LOST: Television as the new cinema. A moderated discussion, followed by audience questions and answers.

WHEN: 12:30 tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 21

WHERE: Regal Dole Stadium Theatres 18, Honolulu

WHO: Castmembers Jorge Garcia, aka Hurley, Michael Emerson, aka Henry Gale/Benjamin Linus, and Ian Henry Cusack, aka Desmond; Jack Bender, director and executive producer, and Jean Higgins, executive producer. Moderator: Elizabeth Kieszkowski, features editor, The Honolulu Advertiser

With diminishing returns at the U.S. box-office for past few years, and growing critical and audience dissatisfaction with the packaged remake as movie attraction, movie-going is no longer the event that it used to be. Many observers feel television, on the other hand, is experiencing a renaissance of creative synergy, with expanded budgets, more available acting talent, and wider options for viewing provided by the advent of Tivo and DVD box set sales, which are growing exponentially.

Against this background, the television series "Lost" has been acclaimed for its remarkable, complex plotting and expansive mythology, along with a big-budget look and compelling, attractive actors. The appeal of "Lost" also reaches beyond conventional distribution. With the "Lost Experience" on the Internet, fan Web sites, books such as "Bad Twin" and advertisements perpetuating the "Lost" mythology while touting the Hanso Foundation, it adds up to groundbreaking television.

Tomorrow, Hawaii International Film Festival panel made up of producers and cast from the show will give insight on how television is the new creative medium, and how breaking conventions in television is attracting millions of fans from around the world.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

More than 250 feature films, documentaries, shorts and animations, representing 47 countries will be showcased at the Hawaii International Film Festival. O'ahu locations include Dole Cannery 18 Theatres and the Hawaii Theatre Center.