Tax Dept. Clarifies Act 221 Standards

DoTax Director Kurt Kawafuchi

At a luncheon hosted by the Hawaii Science & Technology Council and the Hawaii Venture Capital Association yesterday, Hawaii's Director of Taxation Kurt Kawafuchi presented some revised standards for Act 221 (investment tax credit) claims.

Sometime in the next few weeks, the Dept. of Taxation (DoTax) will issue a new Tax Information Release (TIR) to formalize these standards, which clarify what investors in QHTBs (qualified high technology businesses, which include film and television production companies) must do to prove that their investments are genuine, or, as DoTax puts it, have "economic substance and business purpose," and are not made for the primary purpose of claiming Act 221 credits.

There are certain instances in which investors are automatically in the clear with regard to their investments having "economic substance and business purpose"--these guys get what DoTax likes to call the "safe harbor" treatment (as in, phew! we're safe, DoTax won't challenge us on our credit claim, yay!). In order to wade in the the calm warm waters of the "safe harbor," 2 of 3 tests must be satisfied:

1. No frontloading of credits - Get your credits back at the prescribed sequential annual rates-- 35% in year 1, 25% in year 2, 20% in year 3, and 10% in each of years 4 and 5--and no sooner.

2. Reduction in economic value - In year 1, the investor will get back credits with an after-tax value of 50% of his/her actual investment. This proves that the investor is taking a real risk with his/her money by putting it into a Hawaii QHTB.

3. Limited equity shifting - The investor must keep at least 50% of the equity interest in the investment in the QHTB in exchange for a higher share of tax credits--in other words, only up to half of the equity may be shifted from one investor to another.

Is this gobbledygook to you? Well, check back for a post on the actual final TIR in the next few weeks. (Then watch your head really spin!)

Also at the luncheon, according to the Star-Bulletin (I had to duck out early), it was announced that between 2001 and 2004, the state certified $184.5 million in tax credits (claimable over 5 years), and of that sum, $74.9 million has been actually claimed so far.

>> State agency liberalizes high-tech tax credits [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 9/29/06]

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>> Act 221 Fees & Comfort Rulings Demystified
>> Tech Comm'ty: Don't Denigrate Act 221
>> Act 221 = $108M So Far
>> Numerology: 221, 215, 235-110.9

"Polynesian Power" on PBS Tonight

A newly updated version of "Polynesian Power: Islanders in Pro Football" by Jeremy Spear and Robert Pennington premieres at 8pm tonight, 9/28, on PBS Hawaii (channel 10).

Narrated by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Polynesian Power” chronicles the ascent of Polynesians in American football and the cultural history that defines this journey. Profiling two Samoan athletes, Isaac Sopoaga and Pisa Tinoisamoa -- one from the islands and one from the ‘hood, the program explores America’s diversity and the challenge of chasing dreams.

The documentary was originally broadcast on ESPN. This recently completed PBS version, presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications, features a new 10 minute section with Pisa and Isaac as NFL Pros and a new riveting montage of action shots from NFL Films.

If you do not live in Hawaii, please check your regional PBS Station at www.pbs.org to find out if the show is scheduled for broadcast in your area.

RELATED POSTS:
>> Premiere of PBS Doc "The First Battle"
>> PBS Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
>> Around Town, 12/19/05
>> 2006 Short Film & Scholarship $ From PIC

Film Seminars at UH Pacific New Media

The University of Hawaii's Pacific New Media (PNM) program offers film-related classes and seminars year-round. You might want to check out PNM's upcoming classes, including two seminars given by entertainment attorney Mark Litwak about the legal and financial aspects of filmmaking.

>> UH Pacific New Media

Free Native Film Showcase on Mon, 9/25

Oscar-nominated "Two Cars, One Night" (Photo: Defender Films)

There will be a FREE native film showcase and panel discussion on Monday, 9/25, as part of the 5th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention. Featuring a diverse selection of short films by talented Native Hawaiian, Maori, and Seminole Indian filmmakers, the showcase covers subjects pertinent to native peoples such as self-identity, health, music, and dance.

DATE: Monday, 9/15
PLACE: Hawaii Convention Center, Lili'u Theatre, Room 310
TIME:
4:30-5:30pm Film Showcase
5:30-6:30pm Panel Discussion

Film Showcase: "Native Visions, Native Voices"
* "He Hawaii Mau" directed by Lurline Wailana McGregor
* "HIV in Hawaii: Local People, Local Stories" directed by Na’alehu Anthony & Leah Kihara
* "Kamaka Ukulele" directed by Dawn Kanaiaupio
* A short film directed by Nanakuli High School student Naturalee Puouou
* A short film directed by UH Academy for Creative Media student Brian Makanoa
* "Two Cars, One Night" directed by Taika Waititi (Oscar-nominated short)
* "Goodnight Irene" directed by Sterlin Harjo

Panel Discussion: "Technology: Empowering the Native Voice"
Native filmmakers Merata Mita (Maori), Na'alehu Anthony (Hawaiian), Brian Makanoa (Hawaiian), and Naturalee Puou (Hawaiian) will speak on a panel moderated by Hawaii State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson (Hawaiian). Panelists will discuss whether technology has enabled or hindered the efforts of native filmmakers to share their stories and visions.

RELATED POSTS:
>> Indigenous Pacific Storytelling
>> Hawaii Looks to New Zealand
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF
>> Local Filmmakers Left in the Dust
>> Hawaii vs. Hawaiian
>> Listen and Learn
>> Respecting Host Cultures While Filming
>> How Da Haoles Wen Stole Hawaii: The Film(s)
>> Office of Hawaiian Affairs Ups Media Spending

Gay Goth in Hawaii

"Dante's Cove" (Photo: here!)

What do you get when you mix gay warlocks with lesbian witches and a tropical setting? Season 2 of "Dante's Cove," a gay gothic supernatural soap opera that was shot in Hawaii and is currently airing on here! Here! is a digital cable network owned by Regent Entertainment Group, which had previously come to Hawaii to shoot telefilm "Tides of War" for Showtime. According to a Hnl Advertiser article last week, the first season of "Dante's Cove" was shot in the Caribbean (where it's set), but producers decided to move it to Hawaii in part for the tax incentives. The result? More slickly oiled hardbodies on beaches casting spells and making mischief--this time, on American turf...camp incarnate!

>> 'Dante's Cove' Where gothic meets gay [Hnl Advertiser, 9/17/06]

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>> Cheap Gay Ghost Film Coming?

"Lost" to Screen Season Premiere in Hawaii First

Mayor Mufi Hanneman introducing the cast at last year's "Sunset on the Beach" premiere

Here's another reason why "we lucky we live Hawaii": we'll be among the first to see the season 3 premiere of "Lost" at next Saturday's Sunset on the Beach event. Details:

Sunset on the Beach:
Season premiere of "Lost" & series premiere of "The Nine"
DATE: Saturday, 9/30
TIME: Red carpet arrivals start 5:30pm (don't expect to see anyone naked), screening starts 7pm
PLACE: Queen's Surf Beach, Waikiki
>> More info

The rest of the country will have to wait till Wed, 10/4 to see where the "Others" have taken the fetching castaways.

>> Isle 'Lost' fans will see season premiere first [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 9/17/06]

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>> "Lost"'s Wet Premiere
>> Lost Season 2 DVD Release Party
>> Two Recent Hawaii Premieres
>> "Beyond the Break" Premiere on Saturday

Animated Feature Film in the Works on the Big Island

Big Island-based animator G.B. Hajim is leading the production of an animated feature film, "strange frame: Love & Sax," which is being financed with the help of Act 221, Hawaii's High-Tech Business Investment Tax Credit.

Three animators and nine interns--all locals--have been hard at work on the film, a futuristic sci-fi story about fame's effect on love. Scissor Sisters and Dawn Richardson from 4Non Blondes are lending their musical talents to the project. The film is probably the largest animation project in Hawaii since "Final Fantasy." The target release date is sometime in 2009. Check out the trailer on YouTube.

RELATED POSTS:
>> Local Film Co. Enters Into $20M Agreement
>> Hawaii on YouTube
>> Hawaii's "Digital Revolution" Continues
>> "Final Fantasy" Not So Final
>> Zoom Around Oahu in Atari's New Video Game
>> Local Filmmakers Left in the Dust
>> Tech Comm'ty: Don't Denigrate Act 221

Register to Vote!

It's too late to register to vote in the Primary Election this Saturday, but don't forget to register for the General Election by October 9th! The General Election takes place on Tuesday, November 7th.

You saw last legislative session just how important your opinions were: your legislators heard your views on the film tax credit bill and passed it. Next session, there may be another bill, film-related or not, that you support or oppose--which legislators do you want representing your opinions? Keep up your civic duties and vote!

>> Register to Vote
>> Find Your Districts and Current Legislators
>> Check out the Candidates

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>> Public Testimonies Have Clout
>> Hear, Hear on Hearings
>> So That's How Bills Get Passed!
>> Brush Up Your Legislature!
>> Schoolhouse Rock Redux

New Mexico + Hollywood = "Tamalewood"

One of the 6 climate zones that New Mexico boasts (Photo: nmfilm.com)

The Hollywood Reporter published a "Location Report" today on New Mexico, the latest Hollywood darling among U.S. production locations. NM is so popular among the film set now that a local NM reporter dubbed it "Tamalewood" (badump-bump).

The state's film-friendly Governor Bill Richardson has, for the past 4 years, enacted a series of film tax incentives, each one doing the previous one better. In 2002, NM established a 15% refundable production tax credit with resident hire restrictions. In 2005, that credit was upped to 20% without the resident hire restrictions. As of Jan. 1, 2006, a 25% credit has been in effect, along with a generous and active Film Investment Loan Program, which provides 0% interest loans of up to $15M to qualified film productions in exchange for equity participation.

To date, the Loan Program has doled out a whopping $140 million-plus in financing to films shot in NM, including "Suspect Zero" starring Ben Kingsley, "Employee of the Month" starring Jessica Simpson, and upcoming films "The Flock" starring Claire Danes and horror spoof "Wanted: Undead or Alive."

What has all this celluloid fervor done for New Mexico?

• Annual production expenditures have grown 40-fold, from $3M in 2002 to a projected $117M in 2006
• New Mexico's crew base has grown from 100 in 2002 to 1,200 today
• Construction has begun on Albuquerque Studios, a $74M 28-acre production facility with 8 soundstages slated to open in early 2007

Random musing: NM claims it has 6 of the 7 climate zones and we here in Hawaii have always said we have 11 of the 13 climate zones. So if any climate/weather junkies are reading this, please clarify: just how many climate zones are there in the world--7 or 13? If it's the former, then I guess we can say we have all of them!

>> Location report: New Mexico [THR, 9/20/06]
>> New Mexico Banks on the Box Office [Business Week, 9/18/06]
>> NM Film Investment Program Report as of 5/31/06 (.pdf)

RELATED POSTS:
>> Everyone Else Is Doing It...
>> States Cannibalizing States
>> Film Incentives That Aren't Tax Credits
>> Hawaii Ranks #5 in Top 10 Places to Shoot in the US
>> Come on Down! (You Know You Want To)

Hawaii Tax Credit Ads in THR

Check out our ads for the new 15-20% film tax credit on The Hollywood Reporter's site. The ads will also run in the print version of THR and on Variety's website.

Win $100K for a 3-5 Minute Documentary on "Tolerance"

Current TV, a digital cable network started by Al Gore in August 2005, is looking for 3-5 minute non-fiction videos that pose the question: What does tolerance (or intolerance) mean to you? What are your feelings on racism? Sexism? Agism? Genocide? Homophobia? Religion?

The prize is $100K--yes, that's $100,000-- and the deadline is October 2nd. An additional $15K will be donated to a charity that fights for the winner's chosen cause. Two runners-up will receive $10K a piece. The films will be judged by accomplished industry professionals such as Edward Norton, Paul Haggis, and M. Night Shyalmalan. The winning films will premiere at a gala event attended by agents and managers. For more information and rules, go to www.current.tv/tolerance

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>> Adam Carolla Wreaks Racism Again
>> "I Have a Dream..."
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>> Cultural Insensitivity
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September "Showdown in Chinatown"

Ready, set, shoot!

Topic: A Blind Date
Props: A prescription bottle and a stuffed animal
Submission Format/Runtime: DVD only, under 7 minutes
DEADLINE: Tomorrow! Sat, 9/16, 9pm at NextDoor (43 N. Hotel St)--note, the event has grown so popular that it's moved from thirtyninehotel to NextDoor.

More info at showdowninchinatown.com

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>> August's Showdown in Chinatown
>> Two Downtown Venues Host New Film Events
>> 'Ohina Short Film Showcase: Aug 4-5

Bamboo Ridge Writers Institute, 10/13-14

Bamboo Ridge Press is holding its second annual conference, the Bamboo Ridge Writers Institute, on Fri-Sat, October 13-14 at the UH-Manoa Campus Center. The Institute consists of readings, panels, and writing workshops, with notable participants such as Lois-Ann Yamanaka, Lee Cataluna, Kealoha, Lee Tonouchi, Brenda Kwon, Juliet Kono, and Chris McKinney. Film-wise, there will be some screenwriting panels and classes, and a tribute to Kayo Hatta ("Picture Bride," "Fishbowl").

Bamboo Ridge Press is a respected local non-profit publisher founded in 1978 around which a rich Hawaii literary community has grown.

>> Bamboo Ridge Writers Institute
>> Bamboo Ridge puts future authors on write track [Hnl Advertiser, 9/10/06]

Local Indie Feature "The Hidden Battle" Screens 9/20

Two male angels battle two female demons in Jeff Katts' upcoming feature

When Jeff Katts described how he made his new feature film "The Hidden Battle" to the Star-Bulletin, he could have been talking about how almost any Hawaii indie film is made: "The technical crew was made up mostly of me...We'd just go out and do it guerilla style, always pressed for time. I took it upon myself to direct, shoot and do some lighting when needed. It was challenging, but we were able to pull off the problem-solving needed during the shoots."

"Scrappy" is the first word that comes to mind for most of our local indie film productions, which are characterized by skeleton crews, video format, and shooting around day jobs on nights and weekends.

Conceived, shot, edited, and completed entirely on Oahu, Katts' "The Hidden Battle" is to be the first in a Matrix-like trilogy about angels and demons battling over human souls. Katts opted to skip the film festival route in favor of "four-walling" it--that is, renting out a local theater for a special limited screening. "The Hidden Battle" will have two screenings only:

DATE: Wednesday, 9/20
TIMES: 6:30pm and 8:45pm
PLACE: Regal Dole Cannery Theatres
COST: $7 (tickets can only be purchased just prior to the screenings from a table set up near the main box office)

For more information, see thehiddenbattle.com

>> Filmmaker fights for his ‘Battle’ [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 9/15/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> 'Ohina Short Film Showcase: Aug 4-5
>> The Meaning of "Independent"
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF
>> Local Filmmakers Left in the Dust
>> In Production: Super 16 Short "Chief"

"Dog" Arrested

Doh!

>> 'Dog' Chapman arrested in Honolulu [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 9/14/06]
>> Bounty hunter trio faces extradition to Mexico [Hnl Advertiser, 9/15/06]

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>> It's a Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff World
>> Dog the Bounty Hunter Cries Foul at Legislature

In Production: Super 16 Short "Chief"

Oahu-based writer/director Brett Wagner is currently shooting a short film in Honolulu. "Chief" tells the story of Chief Semu Fatutoa who flees his village in Samoa after the tragic death of his daughter. Burdened by grief, he covers his tattoos and makes his way to Honolulu, where he finds a job driving a taxi. He drives in circles, slowly forgetting, until the day he is given the opportunity to save the life of a Hawaiian girl and rediscover what it means to be a chief.

In addition to Wagner, an NYU graduate film school alumnus and writer/director of feature film "Five Years," the crew of "Chief" includes some of Hawaii's most respected film professionals such as Dana Hankins (producer), Paul Atkins (director of photography), and Grace Atkins (sound). The film stars Chief Sielu Avea and is being shot on Super16mm.

The production stills below, taken by local photographer and filmmaker Sergio Goes, are from the first day of shooting last week. The scene depicts a traditional Samoan tatau (tattoo) ceremony performed by a real tufuga tatau (tattoo artist) from Samoa who is specifically authorized to do tattoos.





RELATED POSTS:
>> Respecting Host Cultures While Filming
>> 'Ohina Short Film Showcase: Aug 4-5
>> The Meaning of "Independent"
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF
>> Local Filmmakers Left in the Dust

"Path to 9/11" Director Defends Docudrama

In a Honolulu Advertiser article Saturday, Kona-raised David L. Cunningham defended "The Path to 9/11," the controversial ABC docudrama he directed: "What is important to understand is that the filmmakers who worked on this represent a wide range of political perspectives. We were in no way trying to put a slant on either the Clinton or Bush administrations. There was no agenda other than to show the facts and try to learn from what happened and did not happen, so we can be safer as a nation."

Also according to the article, the docudrama cost $40 million, took a year and a half to make, and was shot with 4 handheld cameras in the U.S., Canada, and Morocco. Its account of events leading up to the 9/11 attack first generated partisan bickering on conservative and liberal blogs before attracting the attention of the mainstream media.

>> Kona filmmaker defends 'Path to 9/11' [Hnl Advertiser, 9/9/06]

UPDATE, 9/12: Boy, this miniseries continues to generate some heated controversy! I can't comment myself (nor do I want to) because I skipped watching it (why re-live it?), but see for yourself what's goin' on:
>> ABC 9/11 Docudrama's Right-Wing Roots [The Nation, 9/11/06]
>> The Fictional Path to 9/11 [NY Times, 9/12/06]
>> Lessons Learned From ABC's `9/11' Folly [Washington Post, 9/12/06]
>> BBC did not know of 9/11 film's link to religious right [The Guardian (UK), 9/13/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> David L. Cunningham's "The Path to 9/11"
>> Emme's 9/11 Special Tonight

Emme's 9/11 Special Tonight

Wow, it's unbelievable that it's been half a decade since I overslept in my Brooklyn apartment and woke up to the Today Show coverage of a "small plane" losing its way and flying into the WTC. My instincts told me to wait it out a little before hopping on the train to go to work in Manhattan. The slow, creeping crescendo of my anxiety as more and more smoke billowed out of the tower is still palpable to me.

Of course, every American has a 9/11 story (or looks for one) no matter how direct their experience was. As far as Hawaii is from NYC, even those here have 9/11 connections. Tonight at 9pm on KHON2, local TV personality Emme Tomimbang will air her special "9-11 Remembered: Five Years Past," which includes re-edited footage from her original 9/11 special from 2002 that featured stories of several Hawaii residents who died on 9/11: Heather Ho, Rich Y.C. Lee, Maile Hale, Christine Snyder, Georgine Corrigan, and Patricia Pitchford Colodner.

>> Emme's Island Moments Presents "9-11 Remembered: Five Years Past"

RELATED POST:
>> David L. Cunningham's "The Path to 9/11"

List Your Hawaii Production Service Co. for Free

The Location Guide, a-500-some-odd page guide to filming on location around the world, is seeking Hawaii entries. Published annually, the guide provides local information on incentives, visas, studios, and production service companies. If you are a Hawaii-based production service company (equipment, studio space, catering, transport, etc.), please fill out and submit this form for a FREE listing in The Location Guide.

RELATED POST:
>> Come & Get This: 2006 Production Guide

Film Studios: If We Build 'Em, Will You Come?

Hawaii Film Studio's "Stage 2"

Pacific Business News featured a cover story today on the current state of Hawaii's film studios and soundstages. If you've been reading this blog, you already know that the Hawaii Film Office manages the largest soundstage in the state, located within the 7.5-acre Hawaii Film Studio lot. Currently, the entire lot is being rented out by ABC's "Lost," the only major network TV series we have here right now.

Back in 2004, when there were 3 network series being filmed simultaneously ("Lost" plus Fox's "North Shore" and NBC's "Hawaii"), there was a bit of a scramble for stage space. Why only the one studio? Running a film studio is an expensive endeavor, and even we have had a good deal of trouble finding tenants over the years (see timeline below). But now that we have a 15-20% production tax credit on the books, we expect a new scramble for stage space.

Enter a handful of private entities looking to build film studios on Oahu. These guys are betting on a continuous flow of productions to lease their upcoming studios. If they build them, will you come?
______________________________

Hawaii Film Studio: A Timeline

• Mid-70s: Original portion of studio leased by the University of Hawaii (UH) to CBS to build temporary facility for “Hawaii Five-O”
• 1989: Studio lease transferred from UH to Dept. of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), with Universal Studios managing complex after “Magnum P.I.” ends. Studio known as “Diamond Head Studio.”
• 1990: Universal Studios terminates management agreement because not financially feasible. DBEDT's Hawaii Film Office takes over studio management and renames studio “Oahu Film Facility.”
• 1992-1994: $10M Capital Improvement Project Phase I results in building of “Stage 2” soundstage (16,500 s.f., 29’ clear span height). Studio renamed "Hawaii Film Studio."
• 2005-2006: $7.3M Capital Improvement Project Phase II results in building of new production office building and technical building (mill, set dressing).

Longer-term tenants have included: “Hawaii Five-O,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Jake and the Fatman,” “Raven,” “The Byrds of Paradise,” “One West Waikiki,” Square USA (for "Final Fantasy"), “Baywatch Hawaii,” “Blue Crush,” “Hawaii," “North Shore,” and “Lost”
______________________________

>> As 'Lost' keeps tight control of studio, others scramble [PBN, 9/8/06]
>> Hawaii Film Studio

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>> Film Studio Renovation Blessing
>> Another Article About Film Studio
>> Hawaii Film Studio Renovation (Almost) Pau

Pennsylvania: Screw Tax Credits, We Give Cash!

Is PA trying to insure its place in the film industry in case native son M. Night Shyamalan never works in its towns again? (Photo: Warner Bros.)

Just when we thought state film tax credits couldn't get any better, the Keystone State, home of the Amish and birthplace of the hoagie, went and one-upped us all: forget tax credits, said PA, we're giving out cold, hard cash. And I'm not talking about grants to starving local independent filmmakers, I'm talking about grants to the likes of the Walt Disney Company. Disney--ever the multimedia behemoth to pinch a penny--is first in line for one of these new grants. OK, so yes, the profit margins in the movie biz are generally thin, and it's a very risky business, but does that make it alright for state governments to hand out cash to for-profit entities?

PA's new cash grant program, effective 7/1/06 is called "Creativity in Focus: The Pennsylvania Film Production Grant Initiative" and provides up to 20% of a film or TV production's PA production expenditures. 60% of total production expenses must be incurred in Pennsylvania, and there is an overall annual cap of $10 million--so it's first-come, first-served.

I'm all for supporting the film industry, but just to keep this blog fair and balanced, let me leave you with some food for thought. An article in this month's fedgazette, a publication put out by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, thoughtfully questions the true public value of film tax incentives. The article provides a good overview of arguments made for and against these incentives, concluding with a rather cynical point:

...states face a classic prisoner's dilemma. Here, two crime suspects interviewed separately are offered reduced sentences if each rats the other out; if both stay mum, they'll go free. But because they are separated, neither trusts the other to keep quiet—so each rats on the other in order to secure a lesser sentence, and ultimately both are worse off.

Incentives work the same way....If all states eliminated incentives, they would all be better off; films would still get made, and they would go to the most optimal locations, while states could focus scarce tax dollars on traditional public goods rather than on film incentives. But they're unable to do so because they can't trust other states to do the same, and doing nothing is even worse, because states lose economic activity to others offering incentives....those involved in perpetuating the rising costs of the incentive game say they have to play or they'll surely lose.

With that, I say, forget all those other piddling states and come shoot in Hawaii! We have some of the best tax incentives for film in the U.S.! Tee hee. (If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, etc.)

>> With eye on Pittsburgh, Disney applies for $2M state grant [Pittsburg Business Times, 7/24/06]
>> Creativity in Focus: The Pennsylvania Film Production Grant Initiative [PA Film Office]
>> Roll the credits ... and the tax incentives [fedgazette, September 2006]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Film Incentives That Aren't Tax Credits
>> More Film Tax Incentive Success Stories
>> Tax Incentives Suck...Who Said That?
>> Everyone Else Is Doing It...
>> States Cannibalizing States
>> Finally! Forms for 15-20% Film Tax Credit!

3rd Annual GiRL FeST Hawaii, 9/8-17

GiRL FeST Hawaii's third incarnation will take place Sept. 8-17 at various venues in Honolulu. GiRL FeST is a multimedia festival that aims to prevent violence against women and girls through education and art. There will be art, spoken word, comedy, concerts, workshop, and of course, film. The film portion of the fest will run next Thurs, 9/14 to Sun, 9/17. Go to GiRL FeST Hawaii for a list of films and programs.

>> GiRL FeST Hawaii

RELATED POSTS:
>> Grrls Gone Riled
>> Asian American Film Festivals

FREE Korean Film Symposium on Friday, 9/8

This Friday, there will be a FREE public symposium on the Korean film industry given by the following people:

• Jonathan Kim - Chair, Korean Film Producer's Assocation; President, Hanmac Films (“Silmido”)
• Chul Shin - President, Shincine Production Company ("Gingko Bed," "My Sassy Girl")
• Wimal Dissanayake - Leading Asian film scholar and ACM lecturer
• Henry Kim - Director, Korean Film Council

It's *FREE*, so go:
DATE: Friday, 9/8
TIME: 4-5:30pm
PLACE: Center for Korean Studies, UH Manoa campus ($3 parking)
Part of the KOFIC Filmmakers Development Lab. Hosted by UH's Academy for Creative Media and co-sponsored by the Center and KBFD-TV. Call 956-7041 for more info.

Two Recent Hawaii Premieres

Tom Coffman's "The First Battle" screened at the Hawaii Theater last night. The Honolulu Advertiser did a great write-up of the film's subject: how the 140,000 Japanese Americans in Hawaii narrowly escaped internment during WWII--a fate that most of their West Coast counterparts (110,000 of them) suffered. Coffman believes that had the internment of Japanese American from Hawaii happened, Hawaii would be a very different place now: "You basically would have had an enormous sector of the population that had been victimized and excluded from participation in the war...And there would have been this horrible division resulting in our community and it would have endured for generations." "The First Battle" will screen on the neighbor islands in November, and on PBS in December.

On a much lighter note, the first few Season 2 episodes of Discovery Kids' "Flight 29 Down" premiered on Saturday at Waikiki's Sunset on the Beach event. The only cast member present was local girl Tani Lynn Fujimoto. The series is shot on Oahu's North Shore. The majority of its 60 crew members are local, and each episode costs under $400K to make.

>> Internment busters [Hnl Advertiser, 9/4/06]
>> Hawaii actress Tani Lynn gets tough in the second season of "Flight 29" [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 9/4/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Premiere of PBS Doc "The First Battle"
>> Listen and Learn
>> A Pictorial History of Hawaii
>> PBS Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
>> Documentary on Little Known Pearl Harbor Story
>> Upcoming Educational Films