This year the Maui Film Festival celebrates 14 years of joining the film industry with our island culture. And Hawaii will be at the forefront, with the festival starting with the debut screening of Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau by Sam George at the Celestial Cinema, as well as a Visionary Award presentation for Aikau (represented by his family) and Nainoa Thompson of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
“After 14 years of being the curator of the Maui Film Festival, there has not been a schedule I’m more proud of,” says Barry Rivers, festival director. “This year’s festival aims to have a program that intersects smart and heart.”
Actress Kirsten Dunst will accept the Pathfinder award on Friday, and actress Jessica Chastain will be honored Saturday evening with the Nova Award. On Sunday, actress Brie Larson will get the Rising Star Award. Many of the filmmakers of the films getting screened will be present, and the filmmaker’s panels on Saturday at the Wailea Beach Marriott will give folks a chance to get intimate with the movie-making process.
River’s Film Festival has a great lineup of films that will screen in Wailea at the Celestial Cinema, the amazing outdoor theater on the golf course, Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater in Kahului, and the Seaside Cinema between the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea where you can catch free screenings.
What’s more, you can do your red carpet thing at the gala events. There, you can rub elbows with celebs and filmmakers while noshing and sipping with the creme de la creme of Wailea till the wee hours. The opening night Twilight reception on Wednesday, June 13 at Hotel Wailea will feature haute Hawaiian cuisine by Capische? (your ticket will also include access to the evening’s films at Celestial Cinema). Then there’s the event cacao aficionados wait all year for: The Taste of Chocolate at the Four Seasons kicks off Friday evening at 8pm. This year, Mabanzi Marima Maui will be entertaining with African tunes.
On Saturday, Wailea’s exclusive tasting event gives festival attendees a chance to sample the best creations of the top chefs in Wailea. Taste of Wailea’s chef’s tables read like a who’s who in the culinary community: Alan Wong’s Amasia, Cameron Lewark of Spago, Ruth’s Chris Steak House featuring Dan Bader, Bev Gannon’s Joe’s and Gannon’s, Peter Merriman’s Monkeypod Kitchen, Mulligan’s on the Blue featuring Chef Danny LeBag, Ko and Chef Tylun Pang, Mark Ellman’s Mala, Brandon Shim at Tommy Bahama and Capische’s Brian Etheredge and Chris Kulis. The Taste of Wailea is a culinary masterpiece, paired with wines by Southern Wine and Spirits, Pau Vodka, and and Stella Artois on draft. Tom Conway and Lily Meola will be entertaining until the sun sets and the films start rolling.
On Sunday, get yourself up early for some Wailea Beach time and participate in the Hollywood Sand Sculpture Contest in front of the Grand Wailea at 8am. The festival ends late on the golf course Sunday, but not before residents and visitors alike have enjoyed scores of shorts, documentaries, action flicks, cartoons, comedies and dramas.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, June 12
MACC: Films – 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
Seaside Cinema Lounge, Wailea Beach: Toes in the sand ‘town center’ and information booth – 7am-3pm
Opening Night Twilight Reception: Capische in Hotel Wailea – 5:30pm-7:30pm
Celestial Cinema at Wailea: Opening chant & Halau – 6:30pm; Nainoa Thompson and Eddie Aikau Visionary Tribute, Aikau Family – 8pm
Thursday, June 13
MACC: Films – 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
Seaside Cinema Lounge, Wailea Beach: Toes in the sand ‘town center’ and information booth – 7am-3pm
Celestial Cinema at Wailea: Harriet Witt – 8pm
Friday, June 13
Seaside Cinema Lounge, Wailea Beach: Toes in the sand ‘town center’ and information booth – 7am-3pm
Celestial Cinema at Wailea, Pathfinder Tribute to Kirsten Dunst with Q&A; Harriet Witt – 8pm
Taste of Chocolate, Four Seasons – 8-10pm
Saturday, June 15
MACC: Films – 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
Seaside Cinema Lounge, Wailea Beach: Toes in the sand ‘town center’ and information booth – 7am-3pm
Wailea Beach Marriott, Mei Court: Filmmaker Panels – 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
Taste of Wailea – 4:30-7pm
Celestial Cinema at Wailea: Nova Tribute to Jessica Chastain with Q&A – 8pm
Seaside Cinema, Wailea Beach: Harriet Witt – 8pm; Film – 8:15pm
Sunday, June 16
MACC, Films: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
Seaside Cinema Lounge, Wailea Beach: Toes in the sand ‘town center’ and information booth – 7am-3pm
Hollywood Sand Sculpture Contest: 8am-2pm
Celestial Cinema at Wailea: Rising Star Tribute to Brie Larson with Q&A – 6:30pm; Harriet Witt – 8pm
Photos courtesy of Maui Film Festival
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