Film

The Mid-Pacific Film Program offers students an immersive, hands-on education in visual storytelling. Through IB Film and the Film Production I–IV sequence, students learn the foundations of screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, production design, sound, lighting, editing, and film analysis. As they advance, they take on increasingly ambitious narrative and documentary projects that strengthen both their technical abilities and their creative voices.

Students also have opportunities to visit professional film sets, participate in industry field trips, and collaborate with working filmmakers and mentors across Hawai‘i’s vibrant creative community. Each year culminates in a student film showcase at the Doris Duke Theater at the Honolulu Museum of Art, celebrating a range of films created by our student filmmakers. Their work has earned top awards in Hawai‘i and screened in festivals around the world, reflecting the program’s emphasis on excellence, collaboration, and culturally grounded storytelling. Recent honors include the ‘Ōlelo Youth Best High School Expert Film Award (2023, 2024, 2025), the Jane Austen International Film Festival Best Student Film (2024), HIFF ‘Ōpiofest Best Film (2024), HIFF ‘Ōpiofest Cultural Beacon Award (2025), and numerous additional regional and international recognitions.

Our graduates are prepared for both college and career pathways, with alumni accepted into top film schools including USC, Loyola Marymount, Chapman, and Emerson. Whether students seek a professional future in the film industry or simply want to explore a powerful medium of expression, the Film Program provides a challenging, supportive space to learn, experiment, and create meaningful work.