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Pacific Cinewaves

In our fortified commitment to amplify Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, Pacific Cinewaves programming celebrates stories and storytellers emerging from Hawai’i, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Guåhan (Guam), Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Samoa, and throughout the Pacific region.

Pacific Cinewaves

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS

Film A TALE OF TWO SISTERS Directed by Angelique Kalani Axelrode Blending narrative and movement based storytelling, two sisters overcome tension in their relationship; inspired by the mo‘olelo of…
Pacific Cinewaves, Shorts Programs, VC Presents

ARMED WITH A CAMERA VOL. 2023

Program ARMED WITH A CAMERA VOL. 2023 Join us in a special opening night with a program of films by the Armed with a Camera…
Pacific Cinewaves

AS THE WATER DARKENS

Film AS THE WATER DARKENS Directed by Tiare Ribeaux While navigating between survival and her connection to the land, a weaver experiences a transformation when she finds…
Pacific Cinewaves

BUTTERFLY/BATAPLAI

Film BUTTERFLY/BATAPLAI Directed by Veialu Aila-Unsworth A Papua New Guinean/American woman challenges her evangelist father's strict rules to find her voice as a makeup…
Cinema Musica, Pacific Cinewaves

CAN’T WAIT

Film CAN’T WAIT Directed by & Edwin “Sadboiii” Martinez, Lavelle “Velle Vell” Gamble, Mewael “Mobeats” Michael, Stephanie “Soultree” Camba, Uran “Kabashi” Kabashi Nostalgia and Nature intertwine in this jazzy Chicagoan music video that explores mental health, herbalism, and the relationships…
Pacific Cinewaves

E MĀLAMA PONO, WILLY BOY

Film E MĀLAMA PONO, WILLY BOY Directed by Scott W. Kekama Amona A Native Hawaiian police officer is forced to choose between supporting his family, upholding the law, and doing…
Pacific Cinewaves

EYES AND EARS

Film EYES AND EARS Directed by Tahuaroa Ohia To six-year-old Ben, the world is full of loud noises and frightening images. As Ben struggles with everyday…
Pacific Cinewaves

FILI

Film FILI Directed by Peter Filimaua Fili, a young Samoan American, is torn between following his father's footsteps in playing football and pursuing his…
Pacific Cinewaves

FIND WHERE I BELONG

Film FIND WHERE I BELONG Directed by Kahu KAIHA Elvis, a homeless teenager must find courage to leave the street life in order to return to his…
Pacific Cinewaves

FOLLOW ME HOME

Film FOLLOW ME HOME Directed by Derek Felipe, Fa'avae Fa'avae, Michael Gray When a young Pacific Islander boy, in search for his identity, grows up in a neighborhood clothed by…
Pacific Cinewaves, Shorts Programs

INDIGENOUS NOW!

Program INDIGENOUS NOW! There are 476 million Indigenous people around the world; a vast majority of their homelands are connected to…
Pacific Cinewaves

INHERITANCE

Film INHERITANCE Directed by Erin Lau A struggling nature photographer is forced to confront the pain his family has carried for generations.
Pacific Cinewaves

KA ʻĀʻUMEʻUME: NAVIGATING HOME

Film KA ʻĀʻUMEʻUME: NAVIGATING HOME Directed by M. Kaleipumehana Cabral Six Kānaka ʻŌiwi weave a story of grief, hope, wisdom, and struggle in navigating diaspora and returning to…
Narrative Programs, Pacific Cinewaves

KĀINGA

Film KĀINGA Directed by Angeline Loo, Asuka Sylvie, Ghazaleh Golbakhsh, HASH, Julie Zhu, Michelle Ang, Nahyeon Lee, Yamin Tun Pan Asian women’s confronting and comforting stories of becoming and being ‘at home’ in
Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pacific Cinewaves

KE KAHEA: AN INVITATION INTO SACRED SPACE

Film KE KAHEA: AN INVITATION INTO SACRED SPACE Directed by Justyn Ah Chong A group of women heed the calling to make kapa for unearthed ancestral remains.
Pacific Cinewaves

MĀUI ADVENTURES: CAPTURING THE SUN

Film MĀUI ADVENTURES: CAPTURING THE SUN Directed by Jus G. When the days are too short for life to survive, a Hawaiian boy fights the sun in order…
Pacific Cinewaves

TRENTON: TO THE MOON & BACK

Film TRENTON: TO THE MOON & BACK Directed by Josh Leong Two indigenous brothers from the Solomon Islands escape a cult posing as a leadership training organization, finding refuge…
Pacific Cinewaves

MORE BOUNCE

Film MORE BOUNCE Directed by Alexis Si'i MORE BOUNCE documents three Samoan men as they reflect on their time as bouncers in Southern California, and…
Pacific Cinewaves

MY BROTHER

Film MY BROTHER Directed by Misa Tupou At rugby training, Malu knows time is against him, but his support for his sister Alofa will not…
Pacific Cinewaves

OURS IS THE SKY

Film OURS IS THE SKY Directed by Enzo Ventura In the wake of a devastating typhoon, three highland farmers discover their crops ruined and wait to start…
Narrative Programs, Pacific Cinewaves, Shorts Programs

PACIFIC CINEWAVES SHORTS

Program PACIFIC CINEWAVES SHORTS Through various frames and points of view, we are brought closer to encountering an ancient Pacific past.
Pacific Cinewaves

PANDEMIC BREAD

Film PANDEMIC BREAD Directed by Zeinabu irene Davis Pandemic Bread is a short dramatic film about a Filipino interpreter taking an end-of-life call with a doctor…
Narrative Programs, Pacific Cinewaves

RED, WHITE & BRASS

Film RED, WHITE & BRASS Directed by Damon Fepulea'i Maka, a Tongan superfan, will do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga v France Rugby…
Pacific Cinewaves

THE RETRIEVAL

Film THE RETRIEVAL Directed by Aree Kapa If it’s already yours, it’s not stealing, right?
Pacific Cinewaves

SNACK

Film SNACK Directed by Lauren To'omalatai After a night out with friends, Jess returns home and shares a late night snack with someone unexpected
Pacific Cinewaves

STREET LIGHTS

Film STREET LIGHTS Directed by Te Mahara Tamehana A story of redemption, forgiveness and love between three generations
Pacific Cinewaves

TALA’S BEDTIME STORY

Film TALA’S BEDTIME STORY Directed by Peter Filimaua In order to help Tala fall asleep, his mother tells him a tale about his grandfather and Pulotu,…
Pacific Cinewaves

THE BREAK

Film THE BREAK Directed by Conrad Lihilihi A woman's growing success begins to unearth deep insecurities and trauma within her toxic relationship which leads to…
Pacific Cinewaves

THE POLITICS OF TOHEROA SOUP

Film THE POLITICS OF TOHEROA SOUP Directed by Tiana Trego Hall A story about family, food and me.
Narrative Programs, Pacific Cinewaves

THE WIND & THE RECKONING

Film THE WIND & THE RECKONING Directed by David L. Cunningham As an outbreak of leprosy engulfs 19th-century colonial Hawai'i, a small group of infected Native Hawaiians resist government-mandated…
Pacific Cinewaves

THE VOYAGER’S LEGACY

Film THE VOYAGER’S LEGACY Directed by Bailey Poching In 1970’s Auckland New Zealand, an immigrant family endeavors to give their story a fairytale ending.
Cinema Musica, Pacific Cinewaves

THE WEATHER INSIDE

Film THE WEATHER INSIDE Directed by Jonny Chang, Solomon Chang, Tiffany Ike The Weather Inside is a 5-part original music video series exploring themes of identity, mental health, and growing…
Documentary Programs, Pacific Cinewaves

WHETŪ MĀRAMA / BRIGHT STAR

Film WHETŪ MĀRAMA / BRIGHT STAR Directed by Aileen O'Sullivan, Toby Mills We once built waka/canoes from giant trees and sailed the vast Pacific by the stars. These arts were…