Hawaii International Film Festival Fall (HIFF) 2025

Hawai‘i International Film Festival Fall 2025 (HIFF45) lights up O‘ahu from October 15–26 in Honolulu, then expands islandwide through mid‑November with screenings and events on West O‘ahu and the Neighbor Islands, marking the festival’s 45th anniversary with premieres, awards, a new industry conference, and community programs rooted in aloha. Official festival dates place the Honolulu run first, followed by Kapolei and Neighbor Island engagements through November 16, with early‑bird passes already on sale and the first wave of films announced in late August. Social and partner channels echo the schedule and confirm that HIFF45 is presented by Halekulani, with in‑theater venues centered at Consolidated Theatres Kahala and Consolidated Theatres Ward with TITAN LUXE for O‘ahu, alongside special presentations at Regal Dole Cannery in the build‑up to fall.

Key dates and where it happens

• Honolulu: October 15–26, 2025, the flagship in‑person run with galas, spotlights, and competitive sections.
• West O‘ahu & Neighbor Islands: October 28–November 16, 2025, including Kapolei (Oct 28–30), Kaua‘i (Nov 1–2), Waimea on Hawai‘i Island and Maui (Nov 8–9), Hilo (Nov 14–16), and Moloka‘i (Nov 15–16) per the first‑look announcement.
• Venues: Consolidated Theatres Kahala and Ward with TITAN LUXE are the primary O‘ahu cinemas listed by the presenting sponsor; HIFF’s in‑person pages also reference activity at Regal Dole Cannery around HIFF Selects and member presentations ahead of the festival.

What HIFF45 brings in 2025

• World and U.S. premieres, Asia‑Pacific focus: HIFF continues as a vanguard forum for Asian and Pacific cinema, with a programming ethos of “cinema without borders” and “stories without limits” that highlights new voices from across the region alongside global standouts.
• First‑ever HIFILM Industry Conference: 2025 introduces an industry conference during the fall festival, complementing screenings with panels, keynotes, workshops, and professional networking to catalyze production and distribution ties in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
• Academy Award–qualifying shorts: HIFF remains an Oscar‑qualifying festival for short films; winners of Best Short Film and Best Made in Hawai‘i Short are eligible for Animated or Live Action Short consideration at the Academy Awards.

Passes, tickets, and program drops

• Early‑bird passes: On sale now via HIFF.org for the 45th anniversary edition, with tiered benefits that typically include priority reservations, discounted ticket blocks, and access to special events.
• Lineup reveals: A first wave of ten films was released August 29, with the full lineup scheduled for mid‑September; film pages and the Elevent ticket portal will populate with showtimes as the schedule locks.
• Social updates: HIFF’s Instagram bio and posts list the 10/15–26 Honolulu dates and the 10/28–11/16 Neighbor Island window, with rolling venue and member event updates ahead of fall; X/Twitter mirrors pass‑sale prompts and date confirmations.

Submissions and eligibility (for filmmakers)

• Final deadlines for 2025 submissions closed in June, with notification on August 29; HIFF prioritizes Hawai‘i premieres and favors world or U.S. premieres, with rules detailed on FilmFreeway and HIFF’s call‑for‑entries pages.
• Categories: Features, shorts, documentary, animation, experimental, student films, and Made in Hawai‘i, with a historical emphasis on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander storytellers as a core mandate.

Venues and viewing experience on O‘ahu

• Consolidated Theatres Kahala: A key HIFF venue for premieres and festival programs; the HIFF venue page outlines address and ongoing HIFF Selects screenings that prime audiences year‑round.
• Consolidated Theatres Ward with TITAN LUXE: Premium large‑format auditoriums near Kaka‘ako arts and dining; often a hub for gala screenings and special presentations.
• Regal Dole Cannery: Frequently used for special advance screenings and HIFF Selects; August programming in 2025 included member events and international previews.

What’s new and notable in 2025

• HIFILM Industry Conference: New to HIFF45, this forum aims to convene producers, distributors, streamers, and creators for panels and workshops that support Hawai‘i’s production ecosystem and cross‑Pacific collaboration; details roll out with the full schedule in September.
• Wider island reach: With Kapolei and multiple Neighbor Island stops on weekends through November 16, HIFF45 continues the statewide model that makes HIFF distinctive among U.S. festivals.
• Education and ‘Ōpio Fest momentum: After rebranding the spring showcase to HIFF ‘Ōpio Fest in 2025, the fall festival builds on youth‑centric programs and education tracks to connect emerging creatives with industry and craft workshops.

Planning tips for attendees

• Book passes early: Anniversary‑year demand and the new conference may push certain screenings and sessions to capacity; passes unlock earlier booking windows when showtimes drop mid‑September.
• Map your cluster: Plan blocks of films at Ward or Kahala for easier parking and dining between screenings; Kaka‘ako eateries near Ward and Kahala Mall restaurants simplify tight turnarounds.
• Leave buffers for Q&As: HIFF’s signature post‑screening discussions often run long—build 30–45 minutes of cushion before the next film, especially for gala and spotlight titles.
• Neighbor Island weekends: If traveling, align with Kaua‘i (Nov 1–2), Waimea/Maui (Nov 8–9), Hilo (Nov 14–16), or Moloka‘i (Nov 15–16) dates; two‑day passes at partner venues typically bundle shorts and features with guest Q&As.

For filmmakers and industry

• Premiere positioning: HIFF’s Hawai‘i premiere policy and Oscar‑qualifying shorts track make it a strategic launch pad for regional and awards‑tactic campaigns; the HIFILM conference adds meetings and panels to amplify exposure.
• Community impact: HIFF’s mission centers cultural exchange across Asia, the Pacific, and North America; Made in Hawai‘i competitions and Native Hawaiian/PI spotlights remain pillars, with awards announced during the festival’s closing days.
• Press and buyers: Expect local and regional press, Pacific‑focused critics’ programs (e.g., HOCCI cohort calls), and streamers scouting Asia‑Pacific and Indigenous content; monitor HIFF’s industry newsletter for accreditation windows.

Why HIFF matters

• A bridge festival: HIFF’s geographies and curatorial lens make it a rare bridge between Asia‑Pacific cinema and North American audiences, building careers and conversations that ripple far beyond a single market.
• Statewide and inclusive: Few U.S. festivals travel programming across an archipelago; HIFF’s Honolulu anchor and Neighbor Island weekends improve access and cultivate statewide film culture.
• Track record: From award‑winning shorts that move on to the Oscars to early looks at international breakouts, HIFF consistently surfaces talent and stories that define the year in cinema.

Verified details at a glance

• Festival: HIFF45 Fall Festival presented by Halekulani.
• Honolulu dates: Oct 15–26, 2025.
• West O‘ahu & Neighbor Islands: Oct 28–Nov 16, 2025, with island‑specific weekends published in the first‑look release.
• Venues (O‘ahu): Consolidated Theatres Kahala and Ward with TITAN LUXE; pre‑festival and member events at Regal Dole Cannery.
• Passes: Early‑bird passes on sale at HIFF.org; full lineup in mid‑September; Elevent portal for tickets and showtimes.
• New in 2025: HIFILM Industry Conference during the fall festival.
• Oscar‑qualifying shorts: Best Short Film and Best Made in Hawai‘i Short eligible for Academy Awards consideration.

Reserve passes now, pencil the Honolulu window for galas and spotlights, and plan a Neighbor Island weekend for an encore closer to home. When the full lineup drops in mid‑September, build a personal schedule with space for Q&As and the new industry conference—and be ready to discover films that cross oceans and cultures while staying rooted in aloha on O‘ahu screens this fall.