Wailuku Film Festival opens with sold-out screenings and expanded lineup

The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival runs June 17-21 in historic Wailuku Town on Maui, featuring more than 100 films from 15 countries and Indigenous nations. Organizers added an encore screening of sold-out SURFILMUSIC and a special showing of Lāhainā Rising as ticket demand surged ahead of opening week.

Why it matters: - The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival is designed to turn historic Wailuku Town into a new cultural hub for Maui. - The event is meant to draw residents, filmmakers, and visitors while supporting local businesses and creative voices. - More than 100 films from 15 countries and Indigenous nations are on the program, giving the festival international reach in its first year.

What happened: - The festival runs June 17-21 across venues in Wailuku Town. - The closing Best of Fest Showcase is set for Sunday, June 21, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. - SURFILMUSIC sold out before opening night and is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at ʻĪao Theater. - Organizers added an encore screening of SURFILMUSIC to the Best of Fest Showcase on Sunday, June 21, at 6 p.m. - Lāhainā Rising will screen at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at the MACC, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers in the Yokouchi Courtyard.

The details: - SURFILMUSIC follows Jack Johnson’s path from North Shore surf filmmaker to global music icon. - The festival named SURFILMUSIC the Audience Choice Winner for Best Watersports Feature Film. - Lāhainā Rising received a Special Jury Award. - The lineup includes Hawaiʻi-made features, Indigenous stories, watersports films, student productions, documentaries, narratives, animation, and international selections. - Festival organizers say the event is intended to create a place where artists and audiences can connect. - The festival is led by the Maui Film Office and the County of Maui. - The full schedule and tickets are available here.

Between the lines: - Strong advance sales and the added encore screening suggest demand has outpaced early capacity for the most anticipated films. - The festival’s emphasis on local stories and Indigenous work signals a strategy to make the event feel rooted in Maui, not just imported to Maui. - Brian Kohne said the festival would not have been possible without support from the County of Maui, including the Bisson administration and Council members.

What's next: - Several screenings are already approaching capacity, so organizers are urging attendees to buy tickets as soon as possible. - The festival is planned to return annually in historic Wailuku Town. - The Best of Fest Showcase will cap the opening week on June 21 at the MACC.

The bottom line: - Wailuku Film Festival is launching with sold-out momentum, a broad international lineup, and a clear push to build a lasting arts tradition on Maui.