Hawaiʻi International Film Festival returns, kicking off with ‘The Wedding Banquet' remake
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawai'i International Film Festival is back, bringing a blend of international cinema and local talent to the islands for its 2025 Spring Showcase.
This year, the festival has teamed up with ʻŌpio Fest, spotlighting the next generation of storytellers from Hawai'i and beyond.
Local literacy nonprofit puts spotlight on National Bookmobile Day
The festival kicks off April 8 with a special Hawaii premiere of 'The Wedding Banquet,' a fresh, funny and heartfelt remake of the 1993 classic by Ang Lee.
Director Andrew Ahn, a Los Angeles-based Korean-American filmmaker known for his work on Netflix's 'Bridgerton,' will attend the premiere at Consolidated Theatres in Kahala and engage with the audience about his modern take on this beloved story.
Starring Bowen Yang, best known for 'Saturday Night Live,' Kelly Marie Tran of 'Star Wars' fame, and Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone, 'The Wedding Banquet' is a joyful exploration of family, culture and identity.In a twist, the film tells the story of Min, who proposes a green-card marriage to his friend Angela, hoping to avoid complications with his strict, traditional family. The plan quickly unravels when Min's grandmother shows up, throwing an extravagant Korean wedding banquet.
Ahn shared his vision for the film, emphasizing the importance of family.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
'I hope when people watch 'The Wedding Banquet,' they take away this feeling of how important family is. Whether you're queer or straight, as much as we fight with each other, we also fight for each other. We want to care for each other, and our love and intimacy are worth celebrating,' Ahn explained.
The film, which features a stellar cast and heartfelt themes, will open nationwide in theaters on April 18.
HIFF's 2025 ʻŌpio Fest will run throughout the week, featuring screenings, panels, and family-friendly events at Consolidated Theatres Kahala and across Oahu.
ʻŌpio Fest highlights emerging voices in film, showcasing student films, and offering a space for the next generation of filmmakers to share their stories.
For more information on showtimes, tickets, and the full festival lineup, visit HIFF.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Netflix, Martha Stewart, T.O.P And Lil Yachty Welcome You To The K-Era
Lil Yachty, Martha Stewart and T.O.P appear in Netflix's new K-content campaign. Let's face it—a collaboration between lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart and South Korean rapper and actor T.O.P was something no one saw coming, but that's precisely what happened when Netflix revealed its latest ad for Korean content. The two-minute video on Netflix's YouTube channel also features American rapper Lil Yachty, himself a longtime K-culture fan who famously paid tribute to the iconic K-pop boy band BIGBANG (of which T.O.P is a former member) in 2016 by freestyling to their songs. (And seeing as how T.O.P is clearly his favorite BIGBANG member based on that clip, it was probably only a matter of time before he and the real T.O.P found themselves in the same video.) In Netflix's promotional clip, Stewart is caught crying while watching the hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. When told that she doesn't speak Korean, Stewart responds, 'I don't, it speaks to me.' Stewart is later seen actively engaging with and taking cues from other blockbuster Korean shows like Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead and Physical: 100. She also chats with Lil Yachty about Single's Inferno while wearing a snail mucin sheet mask on her face—one of (many) items popularized by the ever-growing K-beauty trend. T.O.P (real name Choi Seung-hyun), who plays Thanos in Squid Game season 2, appears in Stewart's dressing room in the latter half of the video and flashes her the classic Korean 'finger heart' sign. At this point, the camera cuts to a barrage of additional K-culture references found throughout the room, from the song 'Like Jennie' by BLACKPINK member Jennie blasting from a speaker to a tray filled with Korean snacks and beverages to Stewart wearing an Extraordinary Attorney Woo T-shirt. 'I've seen this before… You're in deep on K-content. Don't worry, she'll be fine,' T.O.P remarks, at least according to the English subtitles. (A more literal translation of what he actually says would be something like: 'Oh, I see you're hooked on not only K-content but Korean culture as well. Don't worry, that happens to everyone.') He then makes his exit with the now-iconic 'Skrrt!'—which all three stars repeat at the very end while dressed in Squid Game tracksuits. Social media reactions to the unexpected collab have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with many users praising Netflix for the surprise video and gushing over T.O.P's appearance in the clip. Some of the user comments on the "Welcome to Your K-Era" video on Netflix's YouTube channel More user comments on Netflix's new K-content promotional video Commenter on YouTube references the 2016 BIGBANG tribute video in which Lil Yachty raps and talks to ... More cardboard cutouts of BIGBANG members. Screenshot of a post on X Netflix's slogan for its 'Welcome to Your K-Era' campaign is 'You Don't Have to Speak It to Love It' (for anyone who's interested, a more literal translation of the Korean phrase would be: 'Even if you don't know the language, you know the feeling!'), acknowledging the power of K-content to resonate with audiences across the globe despite the language barrier. That said, as an aside, it should be noted that the Korean language is also experiencing a worldwide boom these days. For instance, a recent study by the Modern Language Association found that out of the 15 most commonly taught foreign languages at U.S. colleges and universities, Korean was the only language to show remarkable growth between 2016 and 2021—a whopping 38.3% increase in enrollment over that five-year period. Biblical Hebrew and American Sign Language were the only other languages that showed increased enrollment—9.1% and 0.8% respectively—while all other foreign languages showed a marked decline in enrollment over that time period. To feed your K-content obsession—and perhaps help you improve your Korean listening comprehension skills—Netflix now has a 'Welcome to Your K-Era' panel on its interface, which serves as a one-stop shop to find all your favorite Korean films and shows on Netflix. (Tip for those new to Korean movies and shows: ALWAYS watch them subbed, NEVER dubbed!) Residents of Los Angeles, California might have also seen these Netflix billboards along Sunset Boulevard featuring Korean-only captions, often superimposed on ads for popular Netflix Korean shows: Billboard in LA with Netflix's new K-content slogan "You Don't Have to Speak It to Love It" written ... More in Korean (a more literal translation would be: "Even if you don't know the language, you know the feeling!") Netflix billboard in LA for 'Squid Game' that reads, "It's now time to end the game" in Korean Netflix billboard in LA for 'Single's Inferno' that reads, "Jun-seo over Tae-oh, you've crossed the ... More line" in Korean Netflix billboard in LA for 'The Glory' that reads, "You've messed with the wrong person" in Korean There's also a video billboard in New York City's Times Square that shows all of these ads along with a few more featuring other Korean shows. Below is a still frame for the K-zombie thriller All of Us Are Dead: Netflix digital billboard in Times Square for 'All of Us Are Dead.' The Korean words read, "Now our ... More school is in the middle of a survival class." Netflix's K-content promotional campaign comes on the heels of its global fan event Tudum, which featured many K-culture moments both during and in the lead-up to the live event held in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31st. That weekend, Tudum coincided with other events in Los Angeles that celebrated K-culture, including an epic sold-out concert by K-pop boy band Stray Kids (whose global fanbase is predominantly non-Korean), a concert by Korean singing legend Baek Ji-young, and 88rising's annual Head in the Clouds music festival, which saw many K-indie and K-pop artists take the stage at the Rose Bowl, including BIGBANG's leader G-Dragon (dubbed by many fans as the 'King of K-pop') and iconic K-pop girl group 2NE1. As I've mentioned before, it's a K-content world, and we're all just living in it. And Netflix is one of the players leading the Korean Wave, known as 'Hallyu" (한류) in Korean.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2025 Emmys Animated Series Predictions
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday. More from Variety 'There Is No Feud': Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood Tell All on Their 'White Lotus' Connection, a Cut Love Scene and Yes, Why He Unfollowed Her on Instagram 'The Boys' Mocks 'The Last of Us,' 'House of The Dragon' and 'The Bear' in 'Superclass' FYC Clip (EXCLUSIVE) Could AI Help the Emmys? Why the TV Community Is 'Curious, but Not Yet Committed' Outstanding Animated Program Commentary (Updated: June 5, 2025): After seven acclaimed seasons and more than 50 Emmy nominations, 'Big Mouth' could finally claim the trophy for Outstanding Animated Program with its eighth and final installment. Since its 2017 debut on Netflix, the irreverent adult comedy has pushed boundaries with its bold mix of raunchy humor and heartfelt exploration of puberty, identity and growing up. With Maya Rudolph already a four-time Emmy winner for her role as Connie the Hormone Monstress and a voice cast that includes 222 star-studded guests, the show has become a cultural force in animation. Nick Kroll has also been making the rounds, giving heartfelt interviews that have garnered headlines and increased awareness for the show. Netflix is also juggling the former winner, 'Arcane,' and the new series 'Devil May Cry,' which could also break through and dominate the category. The last time a network or studio picked up three nominations in this category in the same year was 2012 — Fox's 'American Dad!,' 'Bob's Burgers,' and 'The Simpsons' — which all lost to Nickelodeon's 'The Penguins of Madagascar.' Speaking of Fox, they'll have the record-breaking 'The Simpsons' in the mix, which holds the record for most nominations (33) and wins (12) in this category, that could come in and take it home once more. There's also a pathway for Paramount's 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' to also nab a spot, which has been close on a few times, but hasn't received recognition yet. The Emmys eligibility period ends on May 31. Nomination voting runs from June 12 to June 23, with official nominations set to be announced July 15. Awards Circuit: Emmys!function(){'use strict'; 0!== e= t in r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if( d= !function(){'use strict'; 0!== e= t in r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if( d= !function(){'use strict'; 0!== e= t in r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if( d= The Primetime Emmy Awards, commonly known as the Emmys, are awarded by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Established in 1949, these celebrate outstanding achievements in American primetime television. The Emmys are categorized into three divisions: the Primetime Emmy Awards for performance and production excellence; the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, recognizing achievements in artistry and craftsmanship; and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards, which honor significant engineering and technological advancements. The eligibility period typically extends from June 1 to May 31 each year. The Television Academy hosts the Emmys and has over 20,000 members across 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors, artisans and executives. Best of Variety 2025 Tony Winners Predictions: A Starry, Stacked Broadway Season Sets the Stage for an Unpredictable Ceremony What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Team Up to Buy Professional Sailing Club
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have bought a professional sailing club The longtime friends have teamed up to buy Australian-based BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team Reynolds' purchase comes amid an ongoing legal battle between his wife Blake Lively and Justin BaldoniRyan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have gone sailing! The longtime friends and actors have teamed up to buy BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, an Australian professional sailing club, according to a news release. 'We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure,' Reynolds, 48, said in a joint statement. 'Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia.' Founded in 2019 by Sir Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison, SailGP pits 12 national crews in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The club is led by driver and CEO Tom Slingsby, the Australian 2012 Olympic gold medalist, who shared his enthusiasm for adding Jackman and Reynolds to the crew. 'This is an incredible milestone for us and for our sport, having global icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds come on board as co-owners of our team,' he said. 'They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour that fits perfectly with our team. With BONDS joining as our Title Partner and the launch of the BONDS Flying Roos, we're building something distinctly Australian; a team driven by spirit, resilience, and national pride.' The BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team will make its official debut under the new ownership at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix from June 7-8. For Reynolds — who is also the part-owner of two soccer teams — the new endeavor comes amid an ongoing legal battle between his wife Blake Lively and her former co-star Justin Baldoni. In December 2024, Lively filed a sexual-harassment complaint against Baldoni and alleged that he engaged in misconduct during the filming of It Ends with Us. The actress also accused Baldoni and his associates of launching a retaliatory smear campaign meant to "destroy" her reputation, which he has denied. Baldoni countered Lively's initial claim in January with a $400 million lawsuit against her, Reynolds and their publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging extortion, defamation and more. Read the original article on People
