The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa , in partnership with the (JANM) and the , will present a special screening of the documentary film “Third Act.” This exclusive event will take place on March 31, 2026, 6–8 p.m. in the Architecture Auditorium (ARCH 205) on the 东精影业 Mānoa campus.

Admission to this event is free and open to the public. Interested attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by .

Directed by Tadashi “Tad” Nakamura, director of JANM鈥檚 Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center, “Third Act” was an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The offers an intimate look at the life of his father, Robert A. Nakamura—a legendary filmmaker and activist. The screening will be followed by a live Q&A session with Tad.

Using the lessons taught to him by his father, Tad deciphers the legacy of an aging man who was just a child when he survived the U.S. concentration camps. Robert was a successful photographer who gave it up to tell his own story, an activist at the dawn of a social movement—and a father whose struggles won his son freedoms that eluded Japanese Americans of his generation. Throughout the years they have made films together, with Robert always by Tad鈥檚 side. “Third Act” was their last.

“The College of Social Sciences is honored to bring this free community screening of ‘Third Act’ to our campus,” said Denise Eby Konan, dean, 东精影业 Mānoa College of Social Sciences. “This film not only celebrates a pioneer in media arts, but offers a powerful exploration of art, activism and the Japanese American experience.”

“The Daniel K. Inouye Institute is honored to support the screening of the Emmy award winning film, ‘Third Act,’ which tells a heartfelt family story of Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII, and of a broader story of resilience and remembrance,” said Jennifer Sabas, president, Daniel K. Inouye Institute. “When I reflect upon the unspeakable, discriminatory hardship imposed on a group of people purely because of the color of their skin, and now the turbulent times in which we find ourselves today, it reminds me of one of Sen. Inouye鈥檚 favorite sayings—‘History is an excellent teacher, provided you heed the lessons learned. Otherwise, you are likely to repeat them.’”

Tadashi Nakamura, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, was named to CNN鈥檚 “Young People Who Rock” list for being the youngest filmmaker at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Now with more than 20 years of filmmaking experience, his films include “Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement” (2024), “Mele Murals” (2016), “Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings” (2013), “A Song for Ourselves” (2009) and “Pilgrimage” (2006).

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 students played a central role in a landmark Southeast Asian film project now completed after years of collaboration. Through a partnership led by the (CSEAS) and the Vietnam Film Institute in Hanoi, more than 70 classic Vietnamese feature films have been digitized and subtitled in English.

The work began in the classroom. In 2007, CSEAS launched a film translation and subtitling course that trained 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 students with advanced Southeast Asian language skills. Students translated dialogue, timed subtitles and helped prepare films for international viewing. Their work laid the foundation for a long-term effort focused on Vietnamese cinema. Former CSEAS associate director Paul Rausch created the course which was taught by John McGlynn.

Over time, the project grew into one of the program鈥檚 most active collaborations. The resulting catalog spans films released between 1959 and 2010.

The films are formatted for streaming on laptops, desktop computers and handheld devices. They are intended for libraries and classrooms, not large theaters or festivals. To support viewers who are hearing impaired, captioning was added alongside English subtitles.

Foundational support for this project was provided through CSEAS‘s designation as a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center.

For more on the catalog email vietnamcinemalibrary@gmail.com. Go to the for the full story.

—By Motoki Saito Yamamori

Hawaiʻi residents are invited to hone high-demand creative industry skills with two production courses set for spring 2026, offered through the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges鈥� initiative, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division.

On-set safety, support for productions

Participants in foundational safety will learn specialized protocols, proficiencies and on-set practices for working with scaffolding, aerial lifts, forklifts and more鈥攁ll key to supporting production needs and obtaining related unionized jobs in the industry. Space is limited, and for Level 1 training beginning January 12, 2026, at . Level 2 training will follow, after necessary Level 1 conditions are met.

Level 1 training will consist of five courses with 72 hours of instruction including scaffolding erection, fall protection, aerial lifts, OSHA 10 and CRP/First Aid/AED certifications. Once the first course bundle is successfully completed, an interview with a local entertainment industry partner will be scheduled.

If the participant is hired, union membership in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees commences after 30 days of employment and the employed individual will be funded to progress to Level 2 training, including scaffolding use and telehandler certification. Instruction is offered across a variety of days and times to maximize community accessibility to the courses. Fully trained and employed unionized workers can expect to earn between $50–150 per hour.

“Good Jobs Hawaiʻi is expanding real opportunities for residents to enter well-paying, in-demand careers, and these courses show how the 东精影业 Community Colleges can quickly respond to the evolving needs of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 creative sector,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president for the 东精影业 Community Colleges. “By offering accessible training that leads to industry-recognized certifications and union eligibility, we鈥檙e helping local talent build long-term careers and supporting a stronger, more resilient economy for Hawaiʻi.”

Course dates for foundation safety Level 1 run January 12–February 7, 2026, with a tuition cost of $1,610. Level 2 tuition is $465. Eligible students can qualify to receive 100% tuition support. To apply and learn more, visit the or email questions to goodjobs@hawaii.edu.

More on Good Jobs Hawaiʻi

A variety of free and low-cost training classes are also available to explore across fields such as education, technology, skilled trades and healthcare, that can help open doors to jobs, paid internships and apprenticeships. More than 6,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in specialized training classes since the Good Jobs Hawaiʻi program launched in 2023. Learn more at the .

The Art of Music Media Masterclass, recently hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, offered local creatives鈥攊ncluding working professionals, hobbyists and students鈥攁n intensive, free workshop merging film production and music industries. The masterclass, held two days in October, aimed to grow skills through real-world experience.

Nearly two dozen participants joined the workshop, including students from 东精影业 West Oʻahu, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, Honolulu Community College, and Kapiʻolani Community College. The goal was to build confidence and community through education.

Students learned technical skills, such as video lighting, shooting, editing and workflow, alongside professional aspects, such as backstage etiquette, ethics and professionalism. For the hands-on capstone, selected students shot content alongside real production teams during the Holo Holo Music Festival.

One student reflected, “Being part of a real working media team—whether in a studio setting or at a live concert—made the learning practical and unforgettable.”

Connected industry skills

Instructor Antonio J. Agosto, Visionize Media co-founder and a former 东精影业 West Oʻahu student, designed the program drawing on his 15 years of experience in concert and festival production.

Agosto explained the course focused on educating photographers, videographers and storytellers on how to work in live music environments while also giving musicians and performers the chance to understand how media plays a role in their careers.

“The Art of Music Media Masterclass was created to bring together two industries that are often connected but rarely taught side by side鈥攆ilm production and the music industry,” Agosto said.

Agosto also emphasized that the training was designed to foster local talent.

“It wasn鈥檛 just about teaching camera skills; it was about showing how creatives in Hawaiʻi can build sustainable careers without having to leave home,” he said. “This masterclass wasn鈥檛 just a class鈥攊t was a reminder that Hawaiʻi can lead in storytelling. We just need the right opportunities and a strong community to make it happen.”

The collaborative effort was launched by Visionize Media, and presented by International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN) in partnership with 东精影业 West Oʻahu, KS Kai膩ulu, Zippy鈥檚, Good Vibez Presents and Visionize Media.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

Aspiring filmmakers are invited to submit a short film pitch for the Sustainability Pitch and Media Competition 2025. Hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi System Office of Sustainability and the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , this year鈥檚 theme is Local Food Production and Consumption.

The competition encourages filmmakers to turn their creativity into impact by using storytelling skills to pitch eye-catching short films that do good for the planet. Three pitches will be chosen. Winning pitches will earn $200 each. Those produced within the academic year will earn an additional $800.

online. Submissions are due November 20, at 11:55 p.m.

Application requirements

• Written pitch for a short film between 15 seconds and 2 minutes long.
• A written description of your idea (100–300 words max).
• A single PDF (4–8 images) showing your concept, visual style, and story progression.
• Pitches must be original (no overlap with class assignments).

Pitches will be judged by community professionals, and finished films will be shared with the 东精影业 community and beyond.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Laura Margulies at lmarguli@hawaii.edu.

graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 will officially premiere a new short documentary on campus this month spotlighting systemic oppression facing a Pakistani woman. PhD student, Haider Rifaat directed, wrote, narrated and produced In Shackles, which will be screened on Friday, January 24, at 1 p.m. in , Room 306.

The short documentary chronicles the life of Shamim, a 34-year-old Pakistani woman navigating the harsh realities of a patriarchal society in a village in Islamabad. Her story focuses on forced marriage and sexual violence, which are connected to more complex societal problems facing Pakistanis, including religious hypocrisy, impact of family conditioning on children and the culture of silence surrounding violence.

“The film鈥檚 title In Shackles is a metaphor to describe helplessness of a woman experiencing personal and professional problems that are connected to broader, more complex societal issues in Pakistan,” said Rifaat.

At only 29 years, Rifaat, who produced the film under his production label Haider Rifaat (HR) Films, is not only a filmmaker but an accomplished journalist and an actor. Through In Shackles, he critiques Pakistan鈥檚 legal system, particularly the Child Marriage Restraint Act, which sets the minimum marriage age for girls at 16.

“Although the short documentary supports women鈥檚 rights, it also centers on complex sociopolitical and legalistic problems that prevent women from progressing. Just like the controversial zina (illicit sexual intercourse) ordinances incarcerated female rape victims under Zia ul Haq鈥檚 controversial regime, laws surrounding child marriages aren鈥檛 accomplishing anything better for girls either. Setting the legal age of marriage for girls to 16 years may give families an opportunity to have their daughters marry without consent, which falls under forced marriage,” Rifaat added.

Rifaat鈥檚 film will also be released simultaneously on YouTube under following the premiere event.

The premiere is sponsored by the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , , and , a policy think tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

A professor at the at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is gaining international recognition for his critically-acclaimed screenwriting. Marc Moody has recently made waves in some of the most prestigious competitions worldwide, showcasing both his talent and the strength of the university鈥檚 cinematic arts program.

In a major accomplishment, Moody was a quarterfinalist in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Nicholl Fellowship International Screenwriting Competition. Considered the top global contest for emerging screenwriters, the Nicholl Fellowship received more than 5,500 entries this year, with Moody鈥檚 screenplay standing out as one of just 354 to advance.

“Marc is a great example of what we are so happy to have at SCA, faculty who are professionals in the field and continue to practice their craft,” said Christine Acham, a professor and chair at SCA.

Moody also proved his versatility and consistency in other renowned competitions. At Screencraft鈥檚 Best Feature International Screenwriting Contest, all four of his submitted screenplays reached the quarterfinals, with one advancing to the semifinals. In the Best Action and Adventure category, another of Moody鈥檚 scripts also made it to the quarterfinals.

Moody鈥檚 screenwriting talents was further validated at the Richmond International Film Festival, where Moody was named a finalist—no small feat in one of the Mid-Atlantic鈥檚 largest and most competitive festivals. Additionally, he was recognized as a finalist in Final Draft鈥檚 Big Break International Screenwriting Contest. The grand prize announcement is slated for this December. His success also extends to the WEScreenplay Diverse Voices competition, where he secured a semifinalist position.

This fall, Moody is teaching screenwriting and film history at The International College of Seville in Spain, part of the 东精影业 Mānoa . He will return to the Mānoa campus to teach screenwriting at SCA in spring 2025.

The School of Cinematic Arts is housed in the 东精影业 Mānoa .

A film that aims to highlight community resilience and strength in the wake of tragedy, created by a filmmaker whose family survived the deadly 2023 Maui brush fires, has been selected to be part of the 2024 (HIFF). Part of the film focuses on the delivered through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Cooperative Extension in Maui County that teaches participants about CPR, medical triage and more.

The family of film director Laurel Tamayo lost their home in the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, and several family members discuss their own accounts of the fire. In addition to clips from the training, Nancy Ooki, associate extension agent for Maui County, discusses why the training is important to the youth and community. Through the film, the director spotlights the strength of the community, their ability to take action and support one another, and the hope for a better future.

The film will premiere at HIFF on Oʻahu on October 8 and 10. Additional showings will take place on Hawaiʻi Island (November 2), on Maui (October 19) and on Lānaʻi (October 23). As part of the Maui showing, a community event is being planned to share information and resources on the training.

Teen disaster training

The program was started in 2018 on Maui and has currently trained more than 500 youth, including 100 teens from across the state on Maui in response to the wildfires on Maui. Youth in the Maui program were recognized as having completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency鈥檚 Teen Community Emergency Response Team training as part of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. As such they can continue with additional training and participate in community education events.

As part of their 30 hours of training, participants demonstrate their knowledge and skills in several areas, including first aid, triage, communication, and damage assessment during a live action disaster simulation where they work in teams to locate and rescue survivors.

The program will expand to Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island during the next year and will be looking for adults to train as instructors for the program. More information will be sent out through the local Youth Development Extension Agents on each island.

For more information about the program contact Ooki at ooki@hawaii.edu or (808) 244-3242 ext. 225.

The University of Hawaiʻi Academy for Creative Media (ACM) System is offering a unique opportunity for ACM students and faculty across all 10 campuses to engage with the film industry through the 44th annual presented by Halekulani (HIFF). The highly anticipated festival opens on October 3, and ACM participants are encouraged to register for free tickets and passes, courtesy of the .

The HIFFxACM Accelerator is designed to help budding filmmakers and creative media students make critical connections within the industry while furthering their own professional and creative goals. The exclusive ACM pass offers free admission to five HIFF44 premiere screenings, access to industry panels, and invitations to special presentations at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, including screenings of renowned films.

Said ACM System Founder and Director Chris Lee, “We鈥檙e so excited to partner for a second year in the HIFF x ACM Accelerator program. Already, over 400 students and faculty from across the 东精影业 System have signed up for the free tickets and we’re going to keep the registration open through the Festival.”

Boba Fett, special screenings

One of the festival鈥檚 highlights is the in-person appearance of Star Wars actor Temuera Morrison at 东精影业 West Oʻahu on October 16, for a screening of . The event will be followed by a special presentation of , a documentary celebrating Hawaiian cultural icons, such as ʻIolani Luahine and Sonny Chillingworth, featuring precious images out of the campus鈥� premiere archive,

Beyond screenings, ACM students can dive deeper into the festival through networking events like the Cinema and Media Mentor program, and HIFF鈥檚 Metaverse, which connects them with media professionals globally. These opportunities expand their exposure to the broader film and media industries, helping them explore career paths beyond the classroom.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the University of Hawaiʻi Academy for Creative Media through the HIFFxACM Accelerator program. This initiative has proven wildly popular and impactful for students and professors alike, providing our talented ACM participants with invaluable access to the festival and fostering vital connections within the film industry. HIFF is excited to support the next generation of filmmakers as they explore their creative potential and engage with the rich tapestry of international cinema,” said Beckie Stocchetti, HIFFexecutive director.

The HIFFxACM Accelerator program aims to empower students through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of international cinema. HIFF continues its mission to promote cultural exchange among the people of Asia, the Pacific, and North America while advancing film literacy and career development for 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 emerging filmmakers.

ACM System supports 16 different programs across all 10 东精影业 campuses.