‘OHINA debuted in 1999 to support independent filmmakers and to give them an opportunity to exhibit their films to the community through a short film showcase, named with the Hawaiian term for "gathering" or "collecting." Through the years, ‘OHINA has grown into a media pipeline responsible for helping emerging filmmakers and storytellers bring their cinematic visions to the screen through the ‘OHINA LABS mentorship program and ‘OHINA FILMS.  For more information, visit ‘Ohina.org.

 

In 2017, ‘OHINA launched its inaugural Filmmakers Lab with guest mentor Joe Robert Cole (co-screenwriter, Black Panther), offering a development hub for short film projects starting at the story level. Projects emerging from ‘OHINA LABS over the years since have gone on to secure distribution deals and make waves around the international festival circuit. Recent acclaimed LABS-developed films include Kukini, a story by Paula Fuga and written/directed by Mitchel Merrick, and animated short The Queen’s Flowers, written/directed by Ciara Leina‘ala Lacy.  

 

The ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab is a two-day filmmaker educational intensive that provides Hollywood screenwriters, producers, and directors mentorship and advice in a variety of key filmmaking fields, including script development, honing pitches, production support, project guidance and more. ‘Ohina Films is responsible for bringing to fruition the ‘Ohina Greenlight Award-winning film and moving it through the short film festival circuit.

 

Presented in partnership with Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) and hosted at Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design a center of the Doris Duke Foundation, ‘OHINA LABS 2024 welcomed ten Fellows to the free mentorship intensive following a competitive review process of their script submissions. Out of the cohort, Anette Arinix Aga has been named winner of the ‘OHINA Greenlight Award for “Kamaʻaina Not Kanaka”—granting her production support valued at $20,000 provided by award sponsors Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) and NMG Network towards the script becoming a completed short film.

 

Throughout the intensive, Fellows were partnered with guest mentors Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (screenwriter, live-action Lilo & Stitch), Zoë Eisenberg (writer/director Chaperone, Slamdance 2024 Breakouts Feature Grand Jury Prize), and Ty Sanga (first Native Hawaiian filmmaker to premiere a short at Sundance Film Festival as writer/director of Stones). Guest judges joined a Pitch Day session during LABS to offer the Fellows further feedback and weigh in on this year’s awards, including Stephen Broussard (VP Production & Development at Marvel Studios), Henry Ian Cusick (actor/director; Primetime Emmy nominee for role on “Lost”), Aaron and Jordan Kandell (screenwriters on Disney's Moana), and Adam Wong (producer Chaperone). The program was led by filmmakers Gerard Elmore, Executive Director ‘OHINA, and Lisette Flanary, ‘OHINA Director of Education. 

 

From Executive Director of ‘OHINA & filmmaker Gerard Elmore:  “What started out as the little LABS that could has evolved in dynamic ways, opening up even more doors for our filmmakers and stories connected to Hawai‘i.  The sheer caliber of the mentors that give of their time, our Fellows that always rise to the occasion with their artistry and focus, and the commitment of our local creative community to uplifting new voices is what makes ‘OHINA possible, and enables us to continue to cultivate collaborations and opportunities that will fuel the future.”

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Learn more at https://ohina.org/