HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Queen’s Flowers is a touching and visually stunning animated short film written and directed by Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy, a local filmmaker. The short animation has become an Oscar qualifying film thanks to its impressive wins which include the prestigious Made in Hawaiʻi Jury Award and Audience Award for Best Short at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF). These Oscar qualification marks a momentous achievement for Lacy and her creative team. "It's been an incredible journey to realize that a small, community-driven film like The Queen’s Flowers can find its way to potentially share our Queen's legacy on one of the biggest platforms in the world," Lacy said as she reflected on the surreal nature of the film’s success. “This project, which was born from a simple, heartfelt story, has become something so much bigger than I ever imagined.” The film’s heartwarming narrative takes viewers back to 1915 Honolulu where a young Native Hawaiian girl named Emma embarks on a quest to create a special gift for Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last monarch. It’s a tale deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian culture and history and captures the beauty of tradition, the significance of the lei and the enduring legacy of Hawaiʻi's beloved queen. A story that blossomed from oral tradition The seeds for The Queen’s Flowers were planted by producer, Concepcion Saucedo-Trejo, who learned the story from her kumu hula who shared a beloved family story. According to Lacy, the story's charm lies in its simplicity and the gentle curiosity it evokes: "Many years ago, Kumu Mālia Helelā and her family learned that their tutu [grandmother], Emma Pollack, had attended school at the Priory at the same time that Queen Liliʻuokalani lived next door at Washington Place." Lacy continued, “When they asked Tutu if she had ever met the Queen, she said, ‘I used to steal her flowers.’ And that was it! I was hooked. Why would a little girl steal flowers from a queen?” The answer, it turns out, was simple yet poignant: the girls had no flowers to offer Queen Liliʻuokalani when she came to visit. In Native Hawaiian tradition, when a monarch or esteemed guest visits, it is customary to present them with a lei. With no flowers of their own, the young girls would sneak into the queen's beautiful gardens to pick her blossoms to offer them as gifts of appreciation and respect. This charming and cheeky act of defiance sparked Lacy’s imagination and led to the creation of The Queen’s Flowers. Animation as a tool for cultural preservation Lacy, whose filmmaking journey began in music videos before expanding into documentaries and feature films, embraced animation for the first time with this project. “Animation allowed us to bring this story to life in a way that’s both visually enchanting and profoundly meaningful," she explained. "It’s a medium that can reach people of all ages and backgrounds which makes it the perfect vehicle for telling a Native Hawaiian story that’s as much about our history as it is about our future.” The film’s creative team includes Daniel Sousa, an Oscar-nominated director of animation known for his work on Feral and Kapaemahu. He and Lacy collaborated closely to create a visual style that honors both the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s natural landscape and the cultural richness of the story. “We wanted to create a world that felt bright and full of life," Sousa said. "I’ve often worked on darker, grittier projects, but here we were building a sweet, colorful world that would resonate with young audiences.” The film's color palette, infused with the vibrant purples and lavenders of the crown flowers traditionally used in leis, captures the essence of Hawaiʻi's beauty. The artistic choices emphasize the story’s themes of connection, respect and the delicate relationship between nature and culture. A grassroots Oscar campaign After qualifying for Oscar consideration with a win at HIFF, The Queen’s Flowers has embarked on a grassroots Oscar campaign, a journey that has been both thrilling and challenging for Lacy and her small, tight-knit team. “We’re figuring this out as we go,” Lacy admitted. “It’s been a scrappy, community-driven campaign. But what’s been so amazing is the support we’ve received from our Hawaiʻi community. People are genuinely excited about this film, and that makes all the effort worth it.” The Oscar campaign includes outreach to Academy voters, social media promotion and press outreach, with Lacy and her team working to keep the film in front of the right people. Despite the challenge of competing in a crowded field of films, Lacy’s determination and deep respect for the subject matter have made The Queen’s Flowers stand out. “There’s no reason not to do it,” Lacy said of submitting to the Academy. “The Academy works hard to create an even playing field for smaller films, and that means a lot to us.” Though the costs of the campaign -- ads, press outreach and voter engagement -- can be high, Lacy emphasized that any form of support, whether financial or through word-of-mouth promotion, is appreciated. “Even just sharing our story on social media counts. It all helps,” she said. “And we’re so grateful for any support that comes our way.” A global reception The Queen’s Flowers has earned a warm reception on the film festival circuit as it continues to win numerous awards and accolades along its way. Some of its major honors include the Audience Award Grand Prize Short Film at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, Jury Special Recognition at the VC Film Festival, and Best Animated Short at the Atlanta Children’s Film Festival. Lacy has been humbled by the global response. “Seeing how audiences around the world have embraced The Queen’s Flowers has been incredibly moving,” she said. “We’re humbled by the heartfelt response and grateful to everyone who has joined us on Emma's journey to celebrate our heritage and the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.” The film’s success has brought attention to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Hawaiʻi. As Lacy noted, The Queen’s Flowers offers more than just a delightful, animated story. It’s an opportunity to introduce audiences worldwide to the legacy of Hawaiʻi’s last monarch and the enduring spirit of its people. “We hope that this film not only connects people to Hawaiʻi’s traditions but also fosters a broader respect for diverse cultural histories,” Lacy explained. A step toward global recognition With the film now in the Oscar race, Lacy and her team are focused on reaching the animation branch of the Academy to secure a spot on the short list. "After the first phase of voting in early December, the pool gets smaller and smaller; but we’re hopeful,” Lacy said. "It’s a long journey, but we’re excited to see where it leads. I never imagined that something so small, so rooted in our community, could have this kind of impact." Whether or not The Queen’s Flowers receives a nomination, its journey to the Academy Awards is already a victory for Lacy and for Hawaiʻi. “This is a story that belongs to our people,” she said. “It’s an honor to share it with the world, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to do so.” As The Queen’s Flowers continues to captivate audiences and earn accolades, it serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling, both to preserve culture and to inspire future generations. To find out how you can help this team make their dream come true, click here. This link also allows you to find out when the next screenings are and where you can find them. You can also follow the team on Instagram or email queries to [email protected] Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 The film's Oscar qualification is just one chapter in a larger narrative that honors the past while looking toward a future where stories like Emma's can take center stage on the global screen.