Wailuku Film Festival sets return for June 2027 with six categories

The Wailuku Film Festival will return to historic Wailuku Town in mid-June 2027, with early bird submissions opening October 8, 2026. The second edition adds Animation and Ocean Conservation as the festival looks to grow Maui’s role as a Pacific hub for independent film, surf culture and Indigenous storytelling.

Why it matters: - The Wailuku Film Festival is trying to turn historic Wailuku Town into a year-round destination for independent cinema and cultural exchange. - The festival’s growth could deepen Maui’s creative economy by drawing filmmakers, audiences and industry professionals to the island. - The expanded lineup gives Hawaiʻi, Indigenous, surf and ocean-focused storytellers more room on a festival stage built around local identity and global reach.

What happened: - The Wailuku Film Festival announced its return for mid-June 2027 in historic Wailuku Town, Maui. - Early bird submissions opened October 8, 2026. - The festival will return for its second year under the theme “Where Stories Gather.” - The event is an initiative of the Maui Film Office and is supported by the County of Maui.

The details: - The 2027 festival will feature six film categories. - The returning categories are Hawaiʻi, Indigenous Voices, Watersports and Student Films. - The new categories are Animation and Ocean Conservation. - Filmmakers can submit through FilmFreeway. - Discounted early bird submissions run through January 1, 2027. - Regular submissions begin January 1, 2027. - Late submissions run from March 1 to April 1, 2027. - The final general submission deadline is April 1, 2027. - The student film submission deadline is May 1, 2027. - High school and college filmmakers have an extended deadline through May 1. - Juried and audience awards will recognize narrative, documentary, feature-length and short-form storytelling. - The festival website is the official festival site.

Between the lines: - The festival is positioning itself as more than a screening event by tying films to workshops, panels, filmmaker conversations and cultural gatherings. - Watersports remains a signature category, reflecting Hawaiʻi’s surf heritage and the global draw of ocean storytelling. - The addition of Animation and Ocean Conservation suggests WFF is broadening its appeal while staying rooted in Pacific themes. - Festival Director Brian Kohne, who is also Maui’s Film Commissioner and an assistant professor at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, said the first year exceeded expectations and helped local small businesses. - Kohne said the festival plans to expand participation in 2027 and build more partnerships with sponsors, supporters and filmmakers. - Kohne also said the Student category and the college’s Creative Media program are part of building an independent film industry rooted in Hawaiʻi. - The inaugural 2026 festival drew more than 5,300 attendees, screened more than 100 films and generated more than 12.5 million media impressions. - The first festival included more than 55 Hawaiʻi-produced films and more than 30 student films from 15 countries and Indigenous Nations. - Multiple screenings at the historic ʻĪao Theater sold out.

What's next: - Submissions continue through spring 2027, with student deadlines extending to May 1. - The second annual festival is scheduled for mid-June 2027 in historic Wailuku Town. - Organizers are aiming to grow sponsorships, participation and community partnerships ahead of the event. - The festival will continue using screenings, educational programs and industry engagement to build its audience and creative network.

The bottom line: - Wailuku Film Festival is moving from a successful debut to a broader second act, with more categories and a clearer pitch: Maui as a Pacific center for independent film.