This year’s Big Island Film Festival — more affectionately known as “The Talk Story Film Festival” — promises its 11th annual celebration of the art of filmmaking will live up to the event’s reputation as one of the biggest and most-enriching film experiences on the islands.
This year’s Big Island Film Festival — more affectionately known as “The Talk Story Film Festival” — promises its 11th annual celebration of the art of filmmaking will live up to the event’s reputation as one of the biggest and most-enriching film experiences on the islands.
Big Island filmmaker Richard Gonzales’ “Bullitt” series has been featured at the festival for several years running. He said the experience of attending the festival is not only lots of fun, but lasting.
“It really is a different kind of festival,” Gonzales said. “Everyone attending the festival is so accessible to each other, so open to each other’s projects and interests. You end up making friends there, following their work and then meeting them again the next year. It ends up feeling like family.”
This year, in addition to his “Bullitt” series, Gonzales teamed up with Waimea-based writer and West Hawaii Today freelance writer Karen Rose in a film short called “Water Girl.”
“It was so rewarding working on this film with Richard, ” Rose said. “The actors’ performances were mesmerizing. Watching the film for the first time, I was deeply struck by each actor’s performance. And it was incredible how Richard really made Waimea look and feel like Mexico where the story takes place.”
“Water Girl” is entirely a Big Island project, written, directed, produced and filmed locally. It is also performed by local actors.
Rose’s inspiration for the story arrived at a writer’s workshop after her group was prompted to write something along the theme of “stolen.” For Rose, it was personal — about stolen childhood.
“It’s been transforming to be able to share this in a short film format,” she said. “My hope is that the film conveys that you can come out on the other side of the experiences of abuse as a whole person. The result is therapeutic.”
Nearly as inspiring — the total cost for the film was about $100.
“This project was a labor of love on every level,” Gonzales said. “Karen (Rose) has helped us on other various projects, including acting in a couple of our ‘Bullitt’ movies. We all wanted to volunteer our efforts to help see her project realized.”
“I showed up with pizza and water for everyone on the set,” Rose recalled. “The result of everyone’s talented and heartfelt effort was amazing.”
“Water Girl” is only one a of multitude of films and genres to be featured at the Big Island Film Festival this year.
Micheal Worth will be accompanying with his film, “Catfish Blues.” Actor Micheal Gross, of “Family Ties” and “Tremors, along with filmmaker Linda Palmer will attend the festival with their film, “Last call at Murray’s.”
“Popolo,” “God is a Dog,” and “Throuple” are all Hawaiian films being presented at the festival.
In addition to film viewing, question and answer sessions will be held throughout the festival. The Golden Honu Award Brunch welcomes the public to celebrate the films and filmmakers who are chosen as best in their various categories. A silent auction to benefit the Fisher House will be held and followed by a performance by legendary HAPA (Barry Flanagan and Kapono Nailiili).
A sunset garden reception will be held for filmmakers, celebrities and fellow film enthusiasts with libations and pupu.
The festival gets underway Thursday and continues through May 30 at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii in South Kohala. Ticket prices for single movies range from $6 to $8, but prices for various events can cost up to $45. A complete list of films and activities, as well as a way to purchase passes and make reservations, is available online.
Info: www.bigislandfilmfestival.com.■