Starting Wednesday, June 15, Wailea explodes in a bevy of celebrity-studded galas and films for five days. I don’t envy anyone trying to decide what to attend, because you’re going to want to do it all. Here’s the inside info on the parties and a couple of hacks to make the best of your choices.
Start the festival off with a dress-your-best party at the Molokini Gardens in the Grand Wailea. Rub elbows with the Who’s Who of the festival while you imbibe and sup elegant hors d’oeuvres made by the resort’s chefs: grilled flat breads, oysters and poke, ribs and uni mac salad, plus a whole section of specialty sweets like halo halo shots, vegan chocolate cake and other delights. You can validate and valet park at the Grand Wailea–remember to go to the second entrance because it’s a shorter walk to the Gardens.
The Celestial Cinema starts Wednesday night with the Rising Star Award presentations that go to Kelly Rohrbach and Wyatt Russell. Thursday, the Rainmaker Award will go to Michael B. Jordan. Parking is at the Wailea Resort Event Parking Lot at the top of Wailea Ike Drive. From there, shuttles run continuously starting at 6:15pm. All shuttles will return to the Event Parking Lot at the end of each feature film and special event. If you’re staying in Wailea, a free MFF Shuttle will be available upon request at the front entrance of your resort.
Spago’s VIP Soiree and honoree celebration runs $295 on Thursday. It supports the community screenings. Friday’s decadent event is the biggest chocolate party Maui has ever seen. Four Seasons Pastry Chef Bruce Trouyet is pulling out all his cacao tricks in six sugary action stations. It’s not all truffles either–the savory and sweet pizza options include short rib and beef alongside Nutella and M & M’s.
Become the ultimate film nerd and take advantage of the Saturday Filmmakers Panels at $12 each at the Wailea Beach Marriott. They’re full of insight and packed with industry panelists–filmmakers who’ve done the hard work and have a lot to offer budding and seasoned film buffs.
The Taste of Wailea is a phenomenon at the Maui Film Festival. You can’t find another opportunity during the year to eat at every sensational restaurant in the Wailea area in one sitting. It’s incredible wines and cocktails and live entertainment by ManaBrasil, all while hovering above the Celestial Cinema at the Leadbetter Private Golf Academy.
The Toes in the Sand cinema on Saturday is a special screening on the beach of Hawaii-made films. This venue is free to the public and held on Wailea beach. The four films featured here are fun, cultural and captivating. God is a Dog is about man’s special connection with our four-legged friend. Poke to da Max shares how poke has spread aloha around the world through Chef Sam Choy. Aina concerns agriculture and our land. And The Roots of ‘Ulu follows the history of hulu to native practitioners and the vision of ‘ulu today.
Baller Tip:
Dine at the fabulous Gannon’s before your film and get complimentary parking and a beach chair to sit on in Gannon’s own special reserved section at the celestial cinema.
Mauitime.com is giving away Maui Film Festival tickets. Sign up online!
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Maui Film Festival Schedule of Events
(compiled by Justin Fanella)
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Taste of Summer Opening Night Party
Molokini Gardens, Grand Wailea Resort & Spa – 5-7pm
*21 years & over
$170. Each ticket includes admission to Wednesday Night’s Celestial Cinema double feature.
Taste of Summer Menu
Hawaiian Poke Station: Hamachi , Ahi, Crispy Shrimp, Lemongrass Rice, Local Ogo
Oyster Bar: Fresh Shucked Oysters, Poached Kauai Prawns, House Made Sauces
Squid Ink Brioche, Kona Crab Cake , Maui Onion Slaw
Maui Brewing Root Beer Glazed Lamb Ribs, Sea Urchin Mac Salad
Al Pastor Taco Station, Roasted Kula Corn, Surfing Feta, Hawaiian Chili Water
Roasted Local Beets, Quinoa, Toasted Pistachios, Fig Balsamic
Grilled Flat Breads:
Wild Hamakua Mushroom, Fresh Summer Truffles
Slow Roasted Mango Glazed Pork, Caramelized Maui Onion
Carving Station: Tomahawk Ribeye, Heirloom Marble Potato, Chimichurri
For The Sweet Tooth
Dark Chocolate Namelaka, Cherry Pearls
Coconut Tres Leches Shot, Mango Cremeux
Vegan Dark Chocolate Cake (Also Gluten Free)
“Halo Halo” Shot, Evaporated Milk Panna Cotta, Young Coconut Station
Kumu Farms Coconut Cake, Liquid Nitrogen Coconut Sorbet, Lilikoi Siphon Foam
Rising Star Award Ceremony
Kelly Rohrbach and Wyatt Russell – Honorees
Celestial Cinema, Wailea – 8pm
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Rainmaker Award Ceremony
Michael B. Jordan – Honoree
Celestial Cinema, Wailea – 8pm
Spago VIP Soiree
Spago 10pm-12am, $295
Friday, June 17, 2016
Navigator Award Ceremony
Viola Davis – Honoree
Celestial Cinema, Wailea – 8pm
Taste of Chocolate
Four Seasons Resort, Wailea, Maui – 9-11pm
*21 years & over
$170. Ticket Includes One Free Celestial Cinema Ticket Valid For 6/15, 6/16, 6/17 or 6/18
Taste of Chocolate Menu
(By Four Seasons Resort Wailea Pastry Chef Bruce Trouyet)
Action Station 1
Molten Chocolate and Salted Caramel insert
Chocolate Fountain; Skewered Fresh Fruits,
3 varieties of Shortbread, Pate de Fruit, etc.
Action Station 2
Chocolate Macaroon: Set up on a sugar display;
Finishing with Jet 27 Cloud
Japanese Fountain with Chocolate
Action Station 3
Chocolate Truffles: Coated with Chocolate a la minute;
Guest has choice of different crust: Pistachio, Coconut or Chocolate
Action Station 4
White Chocolate plated dessert, finished a la minute Hazelnut
Dacquoise, Feullantine & Milk Chocolate Cream
Caramelized Pecan Brownies & Chocolate Cremeux
Lemon Tartlet & Light White Chocolate Cream
Milk Chocolate Panacotta & Tropical Fruit
“After Eight Tartlet”
Action Station 5 – Pizza Station
Savory & Sweet – Decide your topping:
Mascarpone / Braised Short Rib / Nutella / M&M / Cocoa Nibs
Air Dried Beef / Caramelized Pear / Pineapple / Banana
Macadamia Nut / Pistachio
Action Station 6
Chef Donald Wressell – Live Show Pieces
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Filmmakers Panels
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa Mei Court – 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
$12 each
Activist Cinema AKA What’s Up Docs!
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Mei Court – 10:30am
Going Deep. Living Large. No Regrets.
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Mei Court – 11:30am
There’s A Lotta Love On The Screen.
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Mei Court – 12:30pm
Cinema. Culture. Wisdom. Hawai’i. & Beyond.
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Mei Court – 1:30pm
Taste of Wailea
Wailea Gold & Emerald Golf Course – 4:30-7pm
*21 years and over
$170. Each ticket includes admission to Saturday Night’s Celestial Cinema double feature.
Taste of Wailea Menu by Restaurant
MATTEO’S
Chef Matteo Mistura
Mascarpone & lobster risotto, grilled lemon, cherry tomato & Heirloom tomato, arugula, seared ahi, salsa verde & Budino di Cioccolate alle Mandorle- almond & flax crust, chocolate budino, brown rice crispy treat, tahini butter, raspberry sauce, Black Sea salt. (gluten free, dairy free, vegan, organic)
FERRARO’S
Chef Marco Calenzo
Carbonara Agnolotti – Grilled Asparagus, Leek Ash, Crispy Guanciale & Tiramisu Cream Puff
TOMMY BAHAMA
Chef Abby Ferrer
Grilled Shrimp, White Hominy Grits, XO Sauce & Lomi Lomi Ahi, Coconut, Calamansi, Fresh Herbs & Brown Butter Blondie, Macadamia Nuts, White Chocolate Mousse, Hawaiian Sea Salt Caramel
KO
Chef Tylun Pang
Asian Braised Short Rib Ginger Scallion Jasmine Rice Congee & Brown Butter Banana Cake, Wailua Estate Chocolate Macadamia Nut Crunch
MONKEYPOD
Chef Peter Merriman
Maui Cattle New York with House-made Chimichurri Sauce & Keahole Lobster Deviled Eggs
MORIMOTO MAUI
Chef Greg Harrison
Soy Braised Kakuni, steam bun, cucumber kimchee & Pad Thai, Hearts of palm, macadamia, sprout
GRAND WAILEA
Chef Ryan Urig
Roasted Gochujang Pork belly, Big island hearts of palm, Maui onion kimchee & Passion Fruit Hawaiian Ceviche, local finger limes, housemade taro chips
MULLIGAN’S ON THE BLUE
Chef Mike O’Dwyer
Fish & Chips & Finnegans Pie
FABIANI’S
Chef Phil DeMott
Gnocchi with butternut squash, sage butter, garnished with arugula, chili essence & feta cheese
RUTH’S CHRIS
Chef Daniel Bader
Veal Ravioli & White Chocolate Bread Pudding
CAPISCHE?
Chef Brian Etheredge
Ahi crudo with green papaya and coconut & Tomato and watermelon gazpacho, smoked sea salt, Kauai shrimp
Navigator Award Ceremony
Bryan Cranston – Honoree
Celestial Cinema, Wailea – 8pm
Toes in the Sand Cinema
Free to the public, held on Wailea Beach – 8pm
Screening God is a Dog, The Roots of ‘Ulu, Aina: That Which Feeds Us and Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max
Park at the Wailea Beach Parking lot
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