Maui Film Festival

Director-musician-actor Robert Schwartzman will be honored with the Lights! Camera! Passion! Award during the Maui Film Festival, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary Aug. 29-Sept. 2 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

Brian Kohne, an award-winning music producer and filmmaker who grew up on Maui, has been named as the new County of Maui Film Commissioner, according to an announcement by the county’s Office of Economic Development today. His official start date is April 1, 2024.

Haʻikū filmmaker Ryan Luskin’s film “The Sailing Movie” is scheduled for public release this fall. “The Sailing Movie” is the tale of Luskin’s son Saelyn and his right of passage, as he sails with his parents through 16 countries in search of “six essential life skills to thrive on a quickly changing planet.” While the bulk of the project was shot in 2013 in the Caribbean, crucial segments were filmed more recently on Maui.

Maui Now has learned and FX confirmed that the co-creators of the popular new series “Shōgun”—Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks—are residents of Maui. Kondo was born and raised on the Valley Isle. As a child, she attended Pukalani Elementary and Kalama Intermediate, and she is ’99 graduate of Maui High School.

In a launch celebration scheduled March 16 at Maui Brewing Company, guests will learn more about this one-of-a-kind swim, which is an official project of the United Nations Ocean Decade.

Whale Trust announces a documentary screening of National Geographic’s Incredible Animal Journeys on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. The screening of the episode titled “Ocean Odysseys,” is part of the 18th annual Whale Tales event, taking place Feb. 16-18, 2024.

Hawai‘i-made narrative feature film ‘Chaperone’ premiered in Park City Utah as part of the 30th Annual Slamdance Film Festival last week and took home the festival’s prestigious Grand Jury Award for Breakouts.

After 10 years at the helm, County of Maui Film Commissioner Tracy Bennett has retired from his government post to enter the private sector. 

For entertainment this week on Maui, there are performances by the Great American Jazz Piano Competition finalist Jeff Hellmer & Friends, three-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano winner Kevin Brown and Maui Prep actors in Beauty and the Beast, as well as a Winter Craft Fair and the 50th Maui County Senior Fair.

For entertainment this week on Maui, there are the Aloha Festivals in Hāna and Wailea; fundraising concerts for Maui wildfire victims, Halloween costume contests around the island, and a performance in Kula by The Voice’s contestant Jason Arcilla. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Aloha Festivals five-days of culture and fun starts Saturday with a parade; Oktoberfest and Kōkua for Lahaina raise funds for Maui wildfire victims; and Haunted Hawaiian Ghost Stories and the musical Rocky Horror Show pave the way for Halloween. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The ‘ukulele-powered band Kanekoa, the Vince Esquire Band and Grammy-nominated Natalie Ai Kamauu perform at benefits for Maui wildfire victims this weekend. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Internationally touring comedian Iliza Shlesinger, Hawaiian Island singer Anuhea and the annual Jimi Hendrix Rainbow Bridge celebration are among the Top 20 things to do on Maui this week. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The 2023 Maui Film Festival’s Rising Star Award went to Annie Gonzalez in Eva Longoria’s feature film directorial debut Flamin’ Hot.

The final night of the Maui Film Festival’s Stardust Cinema features three films: “Sweet Adventure” at 5:30 p.m., “Savage Waters” at 6:45 p.m, and “Tiki Taane in Session with CSO” at 8:45 p.m.

Day three of the Maui Film Festival’s Stardust Cinema features two films: “Immediate Family” at 5:30 p.m., and “Jules” at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023.

Fourth of July fireworks and music, the Maui Film Festival, the Makawao Stampede rodeo and a number of Hawaiian concerts, including one by rising talent Wehilei, are among the top events happening on Maui. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The Maui Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday with a one-of-a-kind Stardust Cinema which includes 11 feature film premieres taking place June 28  to July 2 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

The film is entertaining, a how-to primer for regenerative agriculture and a powerful call to action to fix our food system. Common Ground features appearances and narration by Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Rosario Dawson, Ian Somerhalder and Woody Harrelson. It is the highly anticipated follow up film to Kiss the Ground.

The festival honors: Annie Gonzalez, starring as ‘Judy Montañez’ in Flamin’ Hot, with the Rising Star Award; and Yara Shahidi, starring as ‘Tinker Bell’ in Disney’s live action film Peter Pan & Wendy, will receive the Shining Star Award.