Film festivals announced for Los Angeles and Hawai‘i

Two upcoming film festivals are set to showcase diverse cinematic works. The 13th annual Highland Park Independent Film Festival will take place in Northeast Los Angeles from September 30 through October 4, 2026. Themed “Roots to Reels: A Celebration of Cinema’s Transformative Power,” the event features 12 programs at the Garibaldina Society, including international premieres, a mini-horror festival, and comedy programs.

The 46th annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) will run from October 21 to November 15. Under the leadership of new executive director Jean H. Lee, the festival follows the theme “voyagers and visionaries.” The lineup includes 84 films and 86 shorts, with a focus on the Pacific and Asia. Screenings will be held on O‘ahu and the Neighbor Islands, complemented by the HIFILM Industry Conference in late October.