Hawaii International Film Festival

What Hawaii International Film Festival does

Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1981 that operates the longest-running international film festival in the Asia-Pacific region. Its flagship product is the annual Fall Festival (HIFF46 scheduled for October 22 - November 1, 2026 at Kahala, with kickoff October 21), which programs feature films, documentaries, and shorts across themed sections including Panorama, country Spotlights (Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Philippines), Pacific Showcase, Indigenous Lens, and specialty streams such as Eat. Drink. Film. and Wellness Cinema.

HIFF complements its annual festival with year-round programming: HIFILM Industry Hub (Conference, Producers Lab, Storytellers Lab) for filmmaker development; HIFF Selects, a recurring monthly member screening series; HIFF Education programs including 'Ōpio Fest (student film festival), Next Gen Fellows, K-12 youth screenings, and the Guest Filmmaker Program; the HOCCI (HIFF Online Creatives & Critics Immersive) critics mentorship program; and Summer Flix, an outdoor screening series at Prince Waikiki. Distribution spans Consolidated Theatres venues on O'ahu (Kahala, Ward), Kaua'i Community College, and the virtual HIFF@HOME channel.

The organization employs 11-50 full-time year-round staff supplemented by seasonal contractors and volunteers. Revenue is diversified across ticket sales and festival passes (Platinum $1,000, All-Access $500, Matinee $200, Weekend, EDU, KCCPAC, 6-Pack $90, 12-Pack $160), the HIFF Selects recurring membership program, corporate sponsorships led by presenting sponsor Halekulani (alongside Hawaiian Airlines, BMW Hawaii, Civil Beat, Star Advertiser, Hawai'i Pacific Health, Hawaii National Bank, and government-tied sponsors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan), and tax-deductible donations and grants. HIFF has no parent company, no institutional investors, and operates under a Board of Directors governance model.

Name

Hawaii International Film Festival

Legal name

Hawai'i International Film Festival

Website

https://hiff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 1981, operating the premier Asia-Pacific international film festival with year-round programming spanning cinema exhibition, filmmaker industry labs, youth education, and member screenings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival & Cultural Cinema Exhibition

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH)

Keywords

• International film festival
• Asia-Pacific cinema
• Film exhibition services
• Filmmaker education programs
• Cultural film programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual film tickets, festival passes (All-Access, Platinum, Matinee, Weekend), and ticket packs (6-Pack, 12-Pack) for screenings and events.
2. Membership Program: HIFF Selects membership providing monthly exclusive screenings, member discounts on tickets and passes, and early access to programming.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with corporate sponsors including Halekulani (presenting sponsor), Hawaiian Airlines, BMW Hawaii, Civil Beat, and others for program support and branding.
4. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals and foundations supporting the non-profit's educational and cultural programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that operates an annual international film festival each fall in Honolulu, complemented by year-round cinema exhibition, industry, and education programming. Its core offerings include the flagship October festival showcasing Asia-Pacific and international cinema, monthly HIFF Selects member screenings, the HIFILM Industry Hub (Producers Lab, Storytellers Lab, Conference), and youth education programs such as ʻŌpio Fest and Next Gen Fellows.

Product overview

HIFF operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization running cinema exhibition, educational, and filmmaking industry programming. The core offering is the annual Hawai'i International Film Festival held each October, complemented by year-round programming including the HIFILM Industry Hub with its Producers Lab and Storytellers Lab for filmmaker development. Education initiatives span K-12 screenings, the 'Ōpio Fest student festival, and Next Gen Fellows. HIFF Selects provides exclusive monthly member screenings, while Summer Flix offers outdoor summer programming. The organization also runs HOCCI, a film criticism mentorship program. The festival showcases feature films, documentaries, shorts, and series across themed sections including Panorama, Spotlight on Japan/Korea/Hong Kong/Taiwan/Philippines/China, Pacific Showcase, Indigenous Lens, and specialty programming like Eat. Drink. Film. and Wellness Cinema.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HIFF Selects: Monthly exclusive film screenings for HIFF Selects Members, featuring special screenings each month.
• HIFILM
• HOCCI
• 'Ōpio Fest
• Next Gen Fellows

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• HalekulaniflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the annual Hawai'i International Film Festival. Provides major financial support and branding as the festival's premier presenting partner. The festival is branded as 'Hawai'i International Film Festival presented by Halekulani.'
• Hawaiian AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial airline sponsor supporting festival operations and potentially filmmaker travel.
• BMW HawaiicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive sponsor supporting festival programs and transportation.
• Civil BeatcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing coverage and support for documentary and journalism-focused programming.
• Star AdvertisercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Hawaiian media outlet sponsoring festival coverage and promotions.
• Film HawaiicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState film office partnership supporting Made In Hawaii showcase programming.
• Vilcek FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors New American Perspectives program supporting immigrant and diaspora filmmakers.
• Critical MindedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant-making initiative supporting HIFF's HOCCI (Online Creatives & Critics Immersive) program for film criticism mentorship.
• Consolidated TheatrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater venue partnership for screenings at Consolidated Kahala and Ward locations.
• Hawai'i Pacific HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Hawai'i Pacific Health Showcase featuring health-related documentary programming.
• Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office San Francisco (HKETO-SF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment sponsorship of Spotlight on Hong Kong programming section.
• Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) / Hong KongcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsorship of Spotlight on Hong Kong section.
• Taiwan Ministry of Culture / Taiwan AcademycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment sponsorship of Spotlight on Taiwan programming.
• Kawai KonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnime convention sponsorship for Spotlight on Japan programming.
• Hawai'i United Okinawan Association (HUOA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization co-sponsoring Spotlight on Okinawa programming.
• Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Pacific Showcase programming with funding and expertise.
• Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy (KVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural organization that created INDIGENOUS NA'AU documentary screened at HIFF45.
• 88tees.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal apparel company sponsoring Spotlight on Korea programming.
• KBFD (Korean Broadcasting FM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKorean media outlet sponsoring Spotlight on Korea programming.
• HalekulaniflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner'Ōpio Fest presented by Halekulani - youth education program sponsorship.
• Fields Psychiatric ConsultantscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors student film competition and Wellness Cinema programming.
• Hawaii National BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial institution sponsoring HIFF Extreme and action cinema programming.
• Nia TerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Indigenous Lens programming and Indigenous filmmakers.
• Hawai'i Film AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIFF works with the Hawai'i Film Alliance on legislative advocacy for the state's film tax incentive program, coordinated through shared industry initiatives.
• daShopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal bookstore hosting Jeff Chang book signing and conversation event as part of festival programming.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• SXSW Film & TV: Multi-disciplinary festival combining film with music, tech, and gaming — shares HIFF's industry conference programming and emerging-talent discovery focus.
• Sundance Film Festival: Premier U.S. independent film festival with year-round Institute programming, educational initiatives, and a curated annual event — directly comparable to HIFF's festival-plus-education structure.
• Telluride Film Festival: Curated annual festival showcasing auteur-driven international cinema with strong industry attendance; closely comparable to HIFF's programming ethos and filmmaker-focused mission.
• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): One of the world's largest and most influential film festivals, hosting an annual multi-week program of international cinema with industry conferences, similar in mission and operating model to HIFF but at significantly larger scale.
• Busan International Film Festival (BIFF): Asia's largest film festival and the dominant platform for Asian cinema, overlapping with HIFF's Asia-Pacific programming focus and serving similar filmmaker and audience segments.
• New York Film Festival (Film at Lincoln Center): Curated annual festival presenting international cinema with significant industry and press presence; comparable to HIFF as a curated international film showcase with high-profile programming.
• Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival: Long-running LA-based festival showcasing Asian Pacific American cinema with year-round education programs — direct competitor for HIFF's target demographic in the Asia-Pacific-to-North-America pipeline.
• San Diego Asian Film Festival: Annual festival dedicated to Asian and Asian American cinema in Southern California, overlapping HIFF's mission to elevate Asian and Pacific Islander filmmakers and audiences.
• CAAMFest (Center for Asian American Media Festival): Largest North American showcase for Asian American and Asian cinema, with year-round programming — direct competitor for the same audience and filmmaker pool that HIFF serves in the Pacific.
• Tribeca Festival: Annual New York-based festival with strong industry programming and educational components; comparable in mission to surface diverse storytelling and emerging filmmakers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hiff
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfpW6q3ACTneZnrc_52xnXw
• Facebookfacebook.com/HIFFHAWAII
• Instagraminstagram.com/hiffhawaii
• TikToktiktok.com/@hiffhawaii
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawaii-international-film-festival

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawaii International Film Festival