Within the past 2 weeks I had the opportunity to go to the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). For a first timer attending to this festival, I had the experience of what it is like to be in “the press” as well to what I thought of this experience. Within this paper, I will discuss my overall experience from picking up our passes, to arriving at the theatre, what films I watched, and what my overall experience about the festival.
When it was the opening day of the festival, me and my friends decided to pick up our passes together since we are all were very close with each other. In which we picked up the passes on a Friday since Saturday they were only open to 2:00pm, so we thought it was easier to pick them up on Friday. However, by picking up our passes on a Friday, it was very crowded based on the fact it was the first few days of the film festival. Once, we arrived we saw the ticket stand in which we thought automatically that, that is where we should pick up our passes in which we stood in line for 30 minutes. By the time we were in the front of the line, we asked the clerk that we were to pick up our tickets, in which he pointed, to get the passes we had to go to another table in which was inside of the theatre lobby. Based off that note, we then had to go inside the theatre where the lobby was and was able to get our tickets smoothly. Personally, I wish the staff had a sign or person that would direct us where to go. Example would include a person in the front so that we can automatically ask them where to go. For it would save precious time in making sure we watched the films that we did want to see or just wanted to grab our passes and leave. In which in our case, we were only there to grab our passes. We even had to ask the person who was giving out the passes if we need to do anything else regarding to sign in as well where to come in. Based on this note, regarding organization of setting up I definitely think they should have a person in the front to direct people of where to go, for it will make things easier and smoother for people who are not familiar, who are first timers, or just confused of where to go.
On the day that we wanted to see “Modest Heroes” by Ponoc films, we automatically went straight through the doors of the theatre, based on the day of receiving our passes. However, once entering we weren’t sure if the staff was going to announce when the film was about to start, so we just stayed at the lobby of the theatre just to make sure. It wasn’t until when the film that we were about to see that they were letting people in, which was an indication that the film was about to start in which both my friends and I headed to the theatre that we were supposed to go. Based on that note, I guess it is understandable that people with the press pass would automatically go to the theatre directly, but at the same time as a student who is attending the festival for the first time I didn’t know what to do. But understanding the fact, that once you enter the theatre you can either hang out in the lobby or stand by the theatre where it is showing gives us the options to do whatever we wanted in the meantime before screening.
Soon enough it was almost time for the screening of “Modest Heroes”, in which we headed over to the theatre. Walking over there not only was it packed with people, but as well claustrophobic with people waiting for other films. I can definitely see why people were waiting outside in those lines, because I cannot imagine those lines to be in front of the theatre that would be screening because that would be crazy! I liked the fact that the staff members were going in order when it came to scanning people’s tickets from highest to lowest. Because it is hard to keep people in line, especially within the crowd of people, the best solution is to call people with specific tickets to come up first to scan their tickets. It wasn’t long until we were next to be scanned our tickets, and soon enough we were in and were given a piece of paper to review the film, in which you tear a section of the paper based on where it was marked from a rating of poor to excellent. Which to me was something that was smart especially the fact that no one really carries around a pencil or pen. By the time we sat down, we saw the previews in which were mostly based on the festival, as well local advertisements. Based on that, we were able to settle in and make ourselves comfortable until the film started. By the end of the film, we were able to rip what we thought of the film in which was difficult to see so we had to pull out our iPhone flashlight in order to see. Even some of the people in the audience had to pull out their iPhone lights too in order to see not only the pamphlet, but as well see the stairs. This process was the exactly the same the next day when we watched “Herstory”.
To conclude my overall experience at HIFF, I thought it was really fun and interesting to see all these international films come together and do a showing in which is open to the public. Especially exclusive films that are not only international, but as well as films made by students here in Hawaii. However, there are improvements in which HIFF needs to work on in which is to have people or a sign directing where to go in terms of getting passes or tickets. As well they should have directory inside the theatre as well or a person to make sure that a person has a pass or has any questions regarding where to go and such. I recommend to those who are interested in films to go to the next HIFF, and get a pass so that you can watch as many films that you may be interested in. Although I was busy within that week, I would have liked to see the other films that they were screening. Maybe next time, when I am not so busy I would see more films.