“LAHI” Short Film To Premiere In Hawaii at Hawaii International Film Festival in November
Filipino American short film “LAHI” is making its Hawaii Premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) on November 4, 2022 at 6pm.
“Lahi” is the Tagalog word for race or legacy. The short film is a narrative story about a young, culturally-disconnected Filipina girl named Mimi who returned to Oahu for her grandmother’s funeral.
Filmed in Hawaii with a local crew of professionals, the short film is inspired by writer and director Reina Bonta’s own experiences as a third-generation Filipina, as well as the life of her Lola, a World War II survivor born and raised in the Philippines.”LAHI” has also debuted in various film festivals in the country: Portland Film Festival (global premiere), San Diego Filipino Film Festival (California premiere), LA Femme International Film Festival, and Twin Cities Film Festival (Midwest premiere).
The cast includes Tiki Willis (debut lead performance, known for Magnum P.I., has upcoming Netflix pilot project) as Mimi, Tesse Magaoay (Oahu-based actor) as Andrea, Virginia Almonte-Savella Harper as Gabriella, and Cynthia Bonta (Reina’s grandmother, lifelong activist) as Lola’s apparition.
“LAHI” is part of HIFF’s Made In Hawaii Shorts screening at Kahala Consolidated Theatres on November 4 at 6pm. Tickets go on sale on October 17. To purchase, visit https://hiff.org/events/madeinhawaiishorts1/.
