2019 Maui Film Festival Complete Lineup

June 5, 2019, 7:07 AM HST
* Updated June 5, 8:17 AM

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Entering its much anticipated twentieth year of cinema-under-the-stars, the 2019 Maui Film Festival announced its full lineup of honorees, screenings and special events happening June 12-16, 2019 in Wailea.

Celestial Cinema. File image credit: Randy Jay Braun via Maui Film Festival.

Taking place at the Celestial Cinema, located at the Wailea Gold and Emerald Golf Course, the Castle Theater at the state-of-the-art Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului, and the Toes in the Sand Cinema, located on Wailea Beach behind the Four Seasons Maui, the festival will offer a full schedule of screenings and special events throughout the Wailea Resort. Award ceremonies throughout the festival will honor Awkwafina, Maya Erskine, Joe Manganiello, Gina Rodriguez, Paul Rudd, Louie Schwartzberg and Olivia Wilde.

In addition to star-studded ceremonies, the schedule is packed with screenings of life-affirming films, inspiring filmmakers, and fabulous events that will highlight the culture, food, and beauty of Maui. Individual tickets and passes for the festival are on sale now at www.mauifilmfestival.com.

“Two decades ago, a cocktail napkin was my waterproof Etch-a-Sketch. I was brainstorming to shake things up a bit when the words Maui Film Festival, Celestial Cinema and Toes-in-the-Sand Cinema seemingly wrote themselves on that napkin. In that moment, I realized the Universe had sent me a message and I decided to answer its call,” said Festival founder Barry Rivers. “Twenty years later, with the strong support of thousands of people, our staff is still making magic. We are driven to do it to keep hope alive and help create the future with great cinema and the kōkua (help) of our dozens of enlightened honorees and filmmakers.”

This year’s schedule includes awards, film screenings, and culinary and cultural events:

AWARDS PRESENTATIONS

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Paul Rudd Honored with the Nova Award at the Celestial Cinema

Wednesday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Paul Rudd will receive the Nova Award, which honors a film artist for their astonishingly original and seamless performances, and the way they consistently infuse each character they embody with insight, humanity and wisdom.

Louie Schwartzberg Honored with the Visionary Award at the Celestial Cinema

Wednesday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m.

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Louie Schwartzberg will receive the Visionary Award, which honors a film artist for their long-standing commitment to inspire and nurture the endlessly evolving tapestry of global cultures into an ever more compassionate and life-affirming planetary community.

Gina Rodriguez Honored with the Navigator Award at the Celestial Cinema

Thursday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Gina Rodriguez will receive the Navigator Award, which honors a film artist for carving a path of distinction through the turbulent waters of the entertainment industry without sacrificing their fundamental commitment to excellence.

Joe Manganiello Honored with the Shooting Star Award at the Celestial Cinema
Presented by Sofía Vergara

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Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Joe Manganiello will receive the Shooting Star Award, whichhonors an actor in a Maui Film Festival Premiere who delivers a breakthrough performance that lights up the screen.

Maya Erskine Honored with the Rising Star Award at the Celestial Cinema

Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Maya Erskine will receive the Rising Star Award, which honors a young film artist whose every role — even in their formative years — surprises, enthralls and delights audiences of every age.

Awkwafina Honored with the Shining Star Award at the Celestial Cinema

Saturday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Awkwafina will receive the Shining Star Award, which honors a film artist who dares to dream big dreams and delivers brilliantly charismatic and revelatory performances every time opportunity knocks.

Olivia Wilde Honored with the Lights! Camera! Passion! Award at the Celestial Cinema

Sunday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Olivia Wilde will receive the Lights! Camera! Passion! Award, which honors a director for their heartfelt personal and professional commitment to the triumph of the human spirit in movies that matter.

SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT

SPECIAL EVENTS

Taste of Summer Opening Night Party

WHEN: Wednesday, June 12, at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Wailea

The Official Launch Party of the 2019 and the 20th Annual Maui Film Festival at Wailea. Treat Yourself to an oceanside ‘Feastival’ with cosmically creative cocktails and a spectacular display of culinary artistry while you enjoy a pre-twilight sunset to remember long after the Wailea sun sets into the vast Pacific.

HOST SPONSOR: Grand Wailea
VISIONARY PARTNER: Create the Future
INDUSTRY SPONSOR: The Hollywood Reporter
OFFICIAL BEVERAGES: Grey Goose Vodka, Johnson Brothers and Maui Brewing Co.

Taste of Chocolate

WHEN: Thursday, June 13, at 10 p.m.
WHERE: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Maui Film Festival’s over-the-top event for lovers of chocolate! Dress up and experience the extraordinary flavors and sensual experience known as the Taste of Chocolate.

HOST SPONSOR: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
SIGNATURE SPONSOR: Hawaii Tourism
INDUSTRY SPONSOR: Variety
MEDIA PARTNER: Modern Luxury Hawaii
OFFICIAL BEVERAGES: Grey Goose Vodka, Johnson Brothers and Maui Brewing Co.

Taste of Wailea

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Wailea Golf Academy at Wailea Golf Club

The ‘TOW’ is both the granddaddy of all Festival parties and the ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Festival’s Culinary Arts Celebrations. In short, “The Best of The Best of Wailea’s Best Chefs.”

SIGNATURE SPONSOR: Alaska Airlines
HOST SPONSOR: Wailea Golf Club Gold & Emerald Courses
MEDIA PARTNER: WHERE | HAWAII
OFFICIAL BEVERAGES: Grey Goose Vodka, Maui Brewing Co. and Specialty Wines by Southern Wine & Spirits
SPECIAL THANKS: Taste of Wailea Chefs & Purveyors

CELESTIAL CINEMA SCREENINGS

Wednesday, June 12

8 p.m. – FANTASTIC FUNGI… The Magic Beneath Us preceded by True Hawaii
10 p.m. – Stuffed

Thursday, June 13

8 p.m. – Wild Rose preceded by #WELAGENTE
10 p.m. – The Peanut Butter Falcon

Friday, June 14

8 p.m. – Bottom of the 9th preceded by Is This Love?
10 p.m. – Plus One preceded by Certifiable

Saturday, June 15

8 p.m. – The Farewell preceded by Unsung Heroes
10 p.m. – Pavarotti

Sunday, June 16

8 p.m. – This Excellent Life preceded by Emotional Tourist, Paige & Three Hearts Home
10 p.m. – Echo in the Canyon

CASTLE THEATER AT THE MAUI ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER SCREENINGS

Friday, June 14

3 p.m. – One
5 p.m. – Gay Chorus Deep South
7:30 p.m. – Becoming Nobody preceded by Lady Hater

Saturday, June 15

12 p.m. – Moananuiakea
3 p.m. – Cracked Up preceded by Shin-rin Yoku Forest Bathing
5 p.m. – Well Groomed preceded by Stumped
7:30 p.m. – CRSHD preceded by Hook Up 2.0

Sunday, June 16

1 p.m. – Short Film Showcase featuring John Van Hamersveld, My Moon, One Day Home, Pastalight, Sophiaworld, Storm, Swipe, That’s My Jazz, Westfalia
3 p.m. – Alice preceded by Beauty
5 p.m. – Botero preceded by La Noria
7:30 p.m. – WeRise UP preceded by Reboot

TOES-IN-THE-SAND CINEMA, LOCATED BELOW THE FOUR SEASONS MAUI

Friday, June 14th (Free!)

8 p.m. – Like
8:30 p.m. – Beyond Climate

LIST OF ATTENDING TALENT

Beyond Climate – Ian Mauro (Director/Writer/Producer/Editor)
Bottom of the 9th – Joe Manganiello (Actor/Producer), Nick Manganiello (Producer), & Sofía Vergara (Actor)
FANTASTIC FUNGI… The Magic Beneath Us – Louie Schwartzberg (Director)
The Farewell – Awkwafina (Actor)
Like – Scilla Andreen (Director/Producer)
One – Amy Clark (Executive Producer), Dawn Duhaime (Producer) Lauren Dubac (Director/Writer/Producer), Michael Goedecke (Director/Writer/Producer/Editor)
The Peanut Butter Falcon – Tyler Nilson (Director/Writer), Michael Schwartz (Director/Writer)
Plus One – Jeffrey Chan (Director/Writer/Producer), David Devries (Producer), Maya Erskine (Actor), Anna Konkle (Actor) & Andrew Rymer (Director/Writer/Producer)
Rise Up – Kate Maloney (Executive Producer)
SophiaWorld – Geoff Clark (Director/Writer/Producer/)
Stuffed – Erin Derham (Director/Executive Producer)