Brett Wagner's "Chief" Makes Sundance Cut

Chief Sielu Avea plays Chief Semu Fatutoa (Photo: Christina Simpkins)

Honolulu-based director Brett Wagner's short film, "Chief," will premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The film tells the story of Semu Fatutoa, who drives a taxi in Honolulu and slowly forgets his old life as a tribal chief in Samoa. Little does he know, his old life is looking for him.

"Chief" was shot on Super 16 (a rarity for an indie film in Hawaii) and is one of 22 dramatic U.S. shorts selected to screen at Sundance. I believe it's the first locally produced film to screen in competition there in over a decade (since "Picture Bride," 1995), and also the first locally produced short film to ever screen in competition at the prestigious fest. (If someone knows different, lemme know.)

Congrats Brett, Dana, Paul, Grace, et al!

Brett Wagner

>> Sundance Film Festival Announces 2008 Short Film Program [Press Release, 12/5/07]

RELATED POSTS:
>> In Production: Super 16 Short "Chief"
>> Hawaii Films at HIFF
>> 'Ohina Short Film Showcase: Aug 4-5