Its a Wrap: 2011 Big Island Film Festival

The Crowd awaits films at the Fairmont Orchid 

I was lucky enough to get a dream photo assignment as the photographer for the Big Island Film Festival held at the Shops of Mauna Lani and the Fairmont Orchid from May 11^th through 16^th. The films were fabulous, the actors, directors and producers were available and fun to work with. The accommodations were awesome of course. There were several receptions and events included in the film festival and I was lucky enough to get to attend all of them. This of course resulted in massive amounts of photos which I am still editing. The important ones are in this post and my recent post after the Mayor’s Reception and opening ceremonies. 

The Film Makers at the Big Island Film Festival Mayor Billy Kenoi is up in the bushes

Hilo Girl, Kristina Anapau 

Sunset at the Fairmont Orchid

Twelve films received Golden Honu Awards at the 6^th Annual Big Island Film Festival at the Awards Brunch on Sunday.  Best Feature went to “Queen of the Lot,” starring Tanna Frederick and Noah Wyle, written and directed by Henry Jaglom, produced by Rosemary Marks.  

The winners of Best Short, Audience Choice Short and Audience Choice Feature with  Leo  Sears

Sarah Wayne Callies and Leo Sears

Kristina Anapau and Leo Sears

Celebrity actresses Sarah Wayne Callies, raised on Oahu (“The Walking Dead”) and Hilo’s own Kristina Anapau (“Black Swan”) were present to receive special “No Ka Oi” awards from Big Island Film Festival Executive Director Leo Sears.  


 In this clip, Sarah Wayne Callies talks about how she was cast for The Walking Dead and what it is like filming it: 

And in this clip, Kristina Anapau talks about her early years in the music industry and how she made the choice to strictly be an actress. She went from wanting to be the next Madonna to a part on General Hospital which catapulted her career into film roles:





Winners were selected from 63 entries from across the country and around the world, including 10 made in Hawai’i.  The made-on-Maui film, “Get A Job,” starring Willie K, Eric Gilliom, Augie T, Henry Kapono and many other top Hawaiian entertainers, won 2011 Audience Choice Feature.   

“Get A Job” was screened twice, the second time being at the Best of the Fest event at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i Plantation Estate, along with Henry Kapono in concert and Audience Choice short “The Historian Paradox.” 

Henry Kapono

Eric Gilliom hugging Henry's Guitar 

 Henry Kapono and Eric Gilliom performed at the Best of the Fest event. Here is Henry Kapono in concert singing Hi'ilawe :

Here is the full list of the award winning films. Look for them at theaters near you. “Get A Job” will be coming to the Honokaa People’s Theater soon, and will play at Hilo’s Palace theater this summer. Stay tuned for exact dates on my facebook page. “The Historian Paradox” may be made into a feature length film. You can find descriptions of each film as well as the names of the film makers at the BIFF Website.

2011 Big Island Film Festival Golden Honu Awards:

Actress “No Ka Oi”

Sarah Wayne Callies 

Actress “No Ka Oi”

Kristina Anapau 

The Barbara Award

“Regular Kids” 

Best Family Short

“The Green Tie Affair” 

Best Animated Short

“Bait” 

Best Hawaiian Short

“Layover, On the Shore” 

Best Foreign Short

“Futility” 

Best Student Short

“Thief” 

Best Short

“Wounded” 

Best Family Feature

“Trainmaster II: Jeremiah’s Treasure” 

“Best Student Feature”

“Farmer’s Tan” 

Best Hawaiian Feature

“Get A Job” 

Best Foreign Feature

“The Drummond Will”

Best Feature

“Queen of the Lot” 

Audience Choice Short

“The Historian Paradox” 

Audience Choice Feature

“Get A Job”

Get a Job won Best Hawaiian Feature and Audience Choice Feature

Historian Paradox won Audience Choice Short

Film Lovers come in all sizes!

Big Island Film Festival Opens!

Last night Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi and his staff put on a spectacular reception along with partners Kenwood Winery and the Fairmont Orchid Hotel.  Film makers from across the country joined in the celebration of the opening of the Big Island Film Festival. 

May 11^th-15^th the Big Island will feature an array of short and independent films for the viewing pleasure of the people of Hawaii and her guests visiting from other islands and the mainland. Luminaires of various distinctions will present and share their films in the casual and aloha friendly environment of the Shops of Mauna Lani and the Fairmont Orchid Hawai’i.

Sixtythree films are being presented, something for everyone. Ten of the films featured in the lineup were made in Hawaii, four of them from the Big Island. Do check out the full offerings and schedule here. Join us for a day or a weekend of interesting and entertaining films. The films shown at the Shops of Mauna Lani every evening are all free (thanks to the generous support of the Shop of Mauna Lani) and family friendly!

This is the sixth year of the festival, which grows every year. Film makers are engaged in various workshops and round tables while at the festival and John Mason, Film Commissioner for Hawaii will do a talk story/interview with Hawaii Five-O insiders Angie LaPrete, renowned film and TV producer and Chico Powell, Film and TV Production Accountant on Thursday, May 12 at the Shops at Mauna Lani at 6 pm. This event is open to the public and is free.

The highlight of the Mayor’s reception was when Kahu Danny Akaka, Cultural Historian, at Mauna Lani and Christof Leudi, General Manager, of the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii blew two Pu (Hawaiian Conch Shells) in perfect synchronization in each direction then performed a chant and blessing together to open the festival. Christof Leudi has immersed himself in Hawaiian Culture, coming far from his homeland in Switzerland. It was very special for me to be part of this ceremony.

Meanwhile, please do join us in Kohala this week as we celebrate films of outstanding quality and great interest. More pictures and video clips to come over the next 5 days.