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Maui film
festival aims
for quality

May 31 to June 3
at Wailea Resort

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

WAILEA, Maui, already host to one of the country's most prestigious writer's conferences, this spring will enter the world of film festivals.

The four-day Maui Film Festival -- May 31 to June 3 at Wailea Resort -- will feature a dozen Hawaii and several American premieres, and a unique under-the-stars "Celestial Cinema" theater on the Wailea Golf Club's driving range.

Filmmakers' Panels will have celebrity panelists, and the festival will present two awards: Silversword Lifetime Achievement and Spirit of Aloha Audience honors.

COMING ATTRACTION What: Maui Film Festival When: May 31 through June 3 Where: Wailea Resort, Maui Call: 1-(808)-242-7469 Web site: http://www.mauifilmfestival.com

So why does Maui need its own film festival when the Hawaii International Film Festival in November is statewide? Barry Rivers, Maui Film Festival director, says the Valley Isle event will present a different selection and fewer films to allow everyone to see each presentation. He hopes to draw at least 2,500 people.

"Our commitment is to show films which nurture and sustain the best in people," Rivers said. "They will be very much about characters moving toward the light of compassion."

The films and celebrity guests will be announced next month, said Rivers, who hinted he is pursuing a world-class filmmaker for the festival's first Silversword Lifetime Achievement Award for a body of work and contributions to the art of filmmaking.

Financing a film festival doesn't come cheap. Rivers estimates this first event will cost $350,000 to $500,000. Much of that cost will be offset by sponsors including several Maui resorts and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

The creation of a Maui film festival has been Rivers' dream for years. In 1997 he established a film series at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's 1,200-seat Castle Theater to show "an alternative to Hollywood action blockbusters."

Several films shown in the series had their United States or Hawaii premiere on Maui, including "Angela's Ashes," "Big Night," "The Cider House Rules," "Girl, Interrupted," "The Hurricane," "King of Masks" and "Run Lola Run."

Rivers promised films selected for the festival will be of high quality rather than the work of producers simply seeking distribution deals or publicity.

And showing fewer films than the HIFF's nearly 100 pictures will allow attendees to see all the films presented, Rivers said. Films will be added as the festival grows

"We'll build a film community one picture at a time," Rivers said.

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Guide to the
Maui Film Festival

Here is a schedule of events for the Maui Film Festival. Prices listed are for single-ticket admissions.

May 31

7:30 p.m.: "Celestial Cinema at Wailea" and Silversword Lifetime Achievement Award presentation. Honors a film artist for body of work and contributions to the art of filmmaking. Also features a film premiere; $50.

11 p.m.: Starry Starry Night Opening Night Gala at the SeaWatch Restaurant, Wailea. Stargazing, jazz and pupu reception follows the opening night premiere; $95.

June 1

Noon and 3 p.m.: Castle Theater SunScreenings. Two daylight premieres at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului; $35.

2 p.m.: Filmmakers' Panel: Producers, writers, directors and/or stars from some of the festival's films will appear at this lunch gathering at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center; $10.

7:30 p.m.: "Celestial Cinema at Wailea" film premiere; $35.

11 p.m.: Midnight VIP Cruise on Ma'alaea Bay with a dessert reception. Boat returns to harbor at 1 a.m.; $125.

June 2

Noon and 3 p.m.: Two premieres at Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater; $10.

2 p.m.: Filmmakers' Panel: Features producers, writers, directors and stars of a selection of the Festival's films at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center; $10

7:30 p.m.: Celestial Cinema at Wailea. Film premiere; $35.

11 p.m.: SandDance Theater. A Silent Film Classic will screen, with after party at Tsunami Night Club at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa; free to Passport purchasers only.

June 3

11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Two daylight premieres at Maui Arts & Cultural Center; $10.

5 p.m. Taste of Wailea: Wailea Resort's hotels and restaurants present an evening of food and wine in the private Function Area above the Wailea Gold & Emerald Clubhouse; $95.

7:30 p.m.: Celestial Cinema at Wailea, with the fest's final film premiere; $35.

11 p.m.: Maui MoonDance Closing Night, with Spirit of Aloha Audience Awards presentation to films that exemplify MFF's commitment to life-affirming storytelling. At the SeaWatch Restaurant at Wailea; $95.

Passport rates

Platinum: Admission to all premieres at the Celestial Cinema and Castle Theater, Filmmakers' Panels, Midnight VIP Cruise, opening and closing night galas, Silversword and Audience Award presentations, SandDance Theater, Taste of Wailea, and complimentary souvenirs, $495

Gold: Admission to all premieres at the Celestial Cinema and Castle Theater, Filmmakers' Panels, opening and closing night galas, Silversword and Audience Award Presentations, SandDance Theater, Taste of Wailea, and complimentary souvenirs, $395

Silver: Admission to all premieres at the Celestial Cinema and Castle Theater, Filmmakers' Panels, Silversword and Audience Award Presentations, SandDance Theater, Taste of Wailea, opening or closing night Galas, and complimentary souvenirs, $295

Bronze: Admission to all premieres at the Celestial Cinema and Castle Theater, Filmmakers' Panels, SandDance Theater and complimentary T-shirt, $195

Click for online
calendars and events.