As June’s Pride Month blossoms across O‘ahu, the 36th Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (HRFF36) takes the stage from June 27–29 at the Doris Duke Theatre in the Honolulu Museum of Art. This year’s theme, “Kīpuka: From Ashes to Expression,” pays homage to the quiet, enduring resurgence of LGBTQIA+ communities—akin to native plants flourishing anew after volcanic flows.
🎥 A Curated Celebration of Identity & Storytelling
HRFF36 is among the nation’s longest-running queer cinema showcases. With screenings of international features, Hawaii-originated shorts, and dynamic films from the Asia-Pacific region, the festival remains a bridge between diverse cultures and queer narratives
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The lineup is thoughtfully arranged:
Opening Night Reception (June 27, 5 pm) opens with light live entertainment and mingling on the HoMA grounds, followed by Heightened Scutiny—a moving documentary on ACLU attorney Chase Strangio’s fight against bans on gender-affirming care.
Highlights include Paradise of Thorns and Sisters on June 28, and impactful shorts like GiGi, First Comes Love, and The 7th Moon, representing voices from Hawai‘i and beyond.
The festival concludes June 29 with a final feature, Riley, and a red carpet closing party with live performances and community celebration.
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✨ Why It Resonates Now
“Kīpuka” symbolizes island regrowth after devastation—mirroring how queer communities persist and express resilience amid challenges. Through cinematic storytelling, HRFF36 celebrates how LGBTQIA+ lives and identities thrive and inspire despite adversity.
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The mix of local and international films fosters reflection on identity, heritage, justice, and creativity. Community gatherings at opening and closing nights reforge bonds—reminding attendees that shared stories are acts of cultural reclamation.
🎭 Audience & Community Impact
Festival director Brent Anbe notes that HRFF is known for bridging Hawai‘i with international queer voices and has grown into a deeply cherished, inclusive cultural time capsule.
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The inclusive vibe extends from youth and kūpuna to aloha-drenched VIP nights. Students, kūpuna, and full VIP passes ($100), as well as affordable individual screening tickets ($15) and early access bundles, ensure all who wish to participate can do so.
📅 Festival Schedule at a Glance
Date Event Highlights
June 27 (Fri) Opening Night Reception & Screening Heightened Scrutiny, live food, and on-site entertainment
June 28 (Sat) Feature & Short Film Programs Paradise of Thorns, Queens of the Dead, and more .
June 29 (Sun) Final Screenings & Closing Party Riley concludes the weekend, followed by red-carpet festivity .
🌺 A Festival of Growth and Pride
For locals and visitors alike, HRFF36 isn’t just a set of film screenings—it’s a visual tapestry of resilience, community, and hope. From heritage-lensed shorts to international queer narratives, the festival captures the essence of turning hardship into art—and isolation into kinship.
This Pride Month, immerse yourself in a festival where personal stories become collective landmarks. Whether you’re moved by The 7th Moon, inspired by Heightened Scrutiny, or dancing at the closing party, the message is clear: in every kīpuka, there’s fertile ground for new beginnings.