Moderated by film critic/former editor of the Maui Scene, Rick Chatenever
Hollywood is worlds away from the Hawaiian Islands, but local actors Moses Goods, Amy Hill, and Moronai Kanekoa had the courage to dream big. How they mastered the craft and navigated the voyage from independent productions to multimillion-dollar epics, including “Chief of War,” will provide a fascinating journey for the audience in the studio and at home. How do island values translate into cutting-edge screen craft? Is acting an “art” ... or just pretending? Do actors ever really make it, and escape the nagging insecurities of the creative process? Learn the answers to these and so many more questions in this lively panel moderated by Chatenever, who interviewed all the big stars over the 20-year run of the Maui Film Festival.
Broadcast and live-streamed by Akakū Community Media.
Panelists:
Amy Hill
Moses Goods
Moronai Kanekoa
Moderator: Kathy Collins
Crafting compelling tales for the screen is a complex, challenging art. Whether you’re an experienced or aspiring screenwriter, or a film buff interested in the stories behind the scripts, our esteemed panel will inform and inspire you as they share their diverse personal journeys and insights.
Broadcast and live-streamed by Akakū Community Media.
Panelists:
Eric Rochant
Noah Evslin
Stefan Schaefer
Join acclaimed filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, a Haʻikū, Maui–born storyteller, for an intimate discussion on the art of storytelling, the creative process, and the journey from Hawaiʻi to the global stage.
Known for his deeply human approach to filmmaking, Cretton has earned international recognition as a writer, director, and producer, creating stories that resonate across cultures and generations. From his roots as a local boy from Maui to becoming one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary cinema, Cretton is best known for Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, Just Mercy, and Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He is currently developing upcoming Marvel projects including Wonder Man and the next installment in the Spider-Man franchise. Deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of storytellers, he is also the founder of the Hisako Film Lab, an initiative dedicated to supporting and empowering emerging filmmakers, with a focus on creating access and opportunity for voices from Hawaiʻi and beyond. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to empathy, community, and truth in storytelling, as well as a continued investment in giving back to Maui. In this special festival conversation, he will reflect on his career, creative influences, and the power of cinema to connect communities and inspire change.
Moderated by Hawaii Film Critics Society founder Barry Wurst, this televised featured event offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear from engage with one of the most influential filmmakers working today. Presented as part of the inaugural Wailuku Film Festival, this conversation celebrates the spirit of storytelling, artistic excellence, and the future of filmmaking in Hawaiʻi.
Wailuku isn’t just a town—it’s a pulse. Nestled at the foot of Iao Valley and alive with ancestral memory, Wailuku has long served as Maui’s civic heart. Today, it is undergoing a transformation. As a federally designated hub of Arts and Entertainment, the town is experiencing a creative and cultural renaissance, and the Wailuku Film Festival emerges as a catalyst—bringing new economic energy and breathing life into its evolution as the island’s creative capital.
With a central location easily accessible from all parts of the island, Wailuku’s walkable streets, historic Iao Theater, local galleries, storefronts, and civic spaces provide a natural canvas for immersive screenings, talk story panels, and community celebrations. The town is already home to many of Maui’s most vital cultural initiatives and is steps away from the Academy For Creative Media at University of Hawaii Maui College, where emerging filmmakers and animators are mentored by industry leaders.
Our first annual festival invites creatives from across the islands and those who have journeyed far from home to return, not just physically but spiritually and artistically. Together, we honor legacy, uplift emerging voices, and spark a movement that bridges generations, cultures, and oceans.In this moment when Maui seeks healing, renewal, and reconnection, Wailuku stands ready, not only as a venue but as a vessel. A place to remember. A place to imagine. A place to come home to.
Experience cinema in the heart of Maui’s creative capital. Festival screenings will take place at the historic Iao Theater, MAPA’s new Naylor Theater—a state-of-the-art black box venue which opened it’s doors in December 2025—and other unique spaces throughout town. Looking ahead, Wailuku’s cultural landscape will continue to expand with the planned cultural center at the corner of Vineyard and Church Streets, a landmark project set to open in the coming years as a hub for the arts and community gatherings.
Beyond the screens, our immersive programming unfolds in a walkable, federally designated arts district—a revitalized downtown alive with history, public art, and local creativity. Visitors can stroll between venues, enjoy live music, explore galleries, and connect with filmmakers in vibrant civic spaces.
We take pride in offering high-touch, artist-focused hospitality, pairing exceptional cinematic programming with deep community engagement. From curated filmmaker panels and talk-story sessions and school outreach, we bridge the magic of film with the rich heritage of Wailuku.
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