MEDIA RELEASE

Gates Performing Arts Center at Hawaii Preparatory Academy is one of the host venues for the Second Annual Waimea Ocean Film Fesitval, which runs Jan. 4-8, in Waimea and at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The festival continues on to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai January 10-13.

Thirty-six films from local and international filmmakers will focus on a range of topics that include the ocean world and ocean life, human experience and impacts, and island cultures.

Breakfast talks with filmmakers and other speakers will give attendees the opportunity to hear firsthand about the films and filmmaking process, as well learn about various fields, such as ocean photography.

Here are a few of the films that will be screened:

* “Family of the Wa‘a” — an exciting film about Kimokeo Kapahulehu and the journey he organized and inspired to unite all 1,750 miles of the Hawaiian Islands by canoe. Kapahulehua and Fairmont Orchid General Manager Chris Leudi, who also completed the 1,750-mile journey, will be on hand after the film to answer questions.

* “Last Paradise” — a fun film about a group of friends growing up together in New Zealand who become the pioneers of today’s extreme sports. New Zealand filmmaker and physicist Clive Neeson will be on hand to talk about the film.

* “Spoil” — an award-winning film, brings seven world-renowned photographers and three videographers on a 14-day expedition to British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest to thoroughly document the region’s landscapes, wildlife, and culture. The Great Bear Rainforest, home to the elusive spirit bear, and one of Canada’s most pristine and unique ecosystems, is under threat by a proposed pipeline project.

* “Green Fire!” — explores the life and legacy of famed conservationist Aldo Leopold and the ways his land ethic philosophy lives on in the work of people and organizations today. The film shares highlights from Leopold’s life and extraordinary career. Leopold’s vision of a community that cares about both people and the land offers inspiration and insight for the future.

* “Thirty Thousand” — documents the journey of twin brothers Richard and Andrew James as they travel 30,000 kilometres down the west coast of Africa, surfing in Morocco, Western Sahara, Senegal, Liberia, Angola, Namibia and South Africa. A very beautiful film, capturing the joy and beauty of surfing, and the majesty of the continent.

* “The City Dark” — a feature documentary about the disappearing night sky. After moving to New York City from rural Maine, filmmaker Ian Cheney asks a simple question, “Do we need the stars?” Cheney unravels the myriad implications of a globe glittering with lights, including a generation of kids growing up without the stars. Cheney and Chadd Paishon will present a breakfast talk on what the stars mean to us as people.

* “Happy” — produced by Tom Shadyak, combines powerful human stories from around the world with cutting edge science to give us a deeper understanding of our most valued emotion. Directed by Roko Belic, Happy has been sweeping audience and film festival awards across the country.

Featured speakers include Jake Eberts, who produced films such as Gandhi, Dances With Wolves, Chariots of Fire, A River Runs Through It, and Oceans; Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado, who will discuss energy as a solvable problem and the work he did to help position Colorado as a leader in an emerging green energy economy; and HPA’s Marc Rice, director of the school’s Sea Turtle Research Program, who will discuss the program’s work with Hawaiian green turtles in partnership with the Marine Turtle Research Program, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

Exhibits include original photographs taken on the 1976 voyage of Hokulea to Tahiti, which opens with a blessing and discussion on at 4 p.m. Jan. 5 at Kahilu Theater.

Passes start at $35 for a Student Film Pass (K-12), $85 for a Waimea 6-Punch Pass (6 films), and $195 for Waimea or Four Seasons Film Pass.

Festival passes are available on the festival website, from the festival office, or the hospitality desk at Kahilu Theatre, which opens at 9 a.m. Jan. 4.

For more information, contact Christie Cash at christiecash@mac.com or 808-315-0805.

For the complete program, click on the PDF button below.

— Find out more:
www.waimeaoceanfilm.org