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SECOND ANNUAL “TALK STORY” BIG ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL STARTING NEW BUZZ Contact: Yvette Mackler,(808) 531-0244 Tuesday, March 13, 2007  print this release |
WAIKOLOA, HI – “Talk Story” is the inviting theme for this year’s 2nd Annual Big Island Film Festival at Waikoloa Beach Resort, with the buzz certain to come from the works produced by creative filmmakers – both from Hawaii and abroad.
The four days of festivities, featuring 62 independent films from the United States, Canada, Ireland, Austria and Japan and a host of special events, takes place May 17-20, 2007. Films will be screened at three venues – including two outdoor theaters – and participants will be able to engage the filmmakers and enjoy the festivities in the beautiful resort setting. The “Best of the Fest” final evening party will feature a performance by Grammy award nominee Makana and short and feature films.
"We're lining up a wonderful array of films and have special events scheduled that will make this festival a fantastic experience at Waikoloa,” said Leo W. Sears, founder and executive director of the film festival. “The energy and interest shown at last year’s festival convinced me that the Big Island needs its own film festival. Waikoloa has stepped up and all our sponsors have been fantastic. We encourage the public to come enjoy the talents of independent filmmakers from Hawaii and all over the world”
The full list of independent films being screened will be released soon. Admission starts at $5.00 and up, with package prices available for all four days. Active duty military personnel will be admitted to all films free of charge. For the latest information, please visit www.bigislandfilmfestival.com.
Debra Parmley, vice president of commercial real estate for Waikoloa Land Company, commented that for the range and quality of films being shown, “it’s a great way to spend a day or days enjoying the movies.”
Parmley added, “Last year’s film festival was a delight and this year promises to be even better. The vision and creative talents of these filmmakers is inspiring, especially the ones from Hawaii who need our support to continue creating these works of art.”
A highlight of the special events is a charity golf tournament that takes place the Saturday before the festival begins on May 12. Entry fees for the two-man, best-ball tournament are $140 through May 5 and $150 through May 9. An impressive selection of prizes is being offered. All proceeds go to support the Wounded Warrior Project, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting US Armed Forces personnel that have been severely injured in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations overseas. For more information, please visit www.bigislandfilmfestival.com.
At last year’s inaugural film festival, 70 independent narrative films were screened, including many shorts and features produced by local filmmakers in Hawaii. Sixty filmmakers took part in the festivities, with some coming from as far away as France.
The films were judged, with Golden Honu Awards presented in 11 categories.
Along with Waikoloa Beach Resort, other major supporters of the festival include the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Hilton Waikoloa Village.
About Waikoloa Beach Resort
Waikoloa Beach Resort is situated on 1,350 acres of the beautiful Kohala Coast and offers dining, shopping and entertainment, along with two championship golf courses – the Kings’ Course and the Beach Course – and two world-class hotels, the Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach Marriott.
The highly successful, 75,000-sq. ft. Kings’ Shops anchor Waikoloa’s standing as the premier shopping and dining experience on the Kohala Coast for residents and visitors. Shops and restaurants include Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. Macy’s, Coach,
Na Hoku, Cinnamon Girl, Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, and Merriman’s Market Café.
Currently under construction and due to open this fall is the 135,000-sq. ft. Queens’ MarketPlace and Waikoloa Cultural Gardens. The open-air Queens’ MarketPlace will feature a wide array of brand name retail shops and restaurants as well as a stage and public fountains amid lavish landscaping. New stores opening at the MarketPlace include Island Gourmet Markets, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Local Motion, Marble Slab Creamery, and Starbucks.
For more information about Waikoloa Beach Resort, please visit online at www.waikoloabeachresort.com or call (808) 886-8811.
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