The 45th Hawai’i International Film Festival wrapped its awards ceremony with a reception at the Halekulani Hotel, distributing $58,000 in prizes across categories celebrating international cinema, Pacific Island storytelling and homegrown Hawai’i talent.

Leon Le’s “Ky Nam Inn,” a tender Vietnam-set drama exploring grief and desire in post-conflict Saigon, claimed the Kau Ka Hōkū (Shooting Star) Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines. The prize recognizes emerging filmmakers working on their first or second feature.

“Elegance and simplicity can be deceptive — they require deep intention and precision to resonate so deeply,” the jury said of the film, which follows a young translator and an older widow navigating unspoken emotions. “Through its beautiful weaving of poetry, music, and litera

See Full Page