” Alvarez said.
Other Hawaii-set films being showcased are: “The Story of Everything,” which is based on the theater performance conceived by Hawaii Poet Laureate Kealoha, “Po‘ele Wai” by Tiare Ribeaux, “A Tale of Two Sisters” directed by Angelique Kalani Axelrode, “A Hui Ho” directed by Kainoa Presbitero, “Lahi” directed by Reina Gabriela Bonta, “Mano” directed by Brittany Biggs, “E Malama Pono Willy Boy” directed by Scott K. Kekama Amona, “After The Endling” directed by Daniel A. Kelin, II, and “Ready Forward” directed by Jim Jost.
Many of the Hawaii-made shorts were filmed with support from the ‘Ohina Filmmakers lab, an Oahu-based creative incubator.
“We’re excited to welcome HIFF back to Hilo, and are enthusiastic about the lineup of many locally made films, not only from Hawaii, but specifically from Hawaii Island,” said Phillips Payson, the Palace Theater’s executive director.
The theater also is sporting fresh neon and newly made-over concessions area during HIFF. Tickets are available now at www.hilopalace.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
