Filmmakers to Attend HIFF Screenings Today

Filmmakers for "Upstream Battle," "Good Cats" and "Metal Samurai" will attend screenings today of their movies at this year's Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival. All films are being shown at the Regal Stadium 18 Cinemas at Dole Cannery. "Upstream Battle" screens at 6:45 p.m. Director Ben Kempas will be in attendance. The film follows the struggles of Native Americans in Northern California as they fight for their salmon and the survival of their culture. Their battle with a giant energy corporation, which praises hydroelectric power as climate-friendly electricity, could trigger the largest dam removal project in the world. "Good Cats" screens at 8:30 p.m. Director Ying Liang will be in the audience. The film gets its name from reformist politician Deng Xiaoping, who said the color of a cat doesn't matter... [read full story]