29th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival Honors Films from Okinawa
Honolulu, HI, October 24, 2009 --(PR.com)-- This year, the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is pleased to distinguish three films shot on location on the beautiful island of Okinawa in their newest spotlight category Spotlight on Okinawa. The screenings are sponsored by Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Association (WUB), Nippon Golden Network and the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Two of the films, Cobalt Blue and A Midsummer Okinawa’s Night Dream, are having their U.S. premieres. The Festival also will present one of the most popular Okinawan films in recent memory, Nada Sou Sou (Tears For You).
"Okinawa and Hawaii has, perhaps, the strongest cultural bond among Hawaii's rich multicultural community." says Anderson Le, HIFF's Director of Programming. "For example, Nada Sou Sou is perhaps one of the most popular songs among the Okinawan community, yet many people have never seen the film that it was based from. Now they can at HIFF!"
The three films have very different themes. Cobalt Blue is the dramatic story of three friends who grow up together on the remote island and how their lives change into adulthood. After more than 400 years, Shakespeare’s works still capture audiences and film lovers are sure to laugh while watching A Midsummer Okinawa’s Night Dream. And Nada Sou Sou is the story of siblings growing up and struggling through life’s ups and downs.
Over 170 films from 36 different countries will be featured at this year’s festival. HIFF’s 2009 program is being held at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters from October 15–25. Tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets are available for $10 or $9 for students, seniors, children and military. Tickets may be purchased in person at HIFF’s box office at 650 Iwilei Road #101 across from Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters or by phone at (808) 548-5905. The film guide is available now online at www.hiff.org. For more information please visit them at www.hiff.org.
Festival Information
Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders throughout the world. For the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific features, documentaries and short films in the nation, it is a primary source. The festival has premiered such movies as Once Were Warriors, The Piano, Shine, Shall We Dance, Y Tu Mama Tambien and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Plus, Departures, a Japanese film, had its U.S. premiere at HIFF in 2008, won the HIFF Audience Award and then went on to win the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
HIFF’s major sponsors include: Regal Entertainment Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Halekulani, Hawaii Tourism Authority and The VILCEK Foundation.
The 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival will be held October 15-25. For more information please visit their website at www.hiff.org.
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Two of the films, Cobalt Blue and A Midsummer Okinawa’s Night Dream, are having their U.S. premieres. The Festival also will present one of the most popular Okinawan films in recent memory, Nada Sou Sou (Tears For You).
"Okinawa and Hawaii has, perhaps, the strongest cultural bond among Hawaii's rich multicultural community." says Anderson Le, HIFF's Director of Programming. "For example, Nada Sou Sou is perhaps one of the most popular songs among the Okinawan community, yet many people have never seen the film that it was based from. Now they can at HIFF!"
The three films have very different themes. Cobalt Blue is the dramatic story of three friends who grow up together on the remote island and how their lives change into adulthood. After more than 400 years, Shakespeare’s works still capture audiences and film lovers are sure to laugh while watching A Midsummer Okinawa’s Night Dream. And Nada Sou Sou is the story of siblings growing up and struggling through life’s ups and downs.
Over 170 films from 36 different countries will be featured at this year’s festival. HIFF’s 2009 program is being held at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters from October 15–25. Tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets are available for $10 or $9 for students, seniors, children and military. Tickets may be purchased in person at HIFF’s box office at 650 Iwilei Road #101 across from Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters or by phone at (808) 548-5905. The film guide is available now online at www.hiff.org. For more information please visit them at www.hiff.org.
Festival Information
Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders throughout the world. For the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific features, documentaries and short films in the nation, it is a primary source. The festival has premiered such movies as Once Were Warriors, The Piano, Shine, Shall We Dance, Y Tu Mama Tambien and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Plus, Departures, a Japanese film, had its U.S. premiere at HIFF in 2008, won the HIFF Audience Award and then went on to win the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
HIFF’s major sponsors include: Regal Entertainment Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Halekulani, Hawaii Tourism Authority and The VILCEK Foundation.
The 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival will be held October 15-25. For more information please visit their website at www.hiff.org.
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Contact
HIFF
Chimaine Poteau
808.237.3678
www.hawaiipacificentertainment.com
Chimaine Poteau
808.237.3678
www.hawaiipacificentertainment.com
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