Thursday, May 26, 2011

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 11th through 16th. 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 6th 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!


1 comment:

Jan Sears said...

Great Job Devany. Hope you had as much fun as we did, even with the extensive work you're now sorting through.
Jan