HIFF SPRING FLING HAWAII PREMIERE OF 'SUMO EAST AND WEST' DRAWS BLOCKBUSTER SIZE CROWDS AT SUNSET ON THE BEACH
Sumo demonstration at Sunset on the Beach of the OAHU SUMO CLUB
"photo by Joe Solem, courtesy Pacific Islanders in Communication"

Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Fling Presented By Commercial Data Systems Hawaii premiere of 'SUMO EAST AND WEST' draws blockbuster size crowds at Sunset On The Beach.

"We estimated 6,000 - 8,000 residents and visitors enjoyed the Hawaii premiere of the Hawaii-based feature film," said Malcolm Tom, Deputy Managing Director of the City and County of Honolulu. Sunset on the Beach averages 6,000 -8,000 movie goers for Hollywood blockbuster movies [ie Star Wars].

Sunset on the Beach movies are located on beautiful Waikiki Beach with scenic Diamond Head in the background. HIFF working in partnership with the City & County of Honolulu has provided Hawaii-based films a unique opportunity to share independent films with large audiences of residents and visitors at Sunset on the Beach. Sunset on the Beach events supports local businesses by significantly increasing retail business in Waikiki. Sunset on the Beach has been recognized as an event that has successfully attracted local residents into Waikiki on a weekly basis.

"Based on the record-breaking attendance of THE RIDE at the fall festival, we knew SUMO EAST & WEST was the perfect film for Sunset on the Beach," said Chuck Boller, HIFF executive director. "SUMO EAST AND WEST is a documentary that provides a rare inside look at foreigners entering the quintessential culture of Sumo featuring four Hawaii residents. Hawaii has a special connection with the sport of SUMO with a rich 100 year history of SUMO in Hawaii. We hope residents and visitors who missed this very special screening will see the second screening of SUMO EAST AND WEST on April 8th at Signature Dole Cannery Theatres 18 at 6:30pm."

The cast and crew of the SUMO EAST AND WEST were present at Sunset on the Beach including Ferne Pearlstein - Co-Director/Producer, Robert Edwards - Co-Director/Producer, and Wayne Vierra - Oahu Sumo Club and retired professional Sumo wrestler.


FILM INFORMATION
SUMO EAST AND WEST
Hawai'i/USA, 2003
Thursday, April 8- 6:30pm
Film Type: Sumo documentary featuring 4 local boys
Noteworthy:
1. Featuring Wayne Vierra, Akebono, Konoshiki and Jesse Kuhaulua,
2. Rare inside look into the internationalization of a quintessential Japanese sport,
3. Featuring some of the earliest known motion picture footage of Sumo in the pineapple fields of Hawaii by the inventor of the motion picture himself, Thomas Edison,
4. HIFF Sunset on the Beach Film,
5. Funded in part by Pacific Islanders in Communications,
6. Features Oahu's own Oahu Sumo Club based in Punaluu
7. SUMO EAST AND WEST to be shown on PBS/Independent Lens on June 8, 2004

Capsule synopsis: This spectacular feature documentary provides a fascinating look in the ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling and through the story of local boy Wayne Vierra, a champion in amateur sumo, we find out how Hawai`i changed and challenged sumo wrestling. An amazing film!

PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN COMMUNICATIONS
Pacific Islanders is a national nonprofit media organization established primarily for the purpose of increasing national public broadcast programming by and about Pacific Islanders. Primary funding for PIC is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

April 3 - 4
. Saturday through Sunday - 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
April 5 - 8
. Monday through Saturday - 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

For more information, call 528-HIFF [4433] or visit online at www.hiff.org.

QUOTES
"One of the ten best film festivals around the world."
Travel & Leisure Magazine

"Must attend."
Entertainment Weekly

"Enormous crowds turn out, many of them movie fanatics"
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"Mo' bettah"
Honolulu Weekly 11/03

"Mission Accomplished: HIFF promotes Cultural Understanding Through Film" for its 23rd Year"
IndieWire 11/03

"HIFF brings the world to Hawaii."
Ka Leo O Hawaii - University of Hawaii 10/03

"Spotlight shines on HIFF films"
Star Bulletin 10/03

"Annual Film Festival Returns Brighter Than Ever"
Da Kine Magazine 11/03