Support HIFF this holiday season by making a donation of any amount. If you donate $120+, you'll qualify for a copy of the "When Strangers Meet" book.

Books are available for pickup at da Shop until Dec. 21 or shipping is available.

HIFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

About "When Strangers Meet"

HIFF started as a project of the East-West Center, an educational and research institution created by U.S. Congress and located on the University of Hawai’i Manoa campus in Honolulu. Jeannette Paulson Hereniko was HIFF’s Founding Director, from 1981 to 1996. In 1981, HIFF’s inaugural year, the program consisted of seven films from six countries which were viewed by an audience of 5,000.

Celebrate 45 years of cinematic discovery with When Strangers Meet: 45 Years of the Hawai‘i International Film Festival—an exclusive commemorative book created especially for HIFF45. This beautifully designed volume brings together personal essays from the Festival’s extended ‘ohana, including former staff, filmmakers, audience members, and distinguished guests. Each contribution captures a unique year in HIFF’s history, offering intimate reflections, behind-the-scenes memories, and the evolving spirit of the Festival.

Richly illustrated with rare photographs, archival materials, and HIFF ephemera, this limited-edition compendium serves as both a keepsake and a vivid historical record. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a new fan, When Strangers Meet is a tribute to the people, stories, and moments that shaped four and a half decades of cinema in Hawai‘i.

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HIFF45 Holiday Book Promo

Donate $120 to receive a copy of the HIFF "When Strangers Meet" Book