About Us
Welcome to the Big Island Film Festival
The 8th Annual Big Island Film Festival brings Filmmakers and Film Lovers together every May at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i and The Shops at Mauna Lani – on the beautiful Kohala coast of Hawai’i, the Big Island.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Photo by Catherine Tarleton A Memorial Weekend Tradition! Big Island Film Festival dates surround Memorial Day Weekend: Thursday, May 23 through Monday, May 27, 2013.
Our celebration of narrative filmmaking includes features and shorts from Hawaii and around the world, a Filmmaker Workshop, celebrity Receptions & Salutes, the Awards Brunch and more. Closing night “Best of the Fest” is an opportunity to show the Audience Choice Feature and Short films one more time, to celebrate the music of Hawaii, and help “give back” with a charity fundraiser as well.
Only new narrative films are eligible for Golden Honu Awards. We have opened a few time slots for movies with distribution in order to bring in established filmmakers and actors, whose insights can be valuable for the independent filmmakers and everyone in attendance.
We are thrilled and proud to be selected for MovieMaker Magazine’s acclaim, from 2007 to 2011, including “20 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee," “25 Coolest Film Festivals” and “Cool Fests 2011: Counting Down 20 Can't-Miss Festivals.”
Movies, special events, Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian music, wrapped in the Spirit of Aloha makes our Talk Story film festival something which we’re pleased to watch grow into a premiere event on our beautiful Hawai’i Island.
THREE MOVIE VENUES
With three different film venues, our “Talk Story” film festival is a celebration for narrative filmmakers and their short and feature films, for all ages. Parking is free for BIFF attendees, and the tropical settings are unmatched.
Grand Opening Thursday, May 23 happens at the Family Films venue, aka The Shops at Mauna Lani center stage. We’ll kick off the festival with special guest introductions and short films beginning at 7:30 p.m. Beach chairs are welcome. This FREE event welcomes our guests to Hawai’i Island. Join Us!
Daytime Films are shown indoors at the newly renovated and air-conditioned theatre at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i. Daytime Films are presented Friday through Sunday, in two-hour blocks of narrative features and/or shorts. Self-parking tickets will be validated to allow free parking.
Family Films (up to “PG”) and Festival Films (up to “R”) are both set in outdoor locations to take advantage of Hawaii’s beautiful starry skies. The Family Films venue is located center stage at The Shops at Mauna Lani. Friday through Sunday, one family feature and short film are presented FREE, starting at 7:30 p.m., through the courtesy of The Shops at Mauna Lani. Beach chairs are welcome. Some chairs available.
Festival Films are presented at Plantation Estates (next to the tennis pavilion) at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i. We show nightly double features and shorts, no-host bar, gourmet pupus and other refreshments, Friday through Sunday starting at 7:30 p.m. Daily Social events and “The Best of the Fest” on Monday afternoon and evening are also located at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i.
Please note: Plantation Estates is lawn seating, so bring your beach chairs or blankets. Some chairs available for visitors without beach chairs. You may bring your own snacks, but no outside liquor or ice chests, please.
“Best of the Fest” takes place at Plantation Estates, on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013. We’re excited to present Hawaiian music by HAPA in the late afternoon followed by the Audience Choice feature and short at 7:30 p.m.
A silent auction to benefit Fisher House at Tripler Army Medical Center will be held on site. (Items may be donated to the silent auction by calling the Big Island Film Festival office at 808 883-0394 prior to May 20, 2013). A donation from each Best of the Fest ticket sold will also be contributed to Hawai’i Island Food Basket.
Active duty military personnel with ID
will be admitted to all films FREE of charge.SPECIAL EVENTS
Photo by Kathleen Honey Special opportunities to meet and greet our visiting filmmakers will take place before and after the showing of their films and at special events. Q & A as time permits.
Reservations are required for the following events: Meet the Stars, two VIP Celebrity Receptions, & Awards Brunch. Tickets are required for these events and can be purchased online or from the Concierge Desk at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i. Concierge desk transactions must be made by credit card.
Schedule for award recognition: Celebrity Receptions will be held on Saturday & Sunday evenings at 4:30 p.m. See Special Events page for for details.
Daytime Films: $8 per 2 hour block; $6 Kama’aina
Family Films: Free - 2 hours
Festival Films: $16 per 4 hours double feature & shorts; $11 Kama’aina
Additional $10 upgrade to Ali’i Seating (lounge chairs) – if space available.
Movie tickets are always available for purchase at the door. Note: Best of the Fest is $5 more at the door. Please Pre-purchase tickets online to avoid ticket lines. Only social event tickets & Best of the Fest tickets are available at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i Concierge desk in the lobby. Kama’aina prices are available for Daytime films, evening Festival Films & Best of the Fest. TicketDerby Phone orders may be emailed to you or will be on a pre-paid list at the door.
Pre-registration only: Saturday, Filmmaker Workshops: Two workshops will be presented by screenwriter Ron Osborn. Details will be posted on this website workshop page. $50 each.
Online ticket sales and phone orders will be available starting April 1, 2013 to PRINT TICKETS AT HOME. There is a $1 convenience fee per ticket.
Tired of sorting tickets? PASSES AVAILABLE
Ali’i Pass:-$400. Includes all films with upgraded Festival Films seating and special events PLUS pre-festival Mayor’s Welcome Reception for filmmakers, sponsors, & media. Filmmaker Workshops are excluded.
NEW Reception Pass: $200. Includes all 4 receptions. Amazing food & beverages while visiting with filmmakers and celebrity guests. (Thurs – Sun)Two Award receptions include an additional hour of Q&A with presentation of awards to VIP Honorees.
Talk Story Film Pass: $100. Includes all movies day & night and Best of the Fest Concert & Audience Choice films. ($155 value)
WeekendTalk Story Film Pass: $75. Includes all movies Saturday mid-day through Monday’s Best of the Fest Concert & Audience Choice films. ($107 value)
Saturday or Sunday Movie Pass: $30. Includes all movies on Saturday or Sunday. ($40 value.)
Call BIFF office for information on passes. To arrange for Special ADA accommodations please call by May 18th. Contact Jan at 808 883-0394.
TRAVELING TO BIFF? See some special discounts below:
SPECIAL HOUSING RATES
Accommodations at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai'i will be available to BIFF Patrons as a BIFF Package: $249 per night including breakfast for two, parking, and two tickets to the evening films - a really great deal. Contact reservations at the hotel directly and ask for the Big island Film Festival package rate; Kama'aina rate is also available on room only. Rates are in effect (space available) for 3 days prior to and following the film festival dates May 23-27, 2013. Film tickets only in effect May 24 through May 26, 2013.
Direct reservation number is: Fairmont Orchid: 800-845-9905
AIRFARE DISCOUNTS
We continue to explore all possible discounts to assist our filmmakers and patrons with travel planning. Alaska Airlines has joined our ohana of support with a 5% discount fare:
To use your Discount Code go online to http://www.alaskaair.com/alaskaair.com and input the Discount Code when searching for flights. The discount will be applied to any flights meeting the contract parameters. By clicking the ??? next to the discount code box after entering the code you may view a detailed description of the rules. San Francisco Bay Area & Seattle, WA have direct flights into Kona (KOA).
CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS
Dollar Rent A Car is offering a special rate to Big Island Film Festival patrons. Dollar Rent A Car special corporate discount code (BR1796) for use by all participants who need to rent a car on the Big Island. This cd# will extend a 5% discount off our lowest discountable rates (all available car types) on www.dollar.com In addition, use of this code will waive the additional driver fee (retail $12.00/day + tax/fees) and also waive the young driver (21-24 years old) fee (retail $27.00/day + tax/fees).
To use this code: go to www.dollar.com, select the location and dates (this code can actually be used to rent a car at any Dollar Hawaii location, except Lanai), then populate the "Corporate" field with BR1796 and press "Get Rates" Reserve as early as possible for maximum savings.
See you at the Movies!
NOTICE This event is being
photographed and/or video taped for non-commercial promotional
purposes |
Silent Auction
to benefit
theTripler Fisher House -
Monday, May 27, 2013
BIFF At A Glance
BIFF Program
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Big Island Film Festival
For more information contact us at Phone: 808-883-0394 Fax: 808-883-0254
Email Us at bigislandff@aol.com