Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 10, 1 October 1997 — HAWAIIANS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAWAIIANS

O II F I L M

By Joyson Hoipei F0R THREE years The Honolulu Underground Film Festival, or HUFF, has been inspiring, entertaining and shocking Hawai'i's burgeoning film community. With 80 films selected out of more than 300 entries from around the world this year, The Underground Film Festival is poised to become one of the premier film events of the Pacific. The Honolulu Underground Film Festival is the creation of Chad and Chris Kahunahana, from Waimānalo on O'ahu. Chad and Chris epitomize the hip, socially conscious and talented group of young entrepreneurs who are entering the business world and making strides in their industry. Generation Xers? Never. Successful entrepreneurs? Maybe. Artists? Definitely. The Kahunahana brothers are combining their talents to create HUFF. The idea for The Underground Film Festival eame about as a result of a filmmaker's angst. In 1992, Chris had just completed, "Last Drag," a 30-minute docudrama focusing on the drug problem in Chinatown. In trying to perfect his finished work, Chris missed the entry deadline for the larger Hawai'i International Film Festival, previously the state's only annual film festival. So Chris, his brother Chad and a friend, decided to create their own opportunity, thus spawning The Honolulu Underground Film Festival. In recent years, prominent film festivals such as Northern California's Sundance Film Festival and

the Cannes Film Festival in France, whieh traditionally have featured independent films, have begun to screen Hollywood features. The financial reasons for this move are obvious; Hollywood studios generate more films annually with more money and are willing to pour millions of dollars into various festivals so their films ean be featured. What this means for audiences and for independent filmmakers is fewer available venues. Moreover, since most independent filmmakers don't have the capital to compete with Hollywood productions for screening opportunities, underground film festivals are fast becoming the only way to go. The Honolulu Underground Film Festival levels the playing field, so to speak, by providing a venue for independent filmmakers who laek the distribution money of the larger studios. It also welcomes those filmmakers whose topics or techniques may not appeal to mass audiences or don't fit the theme of other festivals. In its inaugural year The Honolulu Underground Film Festival screened 50 films, 30 of them from the islands. With a meager starting budget, The Underground Film Festival was able to generate enough interest to stage a return the following year. Today, The Honolulu Underground Film Festival operates on a $25,000 budget, modest by film festival standards, but still an impressive amount considering the operation has no full-time fund-raising staff other than Chad and Chris. Unlike the Hawai'i International Film Festival, The Honolulu Underground Film Festival

receives no state funding, but relies instead on corporate sponsorship. With the state facing a fiscal crisis, organizations such as The Honolulu Underground Film Festival must compete for a shrinking share of scarce grant money. Chad and Chris have had to eompensate with savvy marketing campaigns designed to generate revenue for HUFF, and their most lucrative project is the festival program guide. Selling advertising space in the program guide allows Chad and Chris to award cash prizes to some filmmakers as well as turn a profit. The Honolulu Underground Film Festival builds off the momentum of the last two years. In addition to screenings, this year's underground film festival will feature multiple exhibits. Paintings, photo displays and dance performances will eomplement films and create a unique environment. Chad and Chris hope to enlighten and inspire the 5,000 expected to attend the Third Annual Honolulu Underground Film Festival, leaving the audiences with a greater appreciation for the arts. Though many years away from competing with the likes of Cannes or Sundance, The Underground Film Festival nevertheless fills a void by offering Hawai'i's filmmakers of tomorrow the opportunity to make an impact today. ■ For more information on the Nov. 15-22 Honolulu Underground Film Festival, eall 737-3343 for movie times and venues.

PHOĪO: JAYSON HARPER

(Left) Chad Kahunahana and (Right) Chris Kahunahana, give ola to the Underground rilm Cnr4iuol