HIFF38 Audience Award Winners announced

NARRATIVE FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER: SHOPLIFTERS directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda: After one of their shoplifting sessions, a poor family come across a little girl freezing in the cold, and although initially reluctant, welcome her into their home. Though happy together, an unforeseen incident begins to unravel hidden secrets and test the bonds that unite them. From Palme d’Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda, SHOPLIFTERS tells a breathtaking story of family and love told across four seasons on the streets of contemporary Tokyo. SHOPLIFTERS had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or, the grand prize. It is also Japan’s official entry to the foreign language Academy Awards category.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER: MOANANUIĀKEA: ONE OCEAN, ONE PEOPLE, ONE CANOE directed by Naalehu Anthony: In 1976, a voyaging canoe sparked a cultural revival that quickly spread throughout Polynesia, breathing life into ancient myths and legends. More than four decades later, Hōkūleʻa continues to inspire a new generation of navigators and voyagers to gather their courage and sail beyond the horizon of the Pacific. MOANANUIĀKEA celebrates the historic Worldwide Voyage that connected countless communities from around the globe. A voyage that also represented the fulfillment of the vision of Nainoa Thompson and his contemporaries, the passing of the mantle to the next generation of kānaka maoli who will retain the skills of their ancestors and perpetuate this tradition for generations to come. MOANANUIĀKEA had its world premiere at HIFF as the Closing Night Film and also won 2nd place prize for the MADE IN HAWAII competition presented by Hawaii Film Office and the Nichols Family Film Fund. 

SHORT FILM AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER: HAE HAWAI’I directed by Ty Sanga: In 1893, a group of businessmen and sugar planters illegally overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. The kingdom slowly dissolves as loyalists to the crown try to preserve what is left. A young Hawaiian thief is selected to safeguard the unifying symbol of the kingdom, the Hawaiian flag.