Celestial Cinema 2016: Everything You Need to Know

Celestial Cinema. File image credit: Maui Film Festival.

The 17th annual Maui Film Festival will take place from June 15 to 19, 2016, at the Wailea Resort.

One of the most popular events held in coordination with the festival is the Celestial Cinema, which will be set up at the Wailea Gold & Emerald Golf Course, on the amphitheater-like slopes of the golf-course driving range.

Celestial Cinema Screenings

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

• 8 p.m.: Captain Fantastic: (Trailer) Fresh from standing ovations and Oscar® buzz at Sundance and Cannes, Viggo Mortensen leads a pitch perfect cast as a patriarch with a mind-of-his-own, home schooling his close knit family of six kids in the woods of the Pacific Northwest by teaching them how to live a life in touch with true love for each other, respect for the land that sustains them and the majestic natural beauty that they call home.
• 10 p.m.: Folk Hero & Funny Guy: (Trailer) Folk Hero & Funny Guy is a music-infused spin on the road-trip buddy comedy.  Recently dumped by his fiancée and with a stagnating standup routine, aspiring comedian-slash-copywriter Paul (Alex Karpovsky, Girls) is stuck. The manager of the club where he performs suggests he take some time off to update his comedy material.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

• 8 p.m.: Mad Dogs: (Trailer) During Tow-In Fever, three Brazilians challenged the world’s biggest waves and wrote a whole new chapter in surfing history. Danilo Cuoto, Marcio Freire and Yuri Soledade, who all migrated to Hawai’i in the 90’s in search of perfect waves took the big-wave surfers’ challenge a notch higher, resolving to paddle out to Jaws, while refusing to use support vehicles to assist with tow-ins or rescues.
• 8 p.m.: Saltwater Buddha (following ‘Mad Dogs’): Whether you live for ocean and love it beyond words or are too freaked out about sharks to ever get wet, Jaimal Yogis’ story — from jungle communes to zen monasteries to the vast Pacific and beyond — is the most deeply beautiful and wise cinematic immersion in the mysterious pull and healing powers of the ocean ever seen on the Big Screen.
• 10 p.m.: It Ain’t Pretty: (Trailer) A documentary about the challenges and triumphs of female big wave surfers fighting sexism in the water, in competition, in the media and in the surf industry with the support of a closely-knit community of like-minded women.
• 10 p.m.: One Way: A Journey to This Moment (Trailer) (following ‘It Ain’t Pretty’): Perhaps the most important film at this year’s Festival. You’ll thank yourself for diving into the deeply powerful message of how Michelle is living her life while finding solace in the healing powers of her love of family, the ocean and the moment.

Friday, June 17, 2016

• 8 p.m.: Rio I Love You: A visually stunning celebration of 10 unique and universal expressions of love through the eyes of visionary Academy Award nominated and winning and directors of 21 GRAMS, CITY OF GOD, THE GREAT BEAUTY, YOUTH and more, in this lovingly crafted look at contemporary stories set in Rio de Janeiro, to many the sexiest city on Planet Earth.
• 10 p.m.: Tanna: (Trailer) The eternal story of young lovers breaking all the rules and risking everything to be together is beautifully told in the first-ever feature shot entirely in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. Based on true dramatic events and brilliantly performed by non-professionals drawn from communities whose history is represented on screen, this tribal time machine of a movie will leave you speechless.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

• 8 p.m.: Alex & Eve: (Trailer) This timely love story set in Australia but as current as today’ s headlines in the USA, is a perfect post-Taste of Wailea slice of longing, lusting, laughter and loving layered cake. Star-crossed Greek and Muslim lovers challenge the old ways of their cultures to find true love. Hailed as “Australia’ s answer to Romeo and Juliet”, albeit without the tragic ending. Genuinely funny and fun.
• 10 p.m.: Nobody Walks in LA: (Trailer) Nobody Walks in LA is the story of two old friends who, faced with decisions that cannot wait, put their lives on pause for a day and do the unthinkable…walk around Los Angeles. Putting aside a failing engagement on the one hand and a cross country move on the other – Miles (Adam Shapiro) and Becca (Kim Shaw) rediscover not just the streets of Los Angeles… but one another.

Sunday, June 19, 2016 (*On Sunday, SHOREBREAK will replace HUNT FOR WILDERPEOPLE at 8pm.  HUNT FOR WILDERPEOPLE has been moved to Wed 6/15 at the Castle Theater.)

• 8 p.m.: The More Things Change: Gerry Lopez: (Trailer) When Gerry Lopez first surfed Uluwatu, the fabled wave was pristine, magical and empty. He returned 40 years later to find it bustling and developed. After a week of surfing and yoga, however, Gerry tapped into a spirit of place that continues to endure. It is obvious that a lot has changed since surfers first discovered Bali and Uluwatu in the seventies. Gerry’s message is that change is inevitable, and we should see it, accept it, live in the moment and positively guide that change.
• 8 p.m.: SHOREBREAK: The Clark Little Story (Trailer) (following Gerry Lopez): Documentary on professional photographer Clark Little – from botanical garden manager 9 years ago to becoming a world famous photographer for capturing the beauty of the Hawaii’s powerful shorebreak waves from inside impact zone. The film features heart pounding up-close action in the North Shore waves, insight into how the shots are captured, shark diving without cages, and of course, how the unexpected story of becoming a photographer unfolded. Various shorebreak surfers and bodyboarders make appearances. Includes stories told by Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater and Clark’s older brother, big wave surfer Brock Little. Filmed on the North Shore of Oahu. Directed by Peter King.
• 10 p.m.: Chapter One (plays with Shorebreak: The Clark Little Story): Pete Cabrinha and Robby Naish join entrepreneur extraordinaire and kite-boarder Richard Branson, alongside a who’s who of today’s champions, including Ruben Lenten, Jesse Richmond and Aaron Hadlow in this around-the-world adventure to explore — by whatever name you know it — the thrills, power and allure of Kiteboarding, Kitesurfing, Kiting or simply “Are You Kidding Me, This Is Insane…And I Love It!”. Courtesy of EYEFORCE in association with Red Bull Media.
• 10 p.m.: Voyage Into the Depths of Kanaloa (folowing ‘Chapter One’): One Sailing Vessel, 15 Teenagers, 1,200 Nautical Miles, 4 Ancient Islands and One Epic Adventure. Lead by Bonnie Kahape’ a-Tanner, 15 students train for months to prepare themselves for a 10 day open ocean sail to Papahanaumokuakea. A dream that began years before would soon be realized aboard the 96 foot schooner named Makani Olu.

Celestial Cinema parking

Parking for Celestial Cinema is at the Wailea Special Event Lot. From there, you take a complimentary shuttle service. The only parking available at the Gold and Emerald Course is for patrons with reservations to Gannon’s Restaurant and/or Maui Film Festival Wailea 2016 VIP Patron Passholders.

Celestial Cinema Shuttle

A free shuttle, courtesy of Akina Aloha Tours, will take festival attendees to and from the Celestial Cinema and Special Event venues. Celestial Cinema shuttles run continuously starting at 6:15 pm. Opening Night Reception shuttles begin at 5:15pm. Taste of Wailea shuttles begin at 4:15 pm. All shuttles will return to the Special Event Parking Lot at the end of each Special Event and Celestial Cinema Feature Film.

Return shuttles will drop off guests at Wailea resort properties and the Wailea Event Parking Lot upon request.

“For guests staying in Wailea Resorts, complimentary shuttle service from the hotel main entrance (side entrance at the Fairmont Kea Lani) is available to Celestial Cinema and all events except Filmmakers Panels, Filmmaker’s Brunch and Soirée at Spago.”

Resort Shuttles will run continuously from 6:15 p.m. until 10 p.m. to the Celestial Cinema from the front entrance of resorts. The Resort Shuttles will return to resorts at the conclusion of each Celestial Cinema feature film, and late night events until 12 a.m. or later depending on final nightly movie run time.

Will Call:

Celestial Cinema Will Call is at the ticketing counter in the lobby of Gannon’s Restaurant and the Gold & Emerald Golf Course Pro Shop. The shuttle buses will drop you off right in front of it.

Kids Special:

Parents are urged to research films for appropriateness for their children. Kids 12 & under are FREE for the 8 p.m. screening on Thursday (June 16); and the 8 p.m. screening on Sunday, June 19 at Celestial Cinema. Tickets for kids 12 and under are $10 for all other nights at Celestial Cinema and Castle Theater, although this is not meant to imply that the films are necessarily appropriate for children. Children’s tickets must be purchased by phone or at the door.

Seating:

Seating at Celestial Cinema is on the grass, and is arranged on a first come first served basis. To make things more comfortable, please feel free to bring your own low back beach chairs, blankets, and pillows or towels to sit on. You may also rent a low back beach chair for $5 per night. Rentals require a $15 deposit refunded upon return of chair.

Special arrangements available for persons with disabilities.

Special seating available for patrons dining at Gannon’s Restaurant before attending Celestial Cinema and/or Maui Film Festival Wailea 2016 VIP Patron Pass Holders.

What Not to Bring:

No. Outside food, beverages, or coolers are not allowed.

Food Vendors on Hand:

Yes. Nightly offerings will include salads, wraps, sandwiches, and delicious hot dinners, including vegetarian options.  Snack items ranging from popcorn to desserts will also be available.

Celestial Cinema is an alcohol-free venue. Soft drinks and bottled water will be available.

Maui Film Festival is proud to offer recycling bins in which to place your cans, cardboard, plastic and glass containers.  Scrip, purchased with cash, is the currency used at Celestial Cinema for food and beverages. There is an ATM on site.