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March 25 - 28
Looking to see more than two films in-person? Consider our Hilo Palace Festival Pass for only $30. Purchase here.
SCHEDULE
HILO PALACE THEATER
(In-person only)
Limited capacity, socially distanced in-person screenings
View our COVID-19 safety protocols here.
Thursday 3/25| 7:00 - 9:00 pm
No Nā Kanaka
Our opening night block begins with a filmed hula performance by Na Halau Ha'a o Kea, a filmed musical performance by Kainani Kahaunaele with Emma Coloma-Nakano, and concludes with a selection of shorts exploring the experiences of the people of Hawai'i.
FILMS
Still from Down on the Sidewalk in Waikīkī
This project is sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, working to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians.
Friday 3/26 | 6:00 - 7:45 pm
Dramatic Shorts
A selection of eight dramatic short films.
FILMS
Still from Molokai Bound
Friday 3/26 | 8:15 - 10:15 pm
LATE NIGHT
horror, action, sci-fi
This "late night" block features nine horror, action and sci-fi films.
FILMS
Still from Hōkio
Sat 3/27 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Emerging
Six short narrative films from first-time filmmakers.
Still from Brown Bodies in a Far Sea
Sat 3/27 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
‘Āina
A block of six short documentary films exploring the island we call home and her many inhabitants.
FILMS
Still from Paradise Under Siege
Sat 3/27 | 4:00 - 5:30
MUSIC + COMEDY
A selection of music videos and comedy short films.
FILMS
Still from Three Reasons to Kiss
Sat 3/27 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm
An extension of the hit web series by the same name, this feature-length comedy directed by Jeff Orig follows Officer Ha Ming’s inadvertent rise in the ranks from lowly dispatcher to “real” cop in Hawaii’s worst police department.
Sun 3/28 | 12:00 - 2:00 pm
PORTRAITS IN MOTION
Seven documentaries that showcase unique, intimate portraitures of their subjects.
FILMS
Still from Rubyanna Mahina
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The directors behind MIHFF's three 2021 feature-length films share insight about how their films were made and explore their creative process with Barry Wurst II, founder of the Hawai'i Film Critics Society.
Sunday 3/28
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Virtual only
Sun 3/28 | 2:30 - 4:30
Episodic / Series
From mockumentary-style jungle explorations to wacky adventures in cannabis cooking, this block features six fun, fresh episodic episodes from some of Hawai'i's best content creators.
FILMS
Still from Like Maddah
Sun 3/28 | 5:00 - 6:30pm
Directed by Lisette Flanary, Tokyo Hula explores the explosive popularity of the hula dance in Japan from both Native Hawaiian and Japanese perspectives.
Sun 3/28 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Our closing night film directed by Sarah J Christman follows ten year old Manu and her mother as they catch swarms of wild honeybees in order to breed disease resistant colonies while her father takes part in the native Hawaiian movement to protect the sacred Mauna Kea mountain from the construction of a massive telescope.
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