Firstlight Film Festival shines!

by Maesyn

Maui is in the midst of a flurry of cinematic inspiration!

Firstlight Film Festival is Maui’s own hotpot of the newest, most inspiring expressions in film.

While the gap is closing between the mainstream and independent filmmakers, the bar is raising for media art forms with the rise of affordable, top notch equipment, and a surplus of gifted artists in the field. No longer does Hollywood dominate the scene.

With actors ranging from Halle Berry to George Clooney to Julianne Moore, each of these visual gems is star studded with inspiration, out of the box innovation, and creativity.

Why go to the mainstream movie theater when the best of the best of alternative modern theater is right in your backyard? Many of the selections are mainstream, but are too avante guard to be found anywhere on Maui. MACC’s Castle Theatre will be hosting Academy screenings of this year’s entries through January.

Some upcoming films that look fascinating include Darren Aronofsky’s new film, “Black Swan,” starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, and Mila Kunis. It follows the story of a ballerina competing in New York City’s ambition-laced dance world, who is forced to delve deeply into her dark side for the role of a lifetime. It screens at 8 pm on Sunday, December 19th.

For another inspired look at the world of dance, from a completely different angle, look to “Mau’s Last Dancer,” the true story of a brilliant dancer who came to the United States from communist China and became a star. He paid the price for his freedom by being forbidden to return to see his suffering family. “Mau’s Last Dancer” screens at 4 pm on Sunday December 26th.

You can buy a VIP FastPass for $40, which gives you admission to any four films of your choice. If you are a major film industry guild member, you and a guest will receive complimentary admission.

Individual tickets are $12 per movie, but children under 12 get in for free to G and PG rated films.

December Screenings will be taking place on December 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, & 30th.

January screening will take place on January 2nd 2011.

Look for movie trailers and a full listing of all the films at their website.