Explaining the appeal of the Maui Film Festival is as easy as selling a double scoop chocolate ice cream cone to a child. It’s all about that first night at the Celestial Cinema: the audience sits outside on a warm night, surrounded by hundreds of filmgoers, taking part in a cinematic Woodstock. Although the event is on a golf course at the Grand Wailea, the setting feels more … [Read more...] about ‘Passionately Created, Intelligently Designed and Endlessly Inspiring’ – Talking story with Maui Film Festival’s Founder, Barry Rivers
Barry Rivers
Maui Film Festival presents 19th annual First Light: Academy Screenings
The Maui Film Festival is presenting its 19th annual First Light: Academy Screenings on Maui, as part of their holiday celebration of cinema. Barry Rivers, the founder and director of First Light said, “This year’s First Light is a return to the First Light’s roots,” when the festival would showcase films from New York, LA and Aspen, that were not yet available here on Maui. … [Read more...] about Maui Film Festival presents 19th annual First Light: Academy Screenings
Maui Film Festival Opening Night
It’s been many years since I’ve attended the Maui Film Festival, and I’m supremely thankful for the opportunity to check it out this year! So the pressure is on. But honestly, I feel a smidge out-of-practice. And my navigation skills are sub-par. After getting lost by the koi ponds of the Grand Wailea’s immense property (seriously, did it get bigger?), my partner Andrew … [Read more...] about Maui Film Festival Opening Night
‘Kuleana’ filmmaker Brian Kohne talks about his film’s Maui Film Festival premiere
When I met up with filmmaker Brian Kohne for lunch in the conference room of Tasty Crust in Wailuku, he admitted it was his first time ever being in that room. "Kathy Collins and I come here for lunch to talk story, but I've never been in here," he said. It filled me with pride to show him one of the few spots on Maui he's never encountered. Since Kohne specializes in capturing … [Read more...] about ‘Kuleana’ filmmaker Brian Kohne talks about his film’s Maui Film Festival premiere
Maui Film Festival: ‘Grand Unified Theory’ asks what you want in the world
When we get caught up in the tempestuous waves of today’s scarily surreal socio-political shitstorm, cinema offers us a lighthouse guiding us back to our shared humanity. This is the premise by which Barry Rivers and his dutiful team of cinephiles present the movies that make up this year’s Maui Film Festival. Just as they’ve done for the last 17 years, Rivers and company … [Read more...] about Maui Film Festival: ‘Grand Unified Theory’ asks what you want in the world