HIFF 'Ōpio Fest, a student film festival in Hawai'i, is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating original short films made by Hawai'i's next gen filmmakers! Make plans to join us for the second annual HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest in Honolulu, Hawai'i, April 8- 13, 2025.

Deadline: We're accepting short film submissions in two categories until January 15th 9:00PM HST. There are no costs to submit.

'Ōpio Student Showcase Category
Eligibility: Students in high school or younger who reside in Hawai'i
Length: 1 - 10 minutes
Theme: Your best film from any genre—hateful or explicit content won't be considered
Prize: An award for Best Student Film will be given at a public screening at HIFF 'Ōpio Fest. All finalists will have their film screened at Consolidated Theatres Kahala. 
 
Future Filmmakers Showcase Category
Eligibility: Students in high school or middle school who reside in Hawai'i or Alaska
Length: 2 - 4 minutes
Theme: Together We Thrive - Learn more on our Future Filmmakers page
Prize: An award for Best Student Film to a high school and middle school film will be given at a public screening at HIFF 'Ōpio Fest. All finalists will have their film screened at Consolidated Theatres Kahala.

At 'Ōpio Fest, there are opportunities for student filmmakers to meet some of their favorite film professionals who have forged exemplary Hollywood careers, as they impart career advice and their own personal journeys as filmmakers to Hawai‘i’s future filmmaking professionals. Past dignitaries include Eric Bauza (LOONY TOONES, THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE), Auli‘i Cravalho (MOANA 2 and MOANA, THE POWER, MEAN GIRLS), Harry Shum, Jr. (GLEE, CRAZY RICH ASIANS), Jacob Batalon (SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME), Phillipa Soo (HAMILTON), Destin Daniel Cretton (director, SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS), Peyton Elizabeth Lee and (DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, M.D.).

HIFF's student showcases were previously held during the annual Hawai'i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani, and has grown to be a crowd favorite in the community. The education programs at HIFF reach more than 10,000 students annually across Hawai’i through free community programs available to K-12 schools and for Creative Media students in the University of Hawai'i System.

For any questions, please email education@hiff.org

Awards & Prizes

HIFF is committed to recognizing the best original short films created by student filmmakers in Hawai'i. We will be awarding awards in the 'Ōpio Student Showcase and the Future Filmmakers Showcase.

Rules & Terms

YOU MUST READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING:

- The film’s director(s) must have been in high school or younger at the time of production.

- Both categories are open to Hawai'i students only with the exception of students from Alaska who may submit to the Future Filmmakers category.

- Films must be conceived, produced, and finished by filmmakers in middle school or high school with teachers and other mentors acting in advisory roles only.

- Films must have been completed no earlier than January 2024.

- All music and other copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and attributed. This includes Student Music Videos.

- All films with dialogue in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for Festival presentation.

- All films must include credits.

View the Official Rules & Guidelines for the Future Filmmakers category here: https://hiff.org/futurefilmmakers/

View the Official Rules & Guidelines for the Student Showcase category here: https://hiff.org/student-showcase/

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  • Jana Park

    WOW! This was an incredible weekend-long film festival full off creative films, educational events, and valuable networking experiences. Students from all over Hawai'i (and even Alaska!) gathered together to share their art and friendship. My students will never forget this experience. Highly recommended!

    April 2024
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