The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a film festival held in the United States state of Hawaii. It was started in 1981 by Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, led by Chuck Boller, Esq. from the late 90s through 2013, and has been held annually in the fall for two weeks. It also features two smaller festivals, a one-week festival in the Spring known as the "Spring Showcase" or the "Spring Fling" and a three-day Korean Film Festival in August called "K-Fest." 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 A Leading Man, Once Were Warriors, The Piano, Shine, Shall We Dance, Y Tu Mama Tambien and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The Hawaii International Film Festival is the only film festival that screens films across an entire state, with screenings in Honolulu, Waikiki, and Kaneohe. The festival also has encore screenings of films on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

The HIFF states that it "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." It is the largest such "East meets West" film festival in the United States.

The festival receives sponsorship from numerous corporations every year, with the largest contributor being Louis Vuitton. The festival is also known as the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.

Each year, renowned film critic Roger Ebert picks one film to be shown at HIFF and he sometimes travels to Hawaii in order to introduce it to the audience. The Festival gives out several awards: the top prize is named the Golden Maile and is also known as the First Hawaiian Bank Golden Maile Award. In 2004 an award for achievement in acting was given to Maggie Cheung, a second was awarded to Samuel L. Jackson in 2005. Sonny Chiba received Maverick Award in 2005. Ken Watanabe received honors in 2006.

##Awards

Best Narrative Feature

Best Documentary

NETPAC Award

Cinematography

Vision in Film

Hawai'i Filmmaker

##New American Filmmakers (NAF)

Since 2007, the Hawaii International Film Festival has partnered with the Vilcek Foundation to curate the New American Filmmakers program. Presented at the festival each year, New American Filmmakers seeks out the most talented foreign-born filmmakers currently contributing to American cinema. The result is a diverse program that draws upon cinematic genres and traditions from around the world.

2015 NAF Featured Films

2014 NAF Featured Films

2013 NAF Featured Films

2012 NAF Featured Films

2011 NAF Featured Films

2010 NAF Featured Films

2009 NAF Featured Films

2008 NAF Featured Films

2007 NAF Featured Films