Key patron quits in HIFF tiff

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Dwight Damon, for two decades an influential supporter of Hawai'i International Film Festival, has resigned from the HIFF board and withdrawn his financial support.

Dwight Damon, a longtime HIFF board member and financial supporter, has departed over policy differences with the executive director. Advertiser library photo

Portnoy said Damon had become critical of the executive director, Chuck Boller, whose contract, which is annually reviewed, was renewed for a third season late last year.

With Damon's departure goes his sizeable $65,000 annual contribution to HIFF.

Damon's "contributions over the years kept the festival going, and he took on a prominent role," Portnoy said. "As we became an institution with a broader foundation, it became apparent to him that we were no longer dependent on one person, one voice. That was fine, until he had a falling out with Chuck (Boller).

"He wanted to have a say about what films should be programmed; the board felt that it was the responsibility of the executive director."

Three years ago, Damon also had a similar beef and artistic differences with Christian Gaines, who preceded Boller as executive director. At that time, Damon, who has not been available for comment and who has refused to discuss his falling out with Gaines, was able to sway board members to side with him, leading to Gaines' resignation. The terms of Gaines' departure included a financial settlement and a gag order forbidding him to discuss the terms of his termination. Gaines now is with the American Film Institute.

"It didn't work this time," said Portnoy about Damon's "him or me" ultimatum. "Unfortunately, when the board didn't agree with him and his list of complaints about Chuck (Boller), he decided he couldn't stay on, in any capacity. He could find no support from staff this time."

Boller also has not been available for comment.

Damon had been serving as the chairman of HIFF's film selection committee. His colleagues have said that he has never aspired to be executive director, but until last year, he always had clout to influence major HIFF policy decisions.

The organization now has 27 board members, Portnoy said, and is more resistant to influence from any one figure. "In the past, we've always depended on one or two individuals. Dwight struggled with the changing atmosphere a little bit, and sure, I would have preferred that he stayed on. But the choice was his — to stay or leave."

Damon's financial support will be missed, Portnoy said, but the board has been working to find major sponsors for the event.

The board is planning to work with Louis Vuitton as the title sponsor for the festival — now to be known as the Louis Vuitton Hawai'i International Film Festival for at least two years. The sum of the Vuitton grant has not been made public.

The 2001 festival attracted 57,000 viewers, a 7 percent increase over the previous year. A final financial report has yet to be released.

Despite its internal conflicts, the Hawai'i International Film Festival is moving forward with plans for two events in the next two months:

• A HIFF Oscar Night program, set for 5 p.m. March 24 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room and supported by a $25,000 grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. HIFF is one of 10 official "Oscar Night" sites approved by the Oscar organization.
• The HIFF Spring Film Festival, scheduled for April 19-25 at the Waikiki Theatres. A roster of spring films will be announced in March, said Anderson Le, a member of the film selection committee.