Section

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

AIKANE

Film AIKANE Directed by Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the…

Pacific Cinewaves

COME TOGETHER

Film COME TOGETHER Directed by Honestine Pa'ala-Fraser Inspired by the 1978 documentary “Omai Fa’atasi: Samoa Mo Samoa,” a teenage girl growing up in a strict…

Pacific Cinewaves

DAUGHTER OF GUAM

Film DAUGHTER OF GUAM Directed by Alfred Bordallo PARA I ONRA; A love letter to our CHamoru matriarchs; A young woman embraces her responsibility as a…

Pacific Cinewaves, Reel Life

DIGITAL CAMOUFLAGE

Film DIGITAL CAMOUFLAGE Directed by Alfred Bordallo A Multi-Channel Video Art Installation juxtaposing vignettes of CHamoru existence within and against imperialism.

Pacific Cinewaves

HŌKŪELʻA: FINDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE NAVIGATOR

Film HŌKŪELʻA: FINDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE NAVIGATOR Directed by Ty Sanga Renowned navigator Nainoa Thompson and Wade Davis examine the mysteries of traditional wayfinding.

Pacific Cinewaves

IN EXILE

Film IN EXILE Directed by Nathan Fitch IN EXILE is a short film that explores the US nuclear legacy in the Pacific through the lens…

Pacific Cinewaves, Shorts Program

INDIGENOUS NOW!

Program INDIGENOUS NOW! They are the original storytellers of their lands, we are grateful to be able to share their continued…

Narrative Features, Pacific Cinewaves

INKY PINKY PONKY – THE ODD ONE OUT

Film INKY PINKY PONKY – THE ODD ONE OUT Directed by Damon Fepulea'i, Ramon Te Wake A new fakaleiti student at St Valentines High causes a stir, as rugby players, gender fluidity, Island mums…

Pacific Cinewaves

KAI HALIʻA (SEA OF MEMORY)

Film KAI HALIʻA (SEA OF MEMORY) Directed by Angelique Kalani Axelrode Through layers of space, time and memory across the ocean and ʻāina (land) on Maui, a diasporic Kānaka…

Pacific Cinewaves

KE ALA

Film KE ALA Directed by Bryson Nihipali A young Native Hawaiian filmmaker interviews 3 generations of his family to gain a better understanding of the…

Pacific Cinewaves

KŪKINI

Film KŪKINI Directed by Mitchel Merrick In 1790 Hawaiʻi, an elite warrior must leave his family behind when sent on a deadly mission to…

Pacific Cinewaves

LEA TUPU’ANGA | MOTHER TONGUE

Film LEA TUPU’ANGA | MOTHER TONGUE Directed by Vea Mafile'o A young speech therapist disconnected from her Tongan heritage lies about her Tongan language skills to get a…

Pacific Cinewaves

MARAHORO

Film MARAHORO Directed by Sofía Rodríguez Pizero Marahoro is a 15-year-old Rapa-Nui boy who finds in an ancient holler the strength to confront his father's…

Pacific Cinewaves, Shorts Program

PACIFIC CINEWAVES: THE STORIES WE TELL

Program PACIFIC CINEWAVES: THE STORIES WE TELL We are grateful to present another edition of Pacific Cinewaves Shorts; celebrating stories that connect generations and lands.

Pacific Cinewaves, Shorts Program

PACIFIC CINEWAVES: ISLAND HOME

Program PACIFIC CINEWAVES: ISLAND HOME An additional Pacific Cinewaves Shorts offering, this program is anchored by 2 different explorations of home.

Pacific Cinewaves

PLASTIC – A LOVE LETTER TO THE ESTRANGED

Film PLASTIC – A LOVE LETTER TO THE ESTRANGED Directed by Va'a Magalogo A short doco that shares a universal struggle of someone who struggled to find their place in their…

Pacific Cinewaves

RECLAIM

Film RECLAIM Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, Justyn Ah Chong Two young brothers in Hawai’i express their deep connection to their culture, language and land through a dedication…

Documentary Features, Pacific Cinewaves

SHAKA, A STORY OF ALOHA

Film SHAKA, A STORY OF ALOHA Directed by Alexander Bocchieri Embark on a global quest that reveals the enchanting power of the Shaka gesture and why itʻs the…

Pacific Cinewaves

THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS

Film THE QUEEN’S FLOWERS Directed by Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy A magical take on a true story, THE QUEENʻS FLOWERS is an animated short adventure for kids that…

Pacific Cinewaves

THE SHAUN NUA PROJECT

Film THE SHAUN NUA PROJECT Directed by Jake Zielinski, Jess Speight Super Bowl champion and current USC defensive line coach Shaun Nua returns to his home island of American…

Pacific Cinewaves

TUIA NGĀ HERE

Film TUIA NGĀ HERE Directed by Heriata Rurehe, Kura Turuwhenua When a young boy fears for his grandfather’s health he looks to the land to seek the cure