Kapaemahu: Animating an Ancient, Sacred Story

The filmmakers have been thrilled with the reception the short has received worldwide. Says Wilson, “One thing we didn’t expect is the way that the film has been embraced by youth. And maybe the greatest reaction was the message we recently received on Facebook from a local viewer: ‘I keep wondering who I’d have been if I’d seen it as a soft little boy at Kailua Elementary. I’m so excited for the kids who get to see it now.’”

Learn The Spiritual Story of “Kapaemahu” – Vying for Annie and Oscar Consideration

Kapaemahu has been making waves across the festival circuit, picking up several major honors. Now this animated short from Hawaii, about four extraordinary mahu and the stones that have honored them for hundreds of years, is vying for Annie and Oscar consideration. Directors Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer have poured themselves into the powerful story and beautiful visuals of Kapaemahu.

A Talk with the Creative Team Behind the Acclaimed Kapaemahu

Sometimes it’s good to revisit your own history. Zippy Frames talks with the creative team behind the acclaimed animation short Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson.

It is one of those animation shorts which bring you back in time, and connect the past with the present. Kapaemahu is co-directed by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson – with Daniel Sousa (Oscar-nominated for Feral) as animation director.

On the (Virtual) Road to Oscar Gold: 2020’s Short Film Contenders

In a year of global tragedy, stress and uncertainty, advanced technology and dedicated cinephiles around the world joined forces to help animation lovers enjoy 2020’s crop of artistic, thought-provoking (or just plain entertaining) films. While most festivals were held online, their Academy Award-qualifying prizewinners have an IRL chance at one of film’s most prestigious animated short honors.

Oscar 2021 Animated Short Film Contenders

In November, before this year’s torrent of animated shorts had settled into a proper Oscar race, we surveyed some of the films that were likely to be competing for a golden statuette. With the qualifying period now over, we can reveal that 96 short films are on the longlist.

The Imagery of Kapaemahu with Animator Daniel Sousa

Literary Joe chats with animation director Daniel Sousa, who helped bring to life Kapaemahu, a new short animation that focuses on inclusion and Hawaiian culture. Sousa is also known for having worked on the Oscar-nominated short Feral in the past, and he brings a great perspective when it comes to animating.

Gender Identity & Hawaiian Culture with Educator & Community Leader Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

Literary Joe – the pen name of Joseph Gharagheer, a writer who publishes articles daily for Best Little Sites on ComicBookMovie, AnimeMojo, GameFragger, Toonado, and TheRingReport – said that this might be one of the most touching chats he’s ever had on this show to date. Hina is an amazing woman and her journey of discovering herself as mahu is something she has explored through documentary filmmaking.

Joe chats with her about her new film Kapaemahu , as well as what the meaning of Mahu is, and dives deep into how Hawaiian culture has been Americanized by the Western World.

Human Rights & Animation with Filmmaker Joe Wilson

A conversation with Kapaemahu producer Joe Wilson, a human rights activist and documentary maker credited with films like Kumu Hina and A Place in the Middle. It’s a touching and informative conversation.

HIFF Filmmaker Q&A, Documentary Sneak Peek, and Kumu Patrick Makuakane’s Oli Honoring Kapaemahu

The Hawai’i International Film Festival offered a post-screening Q&A with Kapaemahu filmmakers Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, hosted by Pacific Islanders in Communications’ Leanne Ferrer. The conversation offered a sneak peek of the upcoming documentary now in-the-works, and kicks-off with a hula and oli by Kumu Patrick Makuakane and Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu in Oakland, CA.