The ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab is a two-day Honolulu-based workshop, providing Hawaii screenwriters and directors an opportunity to learn from some of the top working screenwriters and filmmakers in the entertainment industry. ‘OHINA LABS is looking for interested applicants to apply for this year’s free workshop held in November 2022, with plans for both in-person and online workshop sessions.
Following a judging process, up to 10 accepted applicants will be guest mentored by leading film industry creatives in an intensive workshop setting over two consecutive Saturdays on November 16 and November 23 in Honolulu. Supplemental learning opportunities and resources will also be offered throughout the week.
Guest mentors at ‘OHINA LABS have included Susan Soon He Stanton (writer/producer “Succession”) Rob Letterman (writer/director Pokémon Detective Pikachu), Aaron and Jordan Kandell (co-screenwriters Moana), Eric Pearson (co-screenwriter Thor: Ragnarok), Dana Ledoux-Miller (writer “Newsroom”), and Joe Robert Cole (co-screenwriter Black Panther), Blackhorse Lowe (Reservation Dogs, Outer Ranger), Vanessa Taylor (Shape of Water, Game of Thrones).
If you are a current or former resident of Hawaii, with a short screenplay (15 page maximum) in any genre that can be produced and shot in Hawaii, please submit your application between June 9-August 19. Finalists will be announced October 7.
At the end of the lab, one participant (or team for a co-written project) will be selected to receive the ‘OHINA Greenlight Award—and the opportunity for funding and support towards their winning script becoming a completed short film. Over a dozen scripts that have gone through the annual ‘OHINA LABS have been produced (including KALEWA, MAUKA TO MAKAI, OTHER PEOPLE, KŪKINI, and LAST HAWAIIAN SUGAR), and many have gone on to win awards, secure licensing deals, and screen at film festivals around the world.
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Justina T. Mattos
December 2024