The Japan Times - Consolidated Theatres Launches Hawaiʻi-Made Film Series in September

Hawaiʻi International Film Festival is launching HIFF Wednesdays at Consolidated Theatres, which is a chance to see theatrical screenings of Hawaiʻi-made films every other week on the big screen. The series launches on Wednesday, Sept. 2, with a showing of “Molokai Bound,” which will screen simultaneously at four locations across Oʻahu.

The film’s director, Alika Tengan, and cast and crew will be present at the Ward location for a Q&A session after the screening. The series runs every other week at four participating locations: Ward, Kapolei, Pearlridge and Mililani. After each screening, the event at the Ward location will host a Q&A with the filmmaker and special guests.

HIFF is the only Academy Awards-qualifying film festival in the state and is an international film festival dedicated to advancing cinema from Hawaiʻi, Asia and the Pacific. This year, the festival runs from Oct. 22 through Nov.

5 on Oʻahu, followed by screenings on Neighbor Islands. “HIFF has always been a home for Hawai‘i filmmakers, but that support shouldn’t end when the festival does,” stated Anderson Le, artistic director of HIFF, in a written statement. “HIFF Wednesdays is about creating a bridge between the festival circuit and commercial exhibition.

We want audiences to have the opportunity to buy a ticket, go to their neighborhood theater and see a Hawai‘i film presented alongside any other theatrical release. Most importantly, we want local filmmakers to see that there can be a life for their films on the big screen beyond a single festival premiere.” Screenings have already been announced through October, with more in the works and coming soon. “HIFF Wednesdays strengthens our longstanding partnership with the Hawai‘i International Film Festival and gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate and champion local filmmaking on a year-round basis,” stated Ellen Cotter, president and CEO of Reading International, the parent company of Consolidated Theatres, in a written statement.

“For more than a century, Consolidated Theatres has been part of Hawai‘i’s movie-going tradition, and this series amplifies our commitment to being truly Hawai‘i’s movie theater, a place where local audiences can come together to experience the magic of the movies while seeing stories from their own communities represented on the big screen.” Here is more info about some of the upcoming HIFF Wednesday features: Sept 2: “Molokai Bound.” Directed by Alika Tengan, this drama follows Kainoa De Silva, who is on parole and trying to rebuild his life and reconnect with family after years of incarceration. As he struggles to adjust to life back home, his attempts to prove himself worthy of his family and Native Hawaiian heritage become a deeply personal journey of reconciliation and redemption. Sept.

16: Wishful Thinking Shorts. This evening features several uplifting Hawaiʻi-made shorts with messages of reflection, including “Wishful Thinking,” directed by Kim Mi Ly, “Cheers to Maybe,” directed by Sara Brekke Gatiuan, “Alma’s Second Act,” directed by Michelle Umipeg, and “Character Breakdown,” directed by Ixchel Lopez. Sept.

30: “Before the Moon Falls.” Directed by Kimberlee Bassford, this film explores the life of acclaimed Samoan writer Sia Figiel, including a tragedy that changes everything. It also explores the complexities of inconsistently treated mental illness and its impact on individuals, families and communities. The film was a winner of the HIFF 2025 Made in Hawaiʻi award for best feature film.

Oct. 14: “My Partner.” Directed by Keli’i Grace, this story is set in Lahaina and features a pair of high school seniors from different backgrounds — Pili, played by Kaipo Dudoit, and Edmar, played by Jayron Munoz — are forced to work together on a group project and fall in love. Oct.

28 Haunted Hawaiʻi. Catch haunted and supernatural stories straight from Hawaiʻi with four short films: “Ka Ho’i: The Return,” directed by Mitchel Merrick, “Kamikakushi,” directed by Tothsanaly Nalina Hongphao, “Ride Pending,” directed by Sam Tiwanak, and “Spirits of the Cane Fields,” directed by Heather Galbreath. For November and December, featured local films will come straight from their world premieres at the 46th Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, presented by Halekulani.

These films will be announced by mid-October. Shows start at 7 p.m. Get tickets.

Y.Watanabe--JT