From the mothers of Hawai'i independent filmmaking to cutting edge artists at the top of their game, REEL WĀHINE OF HAWAI'I is a series of portraits of Hawai'i’s top women filmmakers. The subjects—Connie Florez (indie film producer), Ciara Lacy (Made in Hawaii Grand Jury winner for OUT OF STATE), Jeannette Paulson-Hereniko (producer, THE LAND HAS EYES, and founding director of Hawaii International Film Festival), Victoria Keith (filmmaker and news photographer), THE SAND ISLAND STORY), Anne Misawa (Cinematographer, UH Manoa ACM Professor) Heather Giugni (Producer, FAMILY INGREDIENTS, Founder of 'Ulu'ulu: The Henry Ku'ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawaiʻi)—represent pioneering filmmakers as they recount their role, philosophy, challenges and triumphs in building the Hawai'i film industry and telling unique local stories through a camera lens. This short film series is also is an intergenerational project: a collaboration between young women graduates of Hawai'i Women in Filmmaking's programs and a veteran team of filmmakers, eager to share their experience and expertise. The films will preserve the untold stories of Hawai'i women filmmakers in their own words and in all their diversity to inspire the storytellers and leaders of tomorrow.It features active filmmakers, their personal challenges working in a male dominated industry and focuses on the changing world of media and the role women play in expanding Hawaiʻi’s industry in innovative ways. REEL WĀHINE OF HAWAI'I is produced by Hawai'i Women in Filmmaking a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and distributed by Alexander Street for educational purposes. The directors of the shorts are as follows: CONNIE FLOREZ directed by Leah Kihara; JEANNETTE PAULSON-HERENIKO directed by Vera Zambonelli; VICTORIA KEITH directed by Shirley Thompson; ANNE MISAWA directed by Laurie Sumiye; HEATHER GIUGNI directed by Shirley Thompson; CIARA LACY directed by Heather Giugni.

Prolific Native Hawaiian producer HEATHER HAUNANI GIUGNI (Family Ingredients) left the male-dominated world of television news to start the first woman-owned production company in Hawai‘i. Director/Writer: Shirley Thompson Producers: Shirley Thompson & Vera Zambonelli

Film producer JEANNETTE PAULSON HERENIKO (The Land Has Eyes) transformed the landscape for Hawai‘i-based filmmakers when she founded the Hawai‘i International Film Festival in 1981. Writer/Producer: Vera Zambonelli Producers: Shirley Thompson & Vera Zambonelli

Producer, line producer and location manager CONNIE FLOREZ (Kumu Hina) was an early advocate for queer film in the Islands as the organizer and curator of the Honolulu LGBT Film Festival. Director/Writer: Leah Kihara Producers: Shirley Thompson & Vera Zambonelli

Documentarian and camerawoman VICTORIA KEITH (Sand Island Story) produced and directed dozens of films highlighting Hawaiian culture, and the environmental and sustainability challenges of living on islands. Director/Writer: Shirley Thompson Producers: Shirley Thompson & Vera Zambonelli

Director CIARA LACY (Out of State) is an emerging Native Hawaiian film director and experienced producer whose films reflect her ethos: community-oriented and place-based. Director/Writer: Heather Giugni Producers: Shirley Thompson & Vera Zambonelli

Cinematographer and Director ANNE MISAWA’s work as cinematographer includes the stunning Margarita with a Straw and Treeless Mountain, nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography. Director/Writer: Laurie Sumiye Producers: Shirley Thompson & Vera Zambonelli