With 254 films from a record 47 countries, the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival has never been quite so, well, international.

The big-name opening-night selection is Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu's highly anticipated multinational epic, "Babel," which was shot on three continents in four languages (and stars Brad Pitt). There are productions from France, Argentina, China, Japan, Turkey, Italy, Iceland, Russia, the United Kingdom and many others. And this year's festival spotlights cinema from Southeast Asia, with cutting-edge work from the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The festival runs Oct. 19 to 29 at venues around Hono-lulu.

HIFF has long been recognized as a premier showcase of Asian cinema in the U.S. With increasing Hollywood interest in Asian films, the festival's programming decisions have taken on added significance.

This year's Southeast Asia focus, for example, could help bring overdue attention to the region's rising film industries.

The new wave of Pinoy filmmakers is highlighted in the festival's Filipino Focus, honoring the Filipino centennial in Hawai'i. Featured films include "The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros" and "Circumcision" by director Auraeu Solito, "Just Like Before" by Mike Sandejas, and "Summer Heat" by Brillante Mendoza.

The Filipino Focus emphasizes the Hawai'i connection with Emme Tomimbang's "Mabuhay with Aloha," the official documentary of the Filipino Centennial Commission, and local filmmaker Stephanie Castillo's "Strange Land: My Mother's War Bride Story."

Another Filipino film, Jeffrey Jeturian's "Bet Collector," is among the numerous U.S premieres at this year's festival.

Another HIFF focus, "Vietnam Redux," is a cinematic exploration of the Vietnamese Diaspora, a social phenomenon that has greatly diversified Vietnam's traditionally tightly controlled film industry.

"There's been a generational shift," explains HIFF director of programming Anderson Le. "What you have now are young directors who are Western-trained but still true to their cultural roots."

Vietnam's new creative liberty is evident in films such as "Kieu," which examines mythical and contemporary feminine figures in the story of a massage parlor worker, and "Saigon Love Story," a romance with strong class overtones.

This year HIFF revives its "Comedy Focus" programming with four films: "Asian Stories Book III" (U.S.), "Catch" (Taiwan), "Crazy Stone" (China) and "Metrosexual" (Thailand). The series concludes with "Cinema of Laughs," a free panel discussion with the directors of each film.

The festival's designated "centerpiece" film is Bong Joo-ho's "The Host," South Korea's top-grossing film of all time. A big hit at Cannes, "The Host" transcends the genre by operating as a geopolitical and ecological parable as well as a compelling family story.

"It's Spielberg-like," said Le.

The festival closes with the Japanese film "Hula Girls," based on the true story of a small town that reverses its economic fortunes by building a Hawaiian village tourist attraction. (The soundtrack features local artists Na Leo and Jake Shimabukuro.)

Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 is once again the festival hub, with additional screenings at Hawai'i Theatre and NextDoor.

The festival is also expanding its presence in Waikiki — and the visitor market — with four consecutive nights at Sunset on the Beach. On the outdoor big screen will be the Canadian documentary "Sharkwater," "Na Kamalei: Men of Hula," "Tow-in Surfing," and "Check It Out, Yo," a quirky film about an Okinawan hip-hop outfit with a special appearance by Hawai'i's own Konishiki.

HIFF's two special honorees are also an intriguing meeting of East and West: Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai") and iconic Gen-X director Kevin "Silent Bob" Smith ("Clerks," "Dogma").

Watanabe will receive HIFF's Achievement in Acting Award; Smith, the festival's Maverick Award. Both will participate in separate live discussions.

Also making a special appearance at the festival is Korean heartthrob Shin Hyeon-joon, who will be on hand to promote his new film "Marrying the Mafia: Rebirth of the Family." If last year's appearance by Lee Byung-hun is any indication, Shin can expect a Beatleseque reception by local Korean soap fans.

Aside from the films and panel discussions, HIFF is also branching out into the club scene with a special musical event featuring Gorillaz producer Dan the Automator and Far*East Movement at the O Lounge.

Note: Thanks to HIFF's new partnership with sponsor Halekulani, the "Golden Palm" award has been renamed the "Golden Orchid."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.