ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
As Big Island Film Festival approaches its third festival May 15 – 18, 2008, exciting new changes will be taking place.

First of all, we’ll be moving into our three new venues at the Queens’ Marketplace of Waikoloa Beach Resort. These new locations will be adjacent to each other and will include free parking and other great values. Some of the social events will still be held at Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Marriott Beach Resort and Spa, but the movie venues will now be at the Queens’ Marketplace.

Second, we are opening a few slots for narrative movies with distribution in order to bring in recognizable filmmakers and actors, whose insights can be valuable for the independent narrative filmmakers. Thus, our focus continues to remain on independent narrative filmmakers and only those independent narrative films will be eligible for Golden Honu Awards.

Our 2007 attendance (a mixture of visitors and residents) increased by 41 % over 2006, and we were able to secure some wonderful sponsors who contributed to making 2007 Big Island Film Festival such a huge success. We were also selected by MovieMaker Magazine as one of “Twenty Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee."

So, the celebration of narrative filmmaking continues with international narrative features and shorts, Actor and Filmmaker Salutes, Filmmaker Panels, the Awards Brunch and Best of the Fest party (Concert and Audience Choice Feature and Short). Movies, special events, Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian music, wrapped into the Spirit of Aloha makes our talk story film festival something which we expect to grow into a premiere event on the beautiful Kohala Coast on the Island of Hawaii.

THREE MOVIE VENUES
The Honu Venue presents two-hour blocks of narrative features and/or shorts in the 250 seat Studio of the Queens’ Marketplace during the day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Ohana Venue will show two family features and at least two family shorts outdoors on Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 PM at the Cultural Gardens of Queens’ Marketplace.

Performance Garden Amphitheater of Queens' Marketplace

The Festival Venue will show two features and at least two shorts, which might be up to R ratings, outdoors on Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 PM at the 4,000 capacity Performance Garden Amphitheater of Queens’ Marketplace. This will also be the site of the Best of the Fest Concert and showing of Audience Choice Feature film and short. The Best of the Fest Concert starts Sunday at 5 PM, with the Audience Choice Films at 7:30 PM. A silent auction raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project will also be held at the Best of the Fest.

Active duty military with proper ID will be admitted to all films FREE of charge.

HOUSING

Hilton Waikoloa Village
Quite a place. Lots of pools, bars, beach, a monorail or boats to the room towers. Where the Awards Brunch will be held.
• The rates start from $189 + tax/room/night for garden view accommodations.
• The valid dates are May 11 - May 22, 2008.
• The code is BFF.
• Call 808.886.1234 and ask for reservations or call 1-800-HILTONS. Ask for the code/rate BFF when calling. Agents will not "volunteer" this rate.
• Reservations can also be made on-line at www.Hilton.com. Use group code BFF when making the reservation.

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
Recently remodeled, walking distance from film venues, where filmmaker panels will be located. Great beach.
• Call in number is 800.922.5533.
• Request the Big Island Film Festival rate code IZPS.
• Book directly on waikoloamarriott.com and enter promo code I24 (letter I).
• BIFF special rate ($149.00 + tax/room/night) is valid May 11 - May 22.

View the "2008 Festival At A Glance"

View the "2008 Festival Overview"