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Women of Wonders Film Fest
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The Women of Wonders Film Fest highlights and celebrates the lives and accomplishments of women around the world, and here in Hawai‘i. The film fest presents a selection of films directed by women, about women, for everybody. Each season, the festival highlights woman/girls-driven stories and the contributions of independent woman directors, producers, writers, actresses, cinematographers, and editors to the language of cinema.
At the Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Submission to the 2025 WOW is now open.
2024 Women of Wonders Film Fest
SHORTS PROGRAM #1 LINE-UP
Shorts Program #1 starts at 6:00 PM
Held by Audrey Billups
Held is a sonic, visual and poetic experience of the ocean as a feminine force; mother, lover, bringer of food, comfort, soul nourishment and wonder. When we are Held, we remember the power of water and the magnetic draw of soul to sea.
Roots and Wings: Parisa Parnian by Lisa Yadao, Michelle Sampior, Irene Yadao
Iranian-American multi-disciplinary visual artist and culinary creative behind Savage Taste, Parisa Parnian hosted pop-up dinners in Los Angeles that not only illuminated Persian cuisine but also brought together the LGBTQ community.
Two One Two by Shira Avni
Two One Two combines shimmering clay on glass animation with personal archives in this deeply intimate, experimental animated documentary love letter to motherhood, parenting on the spectrum, and two headed monsters everywhere.
Roots and Wings: Irene Yoo by Lisa Yadao, Michelle Sampior, Irene Yadao
Chef, recipe developer, writer, culinary historian and founder of Yooeating Irene Yoo, whose pop-ups in New York offered a decidedly new take on Korean home cooking and street food.
Thirstygirl by Alexandra Qin
On a road trip with her younger sister, Charlie struggles to hide a secret sex addiction.
Last Date by Andrea Zile Bish
After her boyfriend proposes, a young woman sets out to take care of one teeny weeny thing - divorcing her estranged husband.
KAD by Katharin Mraz
KAD (Korean Adoptee) is a "day in the life" coming of age story about Kate Davison, a Korean Adoptee.
Hemorrhage by Ruth Hayes
Animated agit-prop: against the end of Roe and the evisceration of women’s rights to choose.
Knots by Anna Lytton
5...6...7...8 by Taylor Gruver Carmichael
Four middle-aged friends take a hip hop dance class in an effort to regain their self-confidence.
Pidgin Kauai Style by Erica Byers
Four women candidly discuss regional aspects of Pidgin and share their personal experiences and stories about how speaking Pidgin is a source of pride for them and their community.
SHORTS PROGRAM #2 LINE-UP
Shorts Program #2 starts at 7:30 PM
Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi: Leanne K. Ferrer by Vera Zambonelli
Leanne K. Ferrer was a visionary leader who was passionate about promoting Pacific Islander stories and public media. She was the Executive Director at Pacific Islanders in Communications and co-created the Pacific Heartbeat television series on PBS while overseeing numerous other productions. Leanne understood the significance of connecting media creators to network and share their knowledge, which led her to establish the PIC Media Makers Summit, the Hawaiian Handbook for Media Protocol, and the Hawaiian Media Makers Database to support a thriving creative community. Leanne's previous experience at Disney Films and PBS Hawai'i, as well as her role as the previous Board President for Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking, founding member, and advisory board member of the Hawaiian Media Makers and the Hawaiʻi Film Foundation at Nuʻumealani, made her an invaluable asset to the film community.
Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi: Sancia Miala Shiba Nash by Meleanna A. Meyer
Sancia Miala Shiba Nash is a filmmaker from Kīhei, Maui. Through time-based media, she works collaboratively to amplify intersectional stories of place. Her practice is guided by oral histories, archives, and acts of translation. Currently she is helping to catalog Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina’s moving image collection, as a project of Puʻuhonua Society. In 2020, Sancia cofounded kekahi wahi, a grassroots film initiative dedicated to documenting transformations across Hawaiʻi.
Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi: Ann Marie Nālani Kirk by Amber McClure
Ann Marie Nālani Kirk is an award-winning filmmaker from Maunalua, Oʻahu. Her recent films include: Kai Piha: Nā Loko Iʻa about traditional Hawaiian fishponds, Kai Piha: Kaʻahele Ma Waikiki about the history of traditional Hawaiian surfing in Waikiki and other films include The Hawaiian Room about the legendary Hawaiian dancers and entertainers who Hawaiian Room in the Lexington Hotel, Homealani about her grandfather Oliver H. Kupau, and Happy Birthday, Tūtū Ruth about kupuna Ruth Kaholoaʻa from Waipiʻo, Hawaiʻi. Ann Marie is also the creator of maunalua.net, a cultural website sharing the moʻolelo of Maunalua, Oʻahu.
Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi: Stephanie Castillo by Marlene Booth
An EMMY-award winning director and independent filmmaker for 30 years, Stephanie Castillo was a former Honolulu print journalist and documentary filmmaker committed to producing, directing, and writing documentary films exploring the lives of people driven by devotion to others. Castillo released her first documentary film, Simple Courage, in 1992, which compellingly drew parallels between the treatment of Hansen’s Disease sufferers and people diagnosed with AIDS. Her other major films include: An Uncommon Kindness: The Father Damien Story; An Untold Triumph: The Story of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment; Remember the Boys; Strange Land: My Motherʻs War Bride Story; Night Bird Song: the Incandescent Life of a Jazz Great.
Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi: Shaneika Aguilar by Shirley Thompson
Born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, cinematographer Shaneika Aguilar has always been fascinated with cameras and the ability to capture and materialize a moment in time. She is best known for her work on independent films as well as branded content. Her work as a filmmaker with NMG Network garnered 2 Emmy Awards and 5 Pele Awards and included brands like Halekulani and Flux Media. She is a 2018 graduate of the University of Mānoa Academy of Creative Media, and is the new lead content producer for Redefined Weddings, a boutique photography and video company. She continues her work as a commercial photographer and freelance cinematographer, focused on capturing local stories that build connection and unity in her community.
Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi: Jana Kealohaokeakua Park by Fé María Vásquez
Jana is a multi-talented artist from Hawaiʻi, with experience in acting, writing, producing, and directing. She has produced award-winning short films and worked on feature films, including Molokaʻi Bound. Jana is also a SAG_AFTRA actress and has performed in plays and TV commercials. She has worked on productions for clients such as Disney and Louis Vuitton. Jana is currently the Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Filmmakers Collective, a non-profit supporting independent filmmakers in Hawaiʻi.
Made possible thanks to the generous support of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa SEED IDEAS
Community Partners
Community Partners
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