HONOLULU (KHON2) — The filmmaking revolution, that is.
Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking (HWF) is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide opportunities and training to Hawaiʻi’s diverse population of potential filmmakers.
The philosophy behind this incredibly active filmmaking organization is the belief “that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives”.
HWF was launched in 2011 after the founder Vera Zambonelli realized that working together produces much more success than going at things alone. It’s easier to overcome challenges and change narratives when we work together.
KHON2.com was able to catch with Zambonelli who is in the process of prepping for HWF’s summer that’s chock full of seminars, classes, camps and much more.
“Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking is committed to redress gender inequity in the film industry,” declared Zambonelli. “We advocate for women and girls, trans- and cis-gender, queer folks to seize the opportunity to tell their story through film.”
Folks of walks of life are welcome to join HWF. Feel like you are too old? Well, you aren’t. Want something for your keiki to focus their energy into? HWF has lots to offer. Don’t have the money to invest in a film career or hobby. That does not matter.
“I’m happy to share that we are ageless, well, maybe not ageless; but what I mean by that is that we welcome all ages because we do go from program for youth all the way up,” said Zambonelli. “We offer educational programs for young people whose age can go from 12 to 18. We even had a 78-year-old person who began working with us.”
Zambonelli believes that it is important to foster intergenerational dialogue. So, HWF has programs for the youth and for what she calls the older youth,
“So, to a certain extent, all ages are welcome to join us for our programs initiatives and community events,” added Zambonelli.
Zambonelli said that there have been the rare few keiki younger than 12 who jump in and dominate in filmmaking. For those, she goes the extra mile to bring their legal guardians into the conversation.
HWF recently wrapped on Making Media That Matters workshop. This took place throughout the months of February through April and offered young filmmakers the opportunity to learn how to become a photojournalist.
This summer, HWF is once again offering Reel Camps.
“Reel Camps provide a courageous and safe environment for girls [cis/trans], femmes, non-binary, gender-fluid and gender-queer youth, as well as any other youth who identify outside of the gender binary to learn filmmaking,” said Zambonelli. “It is a place where they can express their creativity, boost their confidence and embark on a journey of personal transformation.”
The camp allows participants to learn to create and share their own stories, “which are meaningful and deserve to be heard and seen,” added Zambonelli.
This program teaches keiki ages 13-17 how to write, shoot and edit a short film. It is taking place between July 15-26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can click here for registration details. And please do not allow lack of funds to prevent you from signing up for this important experience. HWF will work with you.
If you’re looking to get an idea of how filmmaking works and what sorts of things these keiki and adults are making, then pop by HWF for a screening of The Tuba Thieves by filmmaker Alison O’Daniel.
In this film, O’Daniel explores tubas were stolen from high schools across Southern California between 2011 and 2013. Against this backdrop, hard of hearing filmmaker O’Daniel generates new sensitivity to sound and meaning in an unconventional documentary experience.
The screening is set for May 27 at 6 p.m. at the Hub in Kakaako. This event is free and open to the public. Click here for more details.
If you are a non-profit looking for high quality videos to get more information out about your services, then look no further than HWF.
HWF offers video production services for non-profits and local businesses.
“By hiring us, you support our mission to create the conditions for women and girls to develop professionally in the field of filmmaking,” read HWF’s website. Click here for more details.
One of HWF’s big accomplishments is the Wāhine in Film Lab Projects. These are short films and documentaries written by, directed by and produced by Hawaiʻi wāhine in film with the help and support of HWF. You can click here to learn more about completed productions and those that are in pre-production.
Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking has so much to offer the community. So, the next time you are looking for something to give more meaning to your life, pop by HWF. They will definitely help you find your voice.