‘OHINA debuted in 1999 to support independent filmmakers and give them an opportunity to exhibit their films to the community through a short film showcase. The Hawaiian term for "gathering" or "collecting , ‘OHINA has grown through the years into a media pipeline.
Today, ‘OHINA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping emerging filmmakers and storytellers bring their cinematic visions to the screen through the ‘OHINA LABS mentorship program, ‘OHINA SHOWCASE, and ‘OHINA FILMS.
LABS — our O‘ahu-based filmmakers’ workshop — starts at the story level, pairing short scripts from promising voices and visionaries with a who’s who from the industry as guest mentors, and providing opportunities for program fellows to pitch why their project is ready for a greenlight.
Projects emerging from LABS and through ‘OHINA educational partnerships may be produced with support from the FILMS team, and/or become a part of our popular SHOWCASE screening events. Our primary focus: stories and people with a connection to Hawai‘i (current or former residents) and a project that can be filmed in the islands. All genres welcome.
The ʻOHINA SHOWCASE is an annual event that brings local short films to theaters to celebrate local talent and stories with the community. Among the lineup, SHOWCASE screens recently completed films from the LABS program — including ʻOHINA Greenlight Award-winning projects — as well as works in progress and more. Presentations are held regularly on Oʻahu, and SHOWCASE has also traveled to Maui, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island to bring maximum exposure for these films throughout the greater Hawaiʻi community.
SAVE THE DATE FOR SHOWCASE 2025!
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
at Consolidated Theatres Ward
with TITAN LUXE in Kakaʻako
Check back for film lineup and ticketing information.
For more information, email info@ohina.com
or follow us @ohinashowcase
In 2017, ‘OHINA launched its inaugural filmmakers lab with guest mentor Joe Robert Cole (co-screenwriter, Marvel Studio’s Black Panther), offering a free development hub for short film projects starting with the script. Current and former residents of Hawaiʻi have the opportunity to submit their short screenplays to be workshopped with leading creative minds in the entertainment industry, following a competitive review process. Out of each cohort, one ‘OHINA Labs Fellow will receive the ‘OHINA Greenlight Award — granting them funding and production support towards the script becoming a completed short film.
CALLING FILMAKERS AND STORYTELLERS!
LABS 2025 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS JUNE 23 – AUGUST 11
Apply via FilmFreeway
‘Ohina Films is a local collective of producers, directors, crew members, and creative talent on-island to help short film concepts that have been created and written during the ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab intensive. ‘Ohina Films is responsible for bringing to fruition the ‘Ohina Greenlight Award-winning film and moving it through the short film festival circuit.
