HRFF is one of the longest-running and most respected queer film festivals in the country, celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2024. It is especially well known as a bridge between Hawai'i and the Pacific, Asia, and the USA. HRFF is an IMDB-qualified festival and a member of the Asia Pacific Queer Film Festival Alliance.

The festival uses the power of film to raise awareness, engage, energize, and instill a sense of pride and respect in Hawaiʻiʻs thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, mahu and aikane community. The festival is presented annually in honor of Hawaii LGBT pioneer Adam Baran.

This year we will present a full program of films in person at the beautiful Doris Duke Theater, which is located in the Honolulu Museum of Art, together with a selection of films available online for our popular worldwide virtual screenings.

We're looking forward to welcoming you to the warm sands of Hawai'i. Aloha!

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature
Best Documentary
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Adam Baran (Humanitarian Award)
Phred Love Award (Local Filmmaker Award)
Rising Star Award

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
HRFF accepts films of any length and genre about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, mahu, queer, intersex and allied people and their communities. A separate FilmFreeway Entry Form is required for each film being submitted.

FILM CATEGORIES
Narrative Feature films are 40 minutes and over. Documentary Feature films are 40 minutes and over. Shorts are films under 40 minutes. Episodic inclusdes Web series, webisodes, and ongoing storylines where multiple episodes will be shown.

PREVIEW FORMAT 
Preview submissions must be submitted via secure online screener (e.g. vimeo.com with password), or through a secure online link via FilmFreeway.

ROUGH CUTS & WORKS-IN-PROGRESS 
Please submit a rough cut or work-in-progress only if it has special relevance to our festival; e.g., you are a local filmmaker.

NOTIFICATION 
FilmFreeway submissions will be marked "In Consideration" once payment, entry forms, and an online link of the film have been received. Entrants will be notified of festival selections by August 23, 2024.

FEE WAIVER
A fee waiver is available for filmmakers based in Hawai'i and on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us about your situation and to obtain a waiver code.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ryan Paige

    We were thrilled to be made part of the Official Selection for Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival and have our little film reach a vast audience in Hawaii. The team offered endless, helpful communication to ensure everything went smoothly. It was a great experience. Mahalo!

    September 2023
    Helpful
  • Angelique Kalani Axelrode

    Amazing festival showcasing international and local Hawaiian queer films and engaging with community!

    September 2023
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  • Ryan Spahn

    We submitted THE OTHER JOHN on a whim and were delighted to be accepted. The programer who had screened our short reached out directly to congratulate us. They also complimented the film in a very personal, specific, and sincere way. The extra effort to welcome us aboard meant a lot to our team.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Mahalo Ryan for letting us screen your film. It’s been a blast!

  • Mike Talplacido

    Great communication from the festival team throughout. I really liked how much effort they have put into promoting the festival and the films this year, for example, they have such a great looking website. So grateful that my short film "To Ken With Love" has been included. Definitely would submit again in the future and I highly recommend this festival to others..

    September 2023
    Helpful
  • Dylan Glynn

    Was disappointed to learn that short films selected would not be screened at the festival, only online. I felt a bit duped considering entering this festival is not cheap.

    March 2023
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    Response from festival:

    What's the name of your film please? We aloha all submitters, but need to know what project you were involved with. Mahalo.