Wailuku Film Festival draws 5,300-plus in debut year

The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival brought more than 5,300 attendees to Historic Wailuku over five days in June, with 100-plus films, sold-out screenings and 12.5 million media impressions. Organizers say the debut positions Maui as a growing destination for independent cinema and Hawaiʻi storytelling.

Why it matters: - The debut festival put Maui at the center of independent cinema for Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and visiting filmmakers from 15 countries and Indigenous nations. - The event gave local audiences, students and artists a new place to connect, screen work and build careers without leaving home. - Festival organizers say the model can strengthen Maui’s creative economy and expand opportunities for Hawaiʻi storytellers.

What happened: - The Wailuku Film Festival ran June 17–21, 2026, in Historic Wailuku and at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. - The Maui Film Office launched the festival with support from the County of Maui. - Pacific Media Group and Hampton Inn Maui North Shore presented the event. - The festival drew more than 4,000 attendees in the first four days and another 1,300 people for the final-day Best of Fest. - The program included 100-plus films, more than 55 Hawaiʻi-made films and 30 student productions. - Filmmakers from 15 countries and Indigenous nations took part. - Several screenings at ʻĪao Theater sold out.

The details: - Festival programming generated more than 12.5 million media impressions across press and social media. - Coverage reached audiences across the Hawaiian Islands, the continental United States and international markets. - Wailuku town businesses reported higher activity and sales during the festival. - Audiences moved between theaters, filmmaker conversations, coffee shops, restaurants, galleries, boutiques and local shops throughout the week. - The Indigenous Voices Program featured Native Hawaiian, Māori and Indigenous filmmakers focused on culture, language, genealogy, environmental stewardship and resilience. - The Watersports Program showcased surf documentaries, ocean adventure films and stories about exploration and conservation. - The Maui premiere of SURFILMUSIC featured Jack Johnson and a lineup of surfers, musicians and filmmakers. - Maui-raised filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton attended and mentored emerging Hawaiʻi storytellers. - The festival partnered with Pacific Media Group, Akakū Maui Community Media, Hisako Film Lab, Maui Huliau Foundation, Mid-Pacific Institute, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Academy for Creative Media and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Cinematic Arts. - Students screened work alongside established filmmakers and met industry professionals. - Hawaiʻi filmmaker Ethan Chang said presenting Nā Kāne ʻElima was a milestone and showed community support for Hawaiʻi stories told from the inside out. - Mayor Richard Bissen said the festival gives local filmmakers a place to be recognized at home while strengthening the creative economy. - Festival Director Brian Kohne said the first year exceeded expectations and showed how storytelling can bring communities together.

Between the lines: - The festival was designed to do more than fill theaters. It also aimed to build a pipeline for Hawaiʻi talent, from students to diaspora filmmakers returning home. - The emphasis on Indigenous voices and ocean culture signals a clear curatorial identity rooted in place, not just imported entertainment. - Strong turnout and sold-out screenings suggest demand for a recurring festival with local relevance and international reach.

What's next: - Planning is already underway for the 2027 Wailuku Film Festival. - Organizers plan to expand opportunities for Hawaiʻi filmmakers, Indigenous storytellers, watersports filmmakers, students, educators and community partners. - The long-term goal is to establish Wailuku as one of the Pacific’s premier destinations for independent cinema. - Organizers also aim to keep building Hawaiʻi’s creative economy and next generation of storytellers. - More information is available here.