Hawai'i-linked films take 6 festival awards
Advertiser Staff
The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival has recognized a record six Hawai'i filmmakers and projects this year, including the late Kayo Hatta, who was honored for her work on her seminal independent film "Picture Bride" and for her final project, "Fishbowl."
The awards were presented Friday night at a reception at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. All of the winning films were screened again yesterday.
Hatta, who died this summer, was given the state-sponsored Film in Hawaii Award for her contributions to the local film industry. Hatta also won the Hawaii Film & Videomaker Award, sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for her short film "Fishbowl," based on Lois-Ann Yamanaka's novel "Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers."
Vince Keala Lucero's "Wahine O Ke Kai," about Donna Kahi Kahakui's ocean paddling odyssey from O'ahu to Ni'ihau, was given an honorable mention in the short category.
Hawaiian Airlines Audience Choice Awards went to Eddie and Myrna Kamae's "Keepers of the Flame" (best documentary film) and Ryan Kawamoto's "Sand Island Drive-Inn Anthem."
Gerard Elmore's "Valtor the Great Vs. the Universe" shared the Honolulu Magazine Award for Best Short Film with the Israeli film "Crickets."
Other winners:
Earlier this month, LVHIFF honored director Zhang Yimou with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson will receive the festival's International Achievement in Acting Award next month. The festival is also planning to recognize Toei Film Studios in Hawai'i with the LVHIFF Award of Excellence later this year.
