HIFF will showcase 31 films at their 13th annual Spring Showcase April 16-22 at the Dole Cannery Theatres (see the program guide here). Of those, twenty-three will be Hawaii premieres of global films from Iran, France, Italy, India, Israel and of course HIFF’s niche–Asia.

Though it’s a month away, I’m making a plan now for what to see lest a month come and go and I’ve no more room in my schedule. Some of my initial picks are: 

1)  ABOUT ELLY: a weekend outing near the Caspian Sea is disrupted by small lies (Iran); 

2) the crime drama AJAMI (by two directors, one Israeli one Palestinian) about “the tragic consequences of enemies living as neighbors”; 

3) BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS (JAPAN) offering a view of Earth’s troubles via a look at Tuvalu in the South Pacific, Venice, Italy, and Shishmaref, Alaska; and 

4) FIBERGLASS AND MEGAPIXELS (U.S.) digging into competitive surfing and the images that make the life possible.

There are, of course, so many more films that pique my interest, and it’s difficult to choose only these four. If only there were two of me (or more, like “Multiplicity“) so that I could see all 31.

Tickets for HIFF Ohana members ($8) on sale Monday, April 5th |  general public ($12) on Wednesday, April 7th.