Building the future of Hawai‘i’s film industry!
What an incredible turnout at Windward Community College for the UNTAMED Season 2 Industry Seminar! The May 8 event brought together union members and students from high school through the university level to learn directly from film and television professionals.
The seminar featured guest speakers including Kekoa Kekumano and focused on sharing career knowledge and industry insights. A major highlight of the discussion was the upcoming internship opportunities with UNTAMED, which aims to provide emerging professionals with a clear path into the local film industry.
Mahalo to everyone who joined us at the Palikū Theatre! We look forward to hosting more sessions like this in the future.
#CreativeIndustriesHawaii #LocalArtists #HawaiiTalent
Attention Hawaiʻi Island students and creatives!
We are heading to the University of Hawai‘i Hilo Theatre tomorrow, May 13, for an exclusive TV and film industry seminar focused on UNTAMED Season 2.
This is a can’t-miss opportunity for public high school, charter school, and college students enrolled in art and media programs to connect with the production world! Come learn about the industry, the creative economy, and the workforce pipeline being built right here in Hawai‘i.
📍UH Hilo Theatre
🕘 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
📝 Note: All participants must sign a media release form prior to attending.
#CreativeIndustriesHawaii #LocalArtists #HawaiiTalent
Hawaiʻi filmmakers and storytellers—submissions are now open for the Austin Film Festival 2026 Film and Script Competitions.
AFF is inviting independent filmmakers and writers to submit their work across a wide range of categories, including short films, feature scripts, original pilots, stage plays, digital series, and more. The festival’s Academy Award®–qualifying short film categories include Animated Short, Documentary Short, and Narrative Short.
Filmmakers in Hawaiʻi can receive a submission discount using code: 10AFF2026, with the Early Bird deadline approaching on March 27.
AFF is also seeking volunteer film screeners and script readers, offering creatives an opportunity to participate in the evaluation process and connect with the festival’s filmmaking community.
Learn more and submit your work at austinfilmfestival.com.
#HawaiiFilm #IndependentFilm #Screenwriting #FilmFestival #CreativeIndustriesHI
Submissions are now open for the Spring 2026 Roy W. Dean Grant, supporting independent filmmakers creating meaningful, socially impactful work.
Now in its 35th year, the grant supports documentary, narrative feature, short film, and web series projects with budgets of $500,000 or less. Students are encouraged to apply.
Selected projects receive cash funding, donated film products and services, and professional support — and every applicant is offered a complimentary consultation to strengthen their project and funding strategy. New this year, additional projects will be recognized through the Stories That Matter Awards, honoring films that reflect real lives and pressing social issues.
The application deadline is March 31, 2026. Learn more and apply at fromtheheartproductions.com.
Interested in growing your Hawaiʻi-based product business in 2026? Mana Up is hosting a virtual info session for Cohort 11, and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about their six-month business accelerator program.
Join Mana Up co-founder Meli James and a program graduate to hear how the program supports local entrepreneurs in scaling their brands and reaching global markets.
The virtual info session takes place on Wednesday, February 4, from 3:00–4:00 PM via Zoom. Learn more and sign up through Mana Up’s website.
Submissions are now open for the 46th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival, presented by Halekulani!
@hiffhawaii is accepting entries across multiple categories, including Narrative and Documentary Features and Shorts, Made in Hawai‘i, Pacific Islander Showcase, and New American Perspectives.
Award-winning short films at HIFF are eligible for consideration in the Academy Awards® Live Action and Animated Short Film categories.
Submissions are also open for HIFF ʻŌpio Fest, celebrating original short films by Hawai‘i K–12 student filmmakers.
Learn more, view deadlines, and submit at hiff.org.
#HIFF46 #CallForEntries #HawaiiFilm #PacificIslanderStories
Hawai‘i’s creative workforce is growing — and new training opportunities are open to help local talent build the skills needed for film and production careers!
Through a continuing partnership between Good Jobs Hawai‘i and DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division, residents can now enroll in Foundational Safety training, beginning January 12, 2026, at Honolulu Community College.
This hands-on program teaches the essential safety and technical skills required for film and live-event production — from scaffolding and aerial lifts to fall protection and first aid — helping participants prepare for union jobs that can earn $50–$150 per hour.
Space is limited and registration closes December 19, 2025. Learn more and apply at goodjobshawaii.com
Songwriting is both art and storytelling—and the recent behind-the-scenes look at “Golden,” the original song from KPOP Demon Hunters, is a masterclass in both.
In this feature, songwriters EJAE and Mark share how they collaborated with THEBLACKLABEL to craft a track that blends emotion, precision, and culture—showing how music can drive narrative and connect audiences worldwide.
For Hawaiʻi’s singer-songwriters and producers, it’s a reminder that the landscape for creative licensing and music for film is expanding faster than ever. Opportunities like this show what’s possible when authentic voices and storytelling come together.
#HawaiiCreatives #HawaiiSongwritersFestival #CreativeIndustriesHI #DBEDT #MusicForFilm #KpopDemonHunters #Songwriting
Congratulations to Lāhainā Rising (Dir. Matty Schweitzer) and Before the Moon Falls (Dir. Kimberlee Bassford) for sharing the Best Made in Hawaiʻi Feature honor at @hiffhawaii in a rare tie!
These deeply compelling films reflect our islands’ voices, history, and vision—one documenting Maui’s rebirth after the wildfires, the other tracing Samoan writer Sia Figiel’s extraordinary story of artistry and vulnerability.
If you missed them in Honolulu, you’ll have more chances to see these works during @hiffhawaii Neighbor Island encore screenings across Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island and beyond.
Visit HIFF.org for the full schedule and screening times!
Take your creative skills to the next level with The Art of Music Media Masterclass, a free two-day, in-person course designed for photographers, videographers, and creatives interested in breaking into the world of live music media!
Led by Antonio J. Agosto of VisionizeMedia, this immersive workshop covers concert and festival photography, backstage etiquette, workflow, and real-world preparation.
📅 October 10 & 12
🕤 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu
Presented by ICAN in partnership with VisionizeMedia, Kaiaulu, and UH West O‘ahu, this opportunity is free and open to the public. Only 25 seats are available—secure your spot at visionizemedia.com/masterclass.
#CreativeIndustriesHI #GoodJobsHawaii #UHWestOahu #ICAN #MusicMedia #PhotographyWorkshop #HawaiiCreatives
Step into the director’s chair with internationally acclaimed teacher and director Mark W. Travis at a special Directing Masterclass on October 11 from 1–4 PM at HFC!
Learn the renowned Travis Technique, including Write Your Life, The Power of Staging, and The Interrogation Process—tools that have shaped directors across Hollywood and beyond.
Not yet part of HFC? Become a member today and gain access to exclusive workshops, events, and a supportive network of filmmakers.
#DirectingMasterclass #HawaiiFilm #HFC #CreativeIndustriesHI #FilmEducation #DirectorsLife
