Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi is a documentary series dedicated to highlighting the stories and achievements of Hawaiʻi women filmmakers who preserve Hawai‘i history and culture through film and inspire future generations to explore the art of filmmaking. The series is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and produced by Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking. www.reelwahineofhawaii.org/
Each episode delves into the personal journeys, challenges, and achievements of these extraordinary women, offering viewers a profound understanding of their artistic visions and the impact they have on the film industry.
Featured Filmmakers:
Alison Week is a filmmaker based in Waimea, Hawaiʻi. She produces narrative and non-fiction films. Her personal film work aims to uplift stories of women and represent her island home. Recently, she co-directed the documentary feature Island Cowgirls, now airing as part of the Pacific Heartbeat series on PBS/World Channel. Directed by Shirley Thompson.
Chaunnel "Pākē" Salmon is an award-winning filmmaker and entrepreneur from Hawaiʻi. She draws inspiration from Hawaiian surf legends and nature to showcase the beauty of Hawaiʻi's stories and culture to a global audience. Through her works, she transforms the legacy of abandonment into one of abundance, driven by Aloha ʻĀina. Directed by Vera Zambonelli
Lola Quan Bautista, born and raised on the island of Guam, has been doing research on Micronesian migration, settlement in urban spaces, and ongoing connections between diasporic communities and their home island nations. Lola has directed and produced films that promote understanding and social justice. Directed by Shaneika Aguilar.
Robin Lung is a fourth-generation Chinese American filmmaker from Hawaiʻi. She specializes in bringing untold stories of minorities and women to the big screen. Her documentary, Finding KUKAN, won the American Library Association's Notable Film Award in 2019, and her first stop-motion animated film, Anna Unbound, premiered in 2023. Directed by Donna Choo.
Shirley Thompson is a renowned documentary producer, editor and writer. She is best known for editing award-winning documentaries such as Baseball Behind Barbed Wire, The 'Ilima Lady, Island Cowgirls, Finding Kukan, and Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai'i. These films have received major funding from the NEA and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and her work has received significant recognition, including an Emmy and a Peabody award. Directed by Lisette Marie Flanary.
Tiare Ribeaux is a Kānaka Maoli filmmaker based in Honolulu. Her films use magical realism to critique social and ecological imbalances. Ribeaux's work explores the connection between our bodies and land and water systems, focusing on transformation. She has won numerous grants and awards for her artistic leadership, including the Sundance Native Lab Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts. Directed by Erin Lau.