Hawaii International Film Festival Announces Drive In Cinema

The 40th edition of the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) presented by Halekulani announced their Drive In Cinema Screenings. This year’s festival, running from November 5-29 will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual screenings, making HIFF — for the first time ever — accessible to audiences all across the United States. As part of the renewed HIFF, the festival will also for the first time ever host Drive In Cinemas across Oahu showcasing HIFF40 Film Premieres and family favorites. 

“HIFF is so excited to offer premier Drive-in Cinema experiences across Oahu as part of our 40th Anniversary Hawaii International Film Festival.” Says Executive Director Beckie Stocchetti. “This is a safe, fun, nostalgic way to enjoy some of the best HIFF40 films, local favorites, and family friendly offerings as part of our November Festivities. Our islands and communities have sacrificed so much over the last six months. As we reopen Hawai’i, HIFF is proud to present these entertaining opportunities for our ohana.” 

HIFF will host 3 drive-in locations: Ala Moana Center, presented by Aloha Drive-In Movies; Varsity Building Mo‘ili‘ili, presented by Kamehameha Schools; and Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe presented by Kamehameha Schools.  A $30 dollar ticket will cover each vehicle, at 2 adult passengers per vehicle; additional tickets are then $10 per additional adult, and $8 for children (3-11).

“Growing up in Kaimuki, my parents would take me to the old Waialae Drive-In. It was truly a magical time and it is so great to have this opportunity to resurrect a once defunct tradition that has become wildly popular across the continent,” says Artistic Director Anderson Le. “Because of the pandemic, HIFF has pivoted to an online streaming platform, but we also still want to retain the ‘magic of the movies’ by experiencing cinema on the big screen. We are excited to bring back drive-ins in a major way, and why not do so by celebrating the amazing local films that we are screening this year? We owe these talented filmmakers that much to preserve the cinematic experience in a safe space.”

The HIFF Drive In Cinema will feature an array of new indie cinema hits, with a special emphasis on emerging filmmakers from Hawaii. THE KĀNAKA MAOLI NEW WAVE program is a carefully curated lineup of some of the best Native Hawaiian short films from past HIFF editions that will play with the world drive-in premiere of ʻĀina Paikai’s HAWAIIAN SOUL. Other films playing are THE MOON AND THE NIGHT (Dir.; Erin Lau) HIFF38 Made in Hawai’i Jury Winner; HAE HAWAI‘I ( Dir.: Ty Sanga) HIFF39 Audience Award Winner; HIFF39 Made in Hawai’i Jury Winner DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK IN WAIKIKI (Dir.: Justyn Ah Chong) and HIFF38 Best Made in Hawai’i Film Award Winner, MAUKA TO MAKAI (Dir.: Alika Maikau).

For full details please go to https://hiff.org/drive-in-schedule/

HIFF40 Made in Hawaii Spotlight Films:

November 5 at 5:30pm: ALOHA SURF HOTEL

November 5 at 8pm: STORY GAME

November 14 at 7pm: CANE FIRE

November 22 at 7pm: THE KĀNAKA MAOLI NEW WAVE: HAWAIIAN SOUL + MAUKA TO MAKAI + THE MOON AND THE NIGHT + HAE HAWAI‘I + DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK IN WAIKIKI

HIFF40 Festival Films:

November 6 at 8pm: I AM GRETA

November 12 at 8pm: I’M YOUR WOMAN

November 13 at 8pm: THE PAPER TIGERS

November 15 at 7pm: WATER LIKE FIRE

November 19 at 8pm: LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE

November 20 at 5:30pm: BABY DONE

November 20 at 8pm: TBA (Audience Favorite film!)

November 21 at 7pm: SHADOW IN THE CLOUD

HIFF and Aloha Drive in Movies Present Family Favorites Nights at Ala Moana Shopping Center: 

October 29: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 at 5:30pm and GREASE SING-A-LONG at 8pm

October 30: NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS at 5:30pm and LOST BOYS at 8pm

November 6: YOUR NAME at 5:30pm

November 12: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON at 5:30pm

November 13: JUMANJI: NEXT LEVEL at 5:30pm

November 19: ABOMINABLE at 5:30pm