The Vilcek Foundation Announces the 2026 New American Perspectives Program at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF)

The Vilcek Foundation, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF), is set to showcase the 2026 edition of the New American Perspectives (NAP) program, running from October 21 to November 5 on Oʻahu. This initiative honors immigrant filmmakers, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping contemporary American cinema through a blend of film screenings, panel discussions, and educational events.

The 2026 NAP lineup features a diverse group of five foreign-born filmmakers whose works span various genres and themes. Among them is Academy Award® winner Ke Huy Quan, born in Vietnam, who will not only present his new film but also engage audiences through a master class and a book talk centered on his memoir. Alongside Quan, the cohort includes Henry Ian Cusick (Peru), Liz Sargent (South Korea), Alex Tarrant (New Zealand), and Michelle Zhou (China), each contributing unique narratives informed by their cultural backgrounds.

This year’s program notably premieres new works from Cusick and Tarrant in the United States, while Sargent and Zhou are making their feature-length film debuts. The selected films explore a spectrum of stories, from historical wartime heroism to intimate family dramas, reflecting the varied experiences and perspectives that immigrant voices bring to the filmmaking landscape.

A key element of the program is a panel discussion featuring the quartet of guest filmmakers—Cusick, Sargent, Tarrant, and Zhou—who will delve into their creative journeys and discuss how immigrant and Indigenous viewpoints can offer fresh narratives that challenge mainstream film industry conventions. Their insights aim to shed light on the democratization of storytelling in cinema.

Ke Huy Quan, who gained early fame as Short Round in the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, will also host a book talk for his debut memoir, offering reflections on his career trajectory from child actor to behind-the-scenes contributor and his acclaimed comeback performance. Following the book discussion, Quan will lead a master class after a screening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, providing a rare opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the actor’s experience and perspectives.

The films themselves address a range of cultural and social issues. Henry Ian Cusick’s Los Vampires is a meta-horror narrative set against 1930s Hollywood’s Spanish-language film industry, marking its U.S. premiere. Liz Sargent’s Take Me Home, rooted in personal family stories, examines themes of adoption, caregiving, and resilience amid a heat wave crisis. Alex Tarrant stars in Sgt. Haane, a historical drama spotlighting the valor of a Māori soldier during World War II, performed in Te Reo Māori with English subtitles. Michelle Zhou’s Big Little Things explores identity and familial expectations through a Mandarin and Cantonese dialogue, representing her first feature film debut in the U.S.

In addition to screenings, Cusick and Tarrant will participate in HIFF’s Guest Filmmaker Program, which integrates visiting artists into Hawaiʻi’s K-12 educational settings, aiming to inspire youth through direct interaction with international filmmakers.

The Vilcek Foundation’s commitment to recognizing immigrant contributions to the arts is underscored by its continued partnership with HIFF, which has been a prominent platform for Asian and Pacific cinema for decades. HIFF itself is an Academy Awards®-qualifying festival, known for its dedication to elevating Native Hawaiian and Indigenous voices alongside immigrant stories.

This year’s NAP program not only amplifies the narratives of immigrant filmmakers but also situates their work within broader conversations about diversity and inclusion in the cinematic arts. By facilitating dialogue through panels, book talks, and master classes, the program fosters a deeper understanding of how varied cultural experiences enrich American storytelling.

While the full impact of these films and events will unfold during the festival, the 2026 New American Perspectives program stands as a significant celebration of the creative talents and cultural insights that immigrant filmmakers bring to the U.S. film industry, reinforcing the importance of diversity as a dynamic force in contemporary cinema.