Hosted by Leo and Jan Sears, longtime island residents, the Big Island International Film Festival will present an educational component to this, the 11th annual event. It is their way of spreading their special Aloha along with the world class hospitality presented by the Fairmont Orchid Resort. Leo Sears said, “By sharing film we can also share the magnificent Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian arts.”
Big Island International Film Festival Workshops
Big Island International Film Festival is hosting two special industry workshops on Friday May 27, 2016. These added-value events are free and have appeal to all emerging filmmakers, entertainers, students and cinema lovers alike. The seminars take place at the Fairmont Orchid Hawai’i, and there will be daytime film screenings, indoors at the Lehua Theatre and evening movies under the stars at Plantation Estate.
First off, at 9:45 a.m., will be Jen Grisanti presenting, “Telling and Selling Your Story.” She will illustrate techniques to elevate your screenplay and increase your opportunities for marketability. A longtime television programmer, Grisanti will show how to bring emotion into your script.
Raymond Rolak, veteran sports producer and content provider, will be speaking on, “The Harmony of Music and Cinema” at 4:30 p.m. Rolak will also highlight new trends in product placement, trans-media and entertain with long lost anecdotes from “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum P. I.”
Receptions With Featured Guests
There are also receptions with featured guests from Hollywood, Bellamy Young and Michael Gross. The BIIFF will have 58 films with seven from the State of Hawai’i and three produced on the Big Island.
There are also free movies at The Shops at Mauna Lani. A host of events can be accessed thru the BIIFF website.
The BIIFF concludes with a “Best of the Fest” concert featuring HAPA on Memorial Day, Monday, 5-7 p.m. at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Plantation Estate, near the Tennis Park. It will be followed by the Best Short Film and Best Feature, chosen by audience votes. There’s also a silent auction to benefit Fisher House at Tripler Army Medical Center – and a portion of each ticket sale goes to Hawaii Island Food Basket.
