The Maui Film Festival was a film festival founded in 2000 by Barry Rivers and held annually on the island of Maui, Hawaii through 2024.[1] It was based at Grand Wailea Resort[2][3] and included film premieres,[3] filmmaker panels,[4][3] special screenings,[3] tributes,[3] award ceremonies,[4][3] culinary arts celebrations,[4][3] and private soirees.[4][3]
The festival was created by current festival director Barry Rivers,[10] who has a doctorate in electronic media arts and studied Film & Media Arts at University of Massachusetts Amherst.[11] The festival originated from a weekly screening series that Rivers began in 1997.[12]
In 2000, the festival was officially held for the first time.[10] In 2001, the festival was held from June 13 through June 17 in Wailea, Hawaii.[13]
In 2017, the 18th festival was held in Wailea and Kahului and included more than 30 film screenings.[14]
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maui Film Festival was delayed.[15] In January 2021, the 70 participating films were made available online as the Speed-of-Light Virtual Cinema from January 1 through 3.[15] The festival donated all money received from the second wave of film submissions to the Maui Food Bank, resulting in a donation of over $7,000.[15]
In 2022, the in-person festival was held at the Stardust Cinema at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center from July 6 - July 10.[16] The Speed-of-Light Virtual Cinema was also available from July 6 - July 31.[16]
In 2023, the festival was held on June 28 - July 2.[17] The Speed-of-Light Virtual Cinema was also available from July 3 - July 30.[17] After the 2023 Hawaii wildfires badly affected Maui and destroyed the village of Lahaina, Rivers and his family donated to and participated in the recovery efforts.[10]
In 2025, it was announced that the film festival would not continue, making the 2024 Maui Film Festival the last.[1]
Program
The festival consisted of filmmakers submitting features and shorts which the programmers chose 50 of to be screened over the five-day program.[3] The festival also honored selected filmmakers, actors, and actresses with awards for various criteria within the film industry.[18][9][16]
The festival began with an Opening Night Twilight Reception at Grand Wailea Resort.[19]
During the 2023 festival, there were 11 local and international film premieres. From July 3 to 30, 50 short and feature films were made available to stream online.[18][17]
Venues
The festival is predominantly held at the open-air Stardust Cinema[17] at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's A&B Amphitheater.[20][18] Films are also projected onto a 50-foot screen set on the slopes of Haleakala at the Wailea Gold and Emerald Golf Courses.[3][9]
On June 14, 2018, a special "Toes in the Sand Cinema" event took place at Wailea Beach in front of the Four Seasons Resort Maui, during which short films were screened.[2]
Starting in 2021,[15] online viewing was made possible by the Speed-of-Light Virtual Cinema.[15] People who could not attend in person could purchase tickets to stream films from around the world.[16][17]
Awards and honors
Lights! Camera! Passion! Award - Honors directors.[21]
Navigator Award - Honors film actors and actresses for “carving a path of distinction through the turbulent waters of the entertainment industry without sacrificing their fundamental commitment to excellence”[27]
Shining Star Award - Honors film actors and actresses who "dares to dream big dreams and delivers brilliantly charismatic and revelatory performances every time that opportunity knocks."[36]
Stella Award - Honors an actress for "advancing the status of women throughout the film industry by breathing life into characters that empower, enlighten and entertain."[26]
Visionary Award - Honors film artists for their "long-standing commitment to inspire and nurture the endlessly evolving tapestry of global cultures into an ever more compassionate and life-affirming planetary community."[37]
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