Film festival to showcase state's young moviemakers

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

BOOTH: Chose 28 finalists from 69 entries Hawai'i Student Film Festival Tomorrow through Sunday Signature Theatres, Dole Cannery $3-$5; $5 opening night; panel discussions and seminars are free www.hiff.org or (808) 823-9208

This is the stuff that some of Hawai'i's youngest filmmakers felt were worthy of some showtime.

The cinematic visions of these filmmakers, nearly 30 local students in preschool through college, will come to fruition at the Hawai'i International Film Festival's third annual Hawai'i Student Film Festival, tomorrow through Sunday at Signature's Dole Cannery 18-Plex.

Event coordinator Paul Booth received 69 entries, compared with about 30 last year, from Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i and O'ahu. Booth then narrowed the selection to 28 entries, which include short films, feature films and documentary films.

"It was very difficult," said Booth, who tried to choose a variety of films from different islands and age groups. He also looked at the technical and sound qualities of each entry.

"This year there's at least eight or 10 that we pride ourselves on for quality," he said.

One of which, Booth said, is "Flash," by 18-year-old Punahou School student Jay Hanamura. The film is about "how a split moment can change a person's life," Hanamura said.

" 'Flash' is probably the most well-made piece we've ever gotten," said Booth, who complimented Hanamura's storytelling, editing and use of music. "The quality of it is like nothing we've ever seen," he said.

Another standout, Booth said, is "Silent Love," by 29-year-old Ken Sato, a part-time student at Leeward Community College.

"It's a quirky little love story about a guy who falls in love with a mime," Booth said. "It's a hilarious mockumentary."

Festival goers will also be treated to creations such as "Be Responsible," which emphasizes the importance of cleaning up the environment, by Hanalei Middle School student Tyler Newton, and "The Total Flower," an animated piece about the adventures of a flower, by Waiokeola preschooler Akiko Bates, the youngest filmmaker of the festival.

"I feel great about it because ... most people make films when they're older, but I'm only 5," said Bates, who added that she's proud of her hard work and "very interesting" movie.

In addition to screenings, there will be free workshops and panel discussions, such as "Breaking into the Film Industry" at 1 p.m. Saturday, with special guests Chuck Boller, Hawai'i International Film Festival executive director; Walea Constantinau, Honolulu film commissioner; Aaron Yamasato, award-winning animator and director; Ty Haller, instructor at the Vancouver Film School; and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who starred in "Planet of the Apes" and "Pearl Harbor."

There will also be a student exchange program at 6 p.m. Saturday, which will showcase student films from Boston, Phoenix, Seattle and Canada.

The festival takes place statewide, a first for the event, and includes screenings May 4 on Maui and May 5 on Moloka'i. Visit www.hiff.org or call (808) 823-9208 for details.