Every year, the animated shorts at the Tribeca Film Festival are a staple and a must-see experience. With the postponement of the festival this year due to the global pandemic, I found a sadness that at, least for now, the animated shorts showcase would be put on pause.

Yet, as we all must evolve during this time, so too did Tribeca to meet the challenge. Releasing a plethora of their intended festival content online, Tribeca has lived up to the classic Hollywood mantra – “The show must go on.”

Receiving a special jury mention at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, Kapaemahu is the latest film to highlight the culture and history of the Pacific. Much like Moana before, Kapaemahu brings to light a lost and forgotten story of a people who were bestowed a true gift that has become mostly lost with time. With Kapaemahu, the history finds a new audience and a new light.

According to legend, four mahu (third-gender individuals) traveled to Hawaii from Tahiti, bringing healing powers to the people on Waikiki Beach. As their healing powers transformed a community, the people of Waikiki did not want the mahu to leave them. During a ritual, the mahu embed their powers into four stones on the beach, disappearing after the transfer was complete. For centuries after, the stones were regarded as sacred, many leaving gifts of thanks and appreciation. Though as with many things throughout history, the stones became lost to time. Their legend lost to the ears of those who might listen.

With the arrival of the missionaries, the sacred stones become merely that – stones. As cities arose around them, the stones sunk away until they were finally removed from the sand in 1997 and placed on platform for perseverance. While the legend may be just that, the mahu powers within wait patiently for those who may be enlightened – for those who may see the healing powers they represent and contain.

Kapaemahu is a fascinating short film, one that I desired more information about at its conclusion. This is no Moana, but rather its own doctrine into cinema, a medium that is truly starting to tell the stories of the world for the masses.

Full article and all films reviewed HERE.