"We really want to support independent filmmaking in Hawai'i and encourage students to consider careers in media. It is very exciting to see what is being produced at the (University of Hawai'i) Academy for Creative Media," Gillespie said.

The teacher pointed to one film about a Native Hawaiian musician, Steve Ma'i'i, produced by his son, Kaliko Palmeira Ma'i'i. "Hopefully, (it) will be an inspiration to my students to think about documenting their Hawaiian kupuna for posterity."

This year's festival features six short films.

"Kamea" was Akana-Sturla's thesis film for the graduate Film and Television Production Program at the University of Southern California. To have her film screened back home was a thrill. "It was awesome to screen in Hawai'i ... For the film to be so well received in Hawai'i was important to me," she said. "I was especially proud of and excited for my local cast."

• "Steve Ma'i'i" is a widely praised documentary about the life of local musician Steve Ma'i'i. Directed by the musician's son, Kaliko, the 15-minute short won the 2004 HIFF Blockbuster Audience Award for documentary film. Kaliko is a student at the Academy for Creative Media.

In making the documentary, Kaliko gained a new perspective on his father. "This was the first time that he revealed many stories to me that he was reluctant to tell (before)," said the younger Ma'i'i.

The documentary includes the elder Ma'i'i's experiences when the musician performed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It also includes footage of Ma'i'i during the '70s music scene and his days performing with singing partner Teresa Bright.

Kaliko was interested in his father's friendship with the late Hawaiian activist and musician George Helm. "I didn't even know that my dad knew Helm until I was 14," he said. "It blew me away to learn that my father was good friends with one of my heroes. I tried to ask him about Helm, but he always avoided me until I interviewed him for the documentary."

• In "Game Over," a career thug has a chance encounter with a little girl that helps him change his ways. The 11-minute short was directed, written and edited by Andrew Ma, also a student at the Academy for Creative Media. Ma chose to do that film because he's fascinated by how a lot of major life courses happen in a split second when "one stupid thing can change the rest of your life."

• "Sima Urale" is a 6-minute short about award-winning New Zealand filmmaker Sima Urale. Produced by Kamehameha Schools student Peio Pualoa, the film highlights Urale's visit to the school, during which she shares filmmaking secrets with student interviewers. Urale is "very positive about everything," says Pualoa. "She told us that (once) we kick the door open, everything else comes easily. I got more inspired to be a filmmaker after meeting her."

• "Kung Fusion" is a parody on kung fu films. The 10-minute short was produced by Ashley Fowler when she was a senior at Kalaheo High School. Now a freshman at Chapman University, Fowler said classes she took at Kalaheo's Communication Academy influenced her to major in film.