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May 2004
 Filmmaker
Leah Kihara (Native Hawaiian)
was selected to receive support for her independent production,
i scream, floats and Sundays, by the Short Film Initiative
of Pacific Islanders in Communication. In 2002 the film won the
Hawai'i Film and Video Maker Award at the Hawai'i International
Film Festival. Kihara, who heads Punk Productions, has worked
on several series for public television and currently teaches
video oral history at 'Olelo Community Television in Oahu. She
has worked in film production throughout the Pacific Rim, in Indonesia,
Sri Lanka, Singapore, Tahiti, Rapa Nui, and the United States.
She graduated in film at the University of Southern California.
"Since Hawai'i's collision with the Western world, the representation
of Hawaiians in popular culture has been a series of misleading
or negative
self-imagery. I have the opportunity to provide an alternative
visualization to instill pride instead of shame for our brown
skin and to bridge the gaps between other peoples. Because I have
been fortunate to receive the education, tools and opportunities
to make films, I feel the obligation and honor to not only share
my unique perspective as a Hawaiian/Japanese/Chinese/Filipino/Portuguese/French
filmmaker, but to also share my talents to give voice to those
who want to be heard but lack the resources.."
Screened by NMAI
Image credit:
Leah Kihara - courtesy of the filmmaker
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