Ohina Short Film Showcase

After a four-year hiatus, the Ohina Short Film Showcase returns this month, featuring seven short films, each 30 minutes or less, either filmed in Hawaii or filmed by Hawaii residents.

I had a chance to help judge the more-than 20 submissions. The winning films will be a treat to watch. They include the comedy of Lychee Thieves (pictured above) and Ajumma! Are you Krazy? (the latter about fanatical fans of Korean dramas); the tough noir of The Branch Will Not Break and even the post-apocalyptic sci-fi action of Voices of the Dust.

The festival is on Friday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 14, at 1 and 7 p.m., Doris Duke Theatre, The Honolulu Academy of Arts, 532-8700. Also, catch the films Sep. 18, at the Big Island’s Aloha Theatre. For more information, visit ohina.org.    ­