HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) kicked off on Oct. 2, bringing together filmmakers and movie lovers from around the world. Amongst the key behind the scenes players at this year’s festival is Liz Boylan, the communications and grants officer for the Vilcek Foundation. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Vilcek Foundation is a nonprofit based in New York, and it has partnered with HIFF since 2007 to present a program called "New American Perspectives". in order to showcase immigrant filmmakers and their stories. Rick Kinsel is the current President of the Vilcek Foundation. Boylan took a moment to explain the foundation's mission. “The Vilcek Foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, with the vision to support immigrant artists and scientists throughout the United States,” said Boylan. She shared that both founders of the organization immigrated to the United States in 1964 and wanted to give back to other immigrant artists and scientists who shaped their experiences. The "New American Perspectives" program offers a platform for these filmmakers by providing support and resources for them to showcase their work at the festival. “This program is a way for us to center immigrant voices and experiences,” Boylan noted. “The stories they tell come alive through both documentary and narrative films.” This year, six filmmakers are part of the New American Perspectives cohort, and their work will be featured at this year's HIFF. The filmmakers include Academy Award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins, along with his partner James Ellis Deakins, who will present their film Blade Runner 2049 on Saturday evening, Oct. 5. Filipina filmmaker Ramona Diaz brought her latest documentary, And So It Begins, to the festival, and she will participate in a screening on Sunday evening, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 8. Boylan expressed excitement about the range of stories being told by New Zealand filmmaker, Sasha Rainbow. “We are delighted to host Rainbow, a New Zealand-born filmmaker whose first full-length feature will be screened next weekend on Oct. 12 and 13," said Boylan. "It’s a darkly funny body horror film.” Another filmmaker featured this year is Van Tran Nguyen, who directed, wrote, and stars in The Mother Lode. This film explores the relationship between a Vietnamese American mother and daughter as they navigate their lives between the U.S. and Vietnam. Boylan emphasized the importance of these stories, saying, “They show the complexities of immigrant experiences through the lens of family and culture.” Kenji Tsukamoto, a Japanese American filmmaker, will also be featured with his documentary Oshima, focusing on Ashima Shiraishi, a young Japanese American rock climber. “Her story highlights the experiences of children of immigrant parents in sports and family life,” Boylan added. As the festival progresses, Boylan's enthusiasm about being in Hawaii is palpable. “I am very grateful to be here for the film festival. It’s a pleasure to support immigrant stories in a place that has been shaped by migration,” she said. She believes that HIFF's dedication to independent and indigenous filmmakers aligns perfectly with the Vilcek Foundation’s mission. The partnership between the Vilcek Foundation and HIFF has evolved since it first began. Boylan noted that when they started the program in 2007, it was called "American Immigrant Filmmakers on Profile." In 2019, they renamed it "New American Perspectives" to better reflect the variety of artists they aimed to support. “We’ve been able to support 86 filmmakers since we began this journey,” Boylan shared. “We help filmmakers at all stages of their careers, from those bringing their first short films to seasoned artists like Roger Deakins.” When asked about her favorite part of visiting Hawaii for the festival, Boylan said, “Seeing the community is truly special. There’s a recognition and valuation of diversity here that aligns with the Vilcek Foundation’s values.” She appreciates how different organizations in Hawaiʻi focus on community experiences and how they uplift individual stories. Boylan concluded, “It’s incredibly gratifying to celebrate immigrant filmmakers here, especially seeing their careers grow from this festival. It inspires me every time I come.” You can click here to see HIFF"s full schedule for the 2024 festival as well as tickets and festival passes. You can click here to learn more about the Vilcek Foundation. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 With engaging films and important conversations planned, the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival promises to be an enriching experience for all who attend. As audiences watch these films, they can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience through the art of cinema.