"Our students have been invited by HIFF to screen their films in each of the four years of our existence," said Tom Brislin, ACM chair. "That's a critical recognition of the quality of our program and the extensive talents of our students. These films present authentic stories and images of Hawaii, Asia and the Pacific that could only be told from a local perspective. That's why audiences love our student films."

The student films and filmmakers are:

i "Shin" (Truth) by Jennifer Tokunaga, follows a young girl who sees the suffering she's caused, and finally faces responsibility for her actions.

i "First Impressions" by Jeremiah Tayao is a comedy about a date where everything that could go wrong — does.

i "Home Again" by Joelle-Lyn Sarte, a story about a fashion model who realizes it's more important to be a role model.

i "Atonement" by Seong Whang, a tense drama set against a convenience store robbery.

i "The Monkeyboy Fever" by Dane Neves, a delightful horror spoof that will make you think twice about those stuffed animals around the house.

i "Matalasi" by Dana Ledoux Miller, a bittersweet exploration into rebuilding a lost relationship.

i "Hong Kong Layover" by Henry Mochida, a lyrical journey that blends cityscape and dreamscape.

i "My Brother's Keeper" by Russell Blanchard, a gritty drama of revenge and redemption.

The films are also entered in the Video On Demand Viewer's Choice Award, co-sponsored by HIFF and Time Warner Oceanic Cable on the NGN-On-Demand Channel 680. "First Impressions" and "Matalasi" will have their first screening at HIFF's Movies at the Museum preview screening October 5 on the Hawai'i State Art Museum lawn.

The Oct. 21 evening screenings will be preceded at 3 p.m. by a program of student films from Shanghai University, a partner with ACM in the pioneering international Student Media Art (SMART) Exchange.

On the Web:

Academy for Creative Media: http://www.hawaii.edu/acm