PRESS RELEASE
The 2nd Cinema at Sea – Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival will take place from February 22 to March 2 2025, across multiple locations in Okinawa including Tenbusu Naha - Tenbusu Hall, Sakurazaka Theatre and Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum. All tickets go on sale on 23 Jan 2025.
With an expanded 9-day program, this year’s festival promises a greater celebration of cinema, featuring a wide range of events, including a pitching forum and panel discussions designed to connect local filmmakers with international industry professionals.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the 2025 festival will showcase a significantly expanded lineup of programs, introducing exciting new sections that underscore its mission to support regional cinema and the local film industry, including Director in Focus, Pacific Film Showcase, Special Screenings, the Mabui Special Award, and, most notably, Okinawa Panorama, which will showcase a diverse selection of both classic and contemporary films made or connected with Okinawa including overseas diaspora. For the first time, the festival will introduce a short film category to the Pacific Film Competition, highlighting outstanding feature and short films from across the Pacific region.
Another key highlight is the launch of Islands in Focus, a new section dedicated to showcase the work of one specific Pacific island region. This program provides a global platform for these creators while raising international awareness of their unique perspectives and stories.
Opening Film is the World Premiere of the documentary Ocean Elegy: The Tragedies of Mudan and Ryukyu, using archival materials, interviews and reenactments, to uncovers the 1870s Mudan Incident. Directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Sean Hu (胡皓翔), the project took seven years to complete.
In 1871, a ship traveling from Miyako Island to Shuri to deliver annual tribute was caught in a storm and drifted to southern Taiwan. Onboard were 69 Ryukyuan passengers who reached an area inhabited by the Paiwan people. However, some Ryukyuans were killed in a tragic incident that later became known as the Mudan Incident. This event was used as a pretext for Japan’s invasion of Taiwan (the 1874 Taiwan Expedition) and also influenced Japan’s annexation of Ryukyu, significantly shaping the geopolitical landscape of East Asia.
Tinā is a deeply moving and uplifting story of resilience, healing, and transformation. Mareta, a grieving mother devastated by the loss of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquake, reluctantly takes on a position as a substitute music teacher at an elite private school. Despite her initial hesitation, Mareta forges meaningful connections with her students, empowering them through the unifying power of music and the rich traditions of her Samoan culture. Together, they navigate challenges, inspiring one another and rekindling Mareta’s sense of purpose, hope, and identity.
Directed by award-winning writer/director Miki Magasiva (We Are Still Here, 2022), Tinā had its successful world premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival and is now set to make its Asia premiere in Okinawa. This feature marks Magasiva’s directorial debut and has been warmly received at festivals worldwide, including Palm Springs (USA) and Perth (Australia). With Samoan actor Anapela Polata’ivao (One Thousand Ropes, 2017; The Breaker Upperers, 2018) delivers a powerful performance as Mareta Percival, bringing depth and authenticity to the role.
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