Three student films are finalists in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s inaugural Sustainability Media Competition that will be shown this spring. The competition is a collaboration by the UH Mānoa Sustainability Department with the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA).
Launched in 2024, the competition aims to foster creativity and raise environmental awareness by challenging students to create short films centered on sustainability. This year’s focus was on clean energy transformation, inspiring students to explore themes like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation.
The competition ran from October 24 to November 22 giving students a chance to develop their projects into full productions that will premiere in Spring 2025.
Finalists:
“Dear Keiki,”—Ryan Bodine and Hannah Parkus
A young girl, stuck in traffic, daydreams of a renewable energy-powered future. As her pinwheel spins, she envisions wind turbines, solar farms, tidal energy, and wave generators, all contributing to a cleaner world. The dream inspires her to take action for a sustainable future, and she gazes at real wind turbines, feeling hopeful and motivated.
Parkus is a senior majoring in the School of Cinematic Arts with a focus on Digital Cinema. Bodine is a fourth-year Cinematic Arts student.
“Sustain My Life!”—Matthew Iwamasa
In this two-minute fake movie trailer, Dexter Gear, an engineer, is targeted by oil companies after agreeing to help a town transition to clean energy. After a close call with an assassin, Dexter receives a letter from a child he’s helped, inspiring him to face the danger. The trailer ends with Dexter humorously trying to talk his way out of a perilous situation, combining humor and a message about sustainability.
Iwamasa is a freshman in SCA.
“The Clean Energy Prophecy”—Anne Di Martino, Aim Mizobe, Jay Shimabukuro and Brandi W.
In a world once powered by the harmony of four great spirits—Sun, Wind, Tide, and Earth—the Everflowing Breath kept the land thriving. But the Blacken Breath, a dark force of decay, threatened to destroy it. The spirits united to defeat it, restoring balance before fading into legend. Now, centuries later, the Blacken Breath returns, stronger than before. A new hero must rise, wielding the power of the spirits to save the world. Will the Everflowing Breath return, or will darkness consume all?
Di Martino and Shimabukuro are both seniors in UH Mānoa’s SCA Computer Animation program, while Brandi W. is an alumna of the same program.
Participants submitted pitches featuring a written concept description and images illustrating their visual storytelling approach.
A panel of esteemed judges, including professionals from animation, filmmaking and sustainability sectors, evaluated the submissions.
The 2024 judging panel
- Gavin Arucan—is a Filipino and Japanese-American artist from Hawaiʻi. He graduated from UH Mānoa with a BA in animation. Gavin is currently a storyboard artist for the animated shows Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss.
- GB Hajim—For the past 30 years, GB has been producing, directing, shooting, and editing Hawaiian language dramas and educational programs. His directorial feature debut, the animated sci-fi lesbian musical Strange Frame, attracted an all-star team including Tim Curry, Academy Award winner Gary Rizzo and Pink Floyd. His most recent film, the psychological drama steeped in magical realism Mermaids’ Lament was nominated for Best Feature at Dances with Films in Los Angeles and won Best Feature at the UN-sponsored Big Syn Festival in London.
- Philip Johnson—Philip Johnson is a retired professor of Information and Computer Sciences at UH Mānoa. He was an active member of the UH Sustainability Council and has participated in many sustainability initiatives over the past 20 years.
