Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival to celebrate māhu stories

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation unveiled the schedule for their 36th Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, built around the theme of 'Where Stories Take Root.'
The festival will take place at the Doris Duke Theatre from June 27 to June 29, and the public is invited to buy tickets for the 'unforgettable celebration of queer storytelling, culture and community.'
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Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival is one of the longest-running and esteemed queer film festivals in the nation, and will feature local, national and worldwide films.
'Queer storytelling and representation in media is so important for members of the LGBTQIA+/MVPFAFF+ community,' said Brent Anbe, the director of the festival. 'It fosters pride in authenticity, helping others to embrace their identity while reminding them that they are not alone.'
The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival schedule is as follows:June 27 at 7:30 p.m.
'SEAT 31: Zooey Zephyr,' a short film directed by Kimberly Reed, explores character Zooey Zephyr's expulsion from the Montana House of Representatives for defending transgender medical care, and her acts of resilience following her expulsion.
'Heightened Scrutiny,' the opening night feature film directed by Sam Feder, will follow character Chase Strangio, an ACLU attorney and the first openly transgender person to argue a case before the Supreme Court as he fights to overturn a ban on gender-affirming car for queer youth.
June 28 at 1 p.m.
'Paradise of Thorns,' a matinee feature film directed by Boss Kuno, follows a queer individual coping with the loss of his partner and his fight to reclaim their home.
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June 28 at 4 p.m.
'GiGi,' an animated short directed by Cynthia Calvi, follows the gender transition story of a mermaid.
'First Comes Love,' a short film directed by Kanaka director Sayla Uʻilani Whalen, is a coming-of-age romance between two teenage girls. Whalen will be in attendance at this showing.
'Sisters,' the centerpiece feature directed by Susie Yankou, follows two girls who discover one of them actually has a long-lost sister. Following the discovery, their relationship begins to strain. An actor from the film will be in attendance.
June 28 at 7 p.m.
'The 7th Moon,' a short film directed by Hawaiʻi resident Tony Dia, reimagines the Filipino myth of Bakunawa and the seven moons as an allegory for abuse. Dia will be in attendance.
'Queens of the Dead,' a feature film directed by Tina Romero, follows drag queens and club kids as they battle zombies during an undead outbreak at a Brooklyn drag show.
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June 29 at 11 a.m.
'EKG,' a short film directed by Allan Q. Brocka, will follow an emergency room doctor coping with guilt and fear following his coming out. Brocka will be in attendance.
'Velvet Vision: The Story of James Bidgood and the Making of Pink Narcissus,' a documentary directed by Bart Every, follows visionary James Bidgood who was a prominent figure in 1960s queer art. Every will be in attendance.
June 29 at 2 p.m.
'Just Between Us,' a short film directed by Zac Hug, follows a queer couple in an open relationship. The lead actors will be in attendance.
'Riley,' the festival's closing feature film directed by Benjamin Howard, follows a high school athlete as he faces conflict between his queer identity and societal standards. Howard and the lead actor will both be in attendance.
VIP passes, as well as tickets for individual screenings and events are available to buy online, with discounts for students an kūpuna. To purchase tickets, visit hrff.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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