Six local films are among the 49 selections that will be screened during the 2015 Big Island Film Festival in South Kohala.
The “talk story” film festival, now in its 10th year, gets underway Thursday evening with a grand opening gala and film screening at The Shops at Mauna Lani. The celebration of films and film-making continues through Monday with free family films, a movie-themed food event, film screenings, celebrity social events and more.
The lineup of new, independent narrative films includes 13 films produced in Hawaii, among them six from the Big Island. Returning to the festival this year with a new sci-fi thriller is Cousins Brothers Productions of Honokaa which will present “Hangar 52 ‘We Are Not Alone.’”
Kona filmmakers are also represented, with the new feature “Project Z” by Richard Gonzalez and the short family film “Lost Dog” by Rockwood.
“2015 is shaping up to be a great year for short films, as well as our usual fine crop of feature films. The quality is outstanding,” the film festival’s Executive Director Leo Sears said in a prepared statement. “A short film only has 30 minutes or less to tell its story. It is an art of film-making that requires special skills. It’s not easy to do.”
Other Hawaii-made shorts include “Lihau’s Journey,” starring Leiomalama Solomon and directed by Ari Bernstein of Hawaii Preparatory Academy; Willy Navarro’s “Projection” and “Day Pass” a film by Oahu’s Erin Lau that was filmed on Hawaii Island. Brian Kohne and the Believers of Nonsense, of Maui, will present the world premier of “Nothing Goin’ On But the Rent” and Shooters Production will screen “The Fishing Club,” a story by Waikoloa author Catherine Tarleton that stars Robert Kekaula and Kealii Reichel.
The state is also is well-represented in the family feature film category, as well. “Under the Blood Red Sun,” based on Graham Salisbury’s award-winning novel, is one such film. Set on Oahu during the second world war, two young boys grow up quickly after the raid on Pearl Harbor, and help each other deal with its impact on their families, Japanese and American. It is directed by Tim Savage and stars Kyler Sakamoto.
The five-day festival also includes free family films at The Shops at Mauna Lani, as well as a new food event, “Taste of the Movies,” to honor the festival’s 10th anniversary with 10 top chefs presenting movie-themed cuisine. At The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, film buffs enjoy daytime movies and nightly double features, plus celebrity social events and workshops.
This year’s festival’s honorees are celebrities Arielle Kebbel and Will Estes. Kebbel appear at a salute and reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at The Fairmont Orchid’s Lehua Theatre. Cost is $35. Estes will appear at a salute and reception slated from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at The Fairmont Orchid’s Lehua Theatre. Cost is also $35. During the receptions, an award will be presented and the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions.
The festival will close Monday night with “Best of the Fest” featuring The Rough Riders in concert: Henry Kapono, John Cruz and Brother Noland. A limited number of ballots will be given to audience members during each screening. Votes are tallied at the end of the festival, to determine the Audience-choice Feature and Short to be screened at “Best of the Fest.”
Ticket prices vary by event. Movie admissions range from $8 to $16 with some kamaaina rates available. Special passes are also available; prices range from $30 to $425, depending on the package.
Reservations are needed for awards-related events and receptions. Prices at the door may be higher. Family films are free and offered two hours nightly.
For more information, including the schedule of when films will be screened, visit bigislandfilmfestival.com. Information is also available by calling the film festival office at 883-0394.
