MUMBAI: The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) has got into a partnership with EuroCinema Hawai’i. HIFF is inaugurating its first ever Festival within a Festival with the October 2010 launch of EuroCinema Hawai’i. EuroCinema Hawai’i will feature a special section of films, people, and events, which will highlight European films at HIFF with the ultimate goal of increasing exposure of European films in the islands.
2010 marks the 30th year of the Hawaii International Film Festival. HIFF is a film festival featuring nearly 200 films from approximately 40 countries throughout the world. HIFF is, however, frequently considered to be an Asian-oriented festival because so many of its films are from and about Asia.
"Asian cinema holds a special place in our hearts and souls," says HIFF executive director Chuck Boller. "It has benefited HIFF tremendously in terms of audience interest, satisfaction, and support and in terms of giving HIFF a special niche in the world of film festivals. That said, however, HIFF also screens films from other parts of the world which are equally strong, intriguing, and excellent. Our audience members and the public are not always aware of this."
"We are excited to partner with HIFF to launch this unique ‘Festival within a Festival,’" says EuroCinema Hawai’i president Jefferson Finney. "There are always incredible films being made in Europe and we aim to bring the very best of those to Hawaii for our first EuroCinema Festival this October."
Boller adds, "HIFF has long been a gateway into the United States for international cinema. We know that our supporters will very much enjoy all that EuroCinema Hawai’i has to offer and will welcome this very special Festival to HIFF."
Founded and incorporated in 2009, EuroCinema Hawaii is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Europe and Hawaii through the medium of film. Prior to each annual festival a jury comprised of film directors and producers selects the festival’s best film and awards it the Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale award. Education is one of the vital components of the mission of EuroCinema Hawai’i. Each year, EuroCinema will provide a scholarship to students in creative media in the state of Hawaii to help our island filmmakers bring their stories around the globe.
