The Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience Comes to Hawai’i!
Recognizing AANHPI Directors and Screenwriters from Hawai’i at the 2024 Hawai’i International Film Festival
On Monday, October 7, 2024, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience (APFE), in partnership with the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) hosted a panel and networking event in Hawai’i. Held at Native Hawaiian-owned Kapa Hale in Honolulu, the packed house (over 125 people in attendance) featured an engaging panel titled “From Hawai’i to Hollywood,” which spotlighted a line-up of all-Native Hawaiian filmmakers and screenwriters who have achieved notable success in Hollywood.
HIFF’s Jana Park with APFE’s Minji Chang and Michelle Sugihara, with HIFF Executive Director Beckie Stocchetti, and APFE’s David Magdael and Laarni Rosca Dacanay at first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel and Networking Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Honolulu-born Michelle K. Sugihara, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based non-profit entertainment organization CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment)—and partner organization of APFE—returned to her home state and moderated the special panel. In addition, veteran producer Nina Yang Bongiovi, (“Fruitvale Station”, “Dope”, “Sorry to Bother You” and “Moloka'i Bound” (which premiered at HIFF)), gave special introductory remarks to kick off the panel.
The filmmaker panel spotlighted award-winning HIFF filmmakers, including:
Alika Tengan is an Asian/Native Hawaiian filmmaker based out of Honolulu, Hawai’i, whose short films “Mauka To Makai” and “Moloka’i Bound” have garnered multiple awards including “Best Short” at ImagineNative, which granted them Oscar Consideration īfor the 2021 Academy Awards. The “Moloka’i Bound” short inspired a feature-length screenplay which was selected by Google and Array for a feature film grant to fund the film, and is slated for release in 2024. His first feature-length film, “Everyday In Kamukī” had its World Premiere in the NEXT category of Sundance 2022, and was awarded best Narrative Feature at the Bentonville Film Festival.
Chris Kekaniokalani Bright is a screenwriter born and raised in Oʻahu, Hawai’i. After attending Kamehameha Schools for 13 years, Chris went on to study film and music at Chapman University. He worked in production at Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2014-2017, and he has been writing several film projects since, to include “Conviction,” which made the 2018 Black List and has been sold to Warner Bros., and the live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch,” which will be released in 2025.
Erin Lau is a Native Hawaiian filmmaker who has dedicated her life to creating stories that explore empathy, family, and identity. She completed her Bachelors at the University of Hawai’i Mānoa’s Academy for Creative Media and received her MFA from Chapman University. After graduating, Erin worked as a Senior Producer-Director for Jubilee Media, where she developed community-focused content for global brands including Google, SK-II, and Always. Her short films have also screened in over 50 festivals worldwide. Her Chapman thesis, “The Moon and the Night”, received support from the 2017 Sundance Native Lab, was shortlisted for the Student BAFTA awards, and featured on the Criterion Channel. Her latest film “Inheritance” premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and won the Oscar-Qualifying Best Hawai‘i Short Award at HIFF42. Most recently, Erin directed her first episode of network television for the FOX television series “Rescue: Hi-Surf.” In the documentary space, her latest projects include directing on the Emmy-winning docuseries “Reel Wāhine of Hawai’i” and producing Cris Romento's short “Dear Aloha” and Jalena Keane-Lee's feature, “Standing Above the Clouds”. All of which are screening at HIFF44.
Moderator Michelle K. Sugihara is the Executive Director of CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), the world’s longest-running non-profit organization creating opportunities and driving change for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) success in Hollywood. She is a fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i. She graduated with honors from Claremont McKenna College with a dual major in Economics and Psychology and a minor in Asian American Studies, followed by a law degree from UCLA. Prior to joining CAPE, she was an entertainment attorney, film producer, and adjunct professor for the Claremont Colleges’ Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies.
APFE Leader and CAPE Executive Director, Michelle Sugihara (left), moderates “From Hawai’i to Hollywood” Filmmaker Panel with Alika Tengan, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, and Erin Lau at first-ever APFE event at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Other notable guests included Chris Kahunahana (Director, WAIKIKI), Amy Hill (Actor, MAGNUM P.I.), Lindsay Watson (Actor, FINDING ‘OHANA), Kanoa Goo (Actor, THE ROOKIE), and Ramona Diaz (Director, AND SO IT BEGINS, 2024 Sundance Film Festival). Kenji Tsukamoto (Director, ASHIMA) was also in attendance after his Hawaii premiere with his producer (and APFE co-producer) Minji Chang, who first connected at APFE Sundance 2016.
APFE Founder and award-winning publicist David Magdael welcomed the standing room only crowd.
“…We started in 2002 at Sundance, so yes, we have been around a long time, but finally we’ve been able to go around to different film festivals around the US and even we were in Canada last month for Toronto [International Film Festival]... We started 22 years ago at Sundance during the Better Luck Tomorrow premiere. We need to get it together, we need to show up, get all of our people in the room to get here so we know who is making movies, who we need to support, who needs to work with somebody, who is going to hire Amy Hill for her next movie.” [crowd cheers] “A lot of us have been in the trenches for a long time, so it really warms my heart to see all of you out here cause you guys are our future. You guys are making movies. I don’t want someone else making or telling our stories…So it’s really important for you guys to show up and show out.”
Special introductory remarks were given by veteran producer and past APFE “Irene Cho Award” honoree Nina Yang Bongiovi, who added:
“FROM HAWAI’I TO HOLLYWOOD… I feel like it’s something that I personally love because I spent the last 6 years here back and forth from Hollywood and Hawai’i because I’ve been developing multiple projects here with incredible writers and filmmakers and that’s how I got to meet Alika at one of these meetings… he was making this film and his team asked me to join them. And I really wanted to understand the infrastructure of production here [in Hawai’i]. What can be improved, what’s great, what can continue to do to support filmmakers here and that’s why I’m here.”
Nina added, “It’s pretty critical to me that you get to tell your own stories… and you know it’s tough cause Hollywood isn’t easy, but nothing is easy. When I come here [to Hawai’i], I’m always working with my peers and my writers and directors and I’m constantly going, ‘You got to have edge, you got to be competitive!’ because you got to be able to survive on a global level… And I love the fact that everyone is so loving, but it is important that you have to be able to move above and beyond the islands. The islands are going to give you so much love but when you move above and beyond where people on the mainland get to see your film, in Europe and Asia get to see your film, then you start moving the needle when it comes to storytelling.
During the panel, where Hawai’i-born and raised creatives shared their experiences in navigating between Hawai’i and Hollywood, Director Alika Tengan said, “For myself, I’ve still lived here [in Hawai’i] for my whole life.. but have had great experiences every time I’ve gone to LA for various festivals. Shoutout to David Magdael… circling back to what you were talking about this whole thing and connections because he introduced me to [my producer] Nina Yang Bongiovi. That was amazing.” Alika also noted, “I’ve been fortunate enough to work on my own things here. It’s hard but it’s humbling. I’m pretty full to still be here and make a living doing it because I’m super inspired by the people and the places and I try to put it into the work.”
Screenwriter Chris Kekaniokalani Bright smiled and added, “I like LA, but I prefer it [in Hawai’i]. That’s why I moved back. But it is actually very possible to go back and forth. I go to LA for about a couple of weeks, maybe once every two to three months. I actually find it’s helped me and my career. When you go out for only two weeks and they set up a meeting, they can’t say no because you’re only there for a little while. [laughs] So that’s great! But it’s also just nice for me personally as much as I love LA, I have so many friends there to just stay grounded here. The culture’s just different. It’s easy to just get lost in LA, but it’s also great. You kind of need to do it… if you want to do this and you know you want to go the Hollywood route as I did, you kind of have to start there. That’s the only way and then you can maybe come back. But with ZOOM, I haven’t done a pitch in-person in like three years? It’s great! It’s very possible.”
Filmmaker Erin Lau who is now based in Los Angeles said, “I’ll be honest, it’s hard. I think on a regular basis, I have to reflect all over again: ‘is it time to go home? Does it make sense to go home?’ Because I left after college, I was really lucky–I want to give ʻŌiwi TV a lot of credit for helping me with this. I felt one of the big things was being very rooted in who you are before you start to embark to new places and leave. I think what helped me in getting settled into Los Angeles was having that but finding my community there. I dance in hālau up there, I hang with all my Hawai’i friends there, I surf with my Hawai’i friends there and so I have found a hui for me and a circle for me that keeps me grounded in who I am so that when it gets a little trifling, I can come back and be recentered in that.”
Rounding out the conversation, the panelists were asked who are the creatives from Hawai’i that Hollywood should be looking out for.
Chris Kekaniokalani Bright offered, “There’s a great writer… he’s become a great friend of mine–Matt Dekneef. Is he here? Awesome! Put him on blast, right there! I read a couple of his stuff, he’s fantastic. He’s been in every [talent development] program, he’s in every single one. And I hope to work with him very, very soon.”
Alika Tengan agreed and added, “Matt was also a wonderful co-producer on ‘Molaka’i Bound’ so I second that. But also Justyn Ah Chong was our first AD and co-producer and also a filmmaker in his own right. I know [Aina] Paikai has one of the great roles in our film as well. He’s such an awesome talent. And Bryson Chun, of course.”
Erin Lau chimed in and said, “Ciara Lacey is a hammer. Everyone should watch her animated short “The Queen’s Flowers” at the festival. It will be the short everyone should show their children for generations to come. I also want to call out Ty Sanga who is one of the OGs of Kanaka Hawai’i filmmakers and also Uncle Chris Kahunahana wherever you are [in the crowd]. And then keep an eye out for all the wonderful film students coming out of UH’s [Academy for Creative Media System]’s program. They nurture Alika and I and many of the people we also talked about. We are finding our way. Invest in who comes next.”
APFE Roll Call photo at first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel and Networking Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Afterwards, the crowd cheered and applauded, and gathered for APFE’s signature “Roll Call” family photo. Plus, attendees watched a sneak peek of Warner Bros. upcoming film, MICKEY 17 from Academy Award-winning writer/director of “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho.
Thank you to the entire APFE team — David Magdael, Minji Chang, Laarni Rosca Dacanay, Michelle Sugihara, Milton Liu, Rhian Moore, Jes Vu, and Grace Kao — for your tireless (volunteer) efforts. Thank you to our local partners at HIFF including Anderson Le, Jana Park, Ross Matlin, Aaron Hansen, and the entire HIFF44 team and volunteers. Mahalo to James Beard Semi-Finalist, Hawaiian Airlines Featured Chef and Kapa Hale Owner Chef Keaka Lee, Heather Smith-Lee, and the Kapa Hale staff for the delicious local fare and festive drinks.
Thank you to our partners, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), Warner Bros. Discovery Access, NBCUniversal LAUNCH, and Scriptini – for without which none of this would be possible.
You can use the code APFE1415T to get 5 free tokens on Scriptini! Offer lasts until November 30, 2024.
For photos of the event, please head to the links below:
Please credit our photographer Sthanlee B. Mirador (@sthanlee) and tag us at @APFExp and #APFE on social media!
Attendees line up outside Kapa Hale for the first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel & Reception at #HIFF44.
APFE volunteers, along with HIFF staff huddle before doors open at Kapa Hale for first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel & Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
APFE Founder and award-winning publicist David Magdael, with HIFF’s Anderson Le, panelist Alika Tengan, and editor Charlize Toratani at first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel & Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Panelists Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Erin Lau greet a young film enthusiast at first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel and Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
APFE Leader Michelle K. Sugihara and Executive Director, CAPE, with guest panelists Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Alika Tengan, Erin Lau, and Nina Yang Bongiovi, who delivered a special introduction at the APFE at #HIFF44 Filmmaker Panel and Reception. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Guests line up for specially-curated drinks at first-ever APFE Filmmaker and Networking Reception at #HIFF44, including the “Dirty Scriptini” (martini) named in honor of sponsor Scriptini. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Attendees don colorful native wear at first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel and Networking Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Fellow Pinoys pose at the first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel and Networking Reception at #HIFF44 with Ramona Diaz, APFE Founder David Magdael, and APFE Leader Laarni Rosca Dacanay. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
Front row: APFE collective partner, CAPE’s Rhian Moore and Jes Vú. Back row: APFE’s David Magdael, CAPE’s Michelle Sugihara, Panelists Alika Tengan, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Erin Lau, Award-winning producer Nina Yang Bongiovi, with APFE’s Minji Chang and Laarni Rosca Dacanay at first-ever APFE Filmmaker Panel and Networking Reception at #HIFF44. Photo Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador @sthanlee
ABOUT APFE: Established in 2002 in Park City, Utah to honor and recognize the cinematic artists whose works premiered at the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience foregrounds and celebrates the creative products of Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Asian international cinema artists. APFE is a collective whose core programmers include the Asian American Media Alliance, CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), David Magdael & Associates, Kollaboration, and Laarni Rosca Dacanay.
Learn more about the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience and how it all began in 2002 and follow APFE (@apfexp) on Instagram for more updates.
