Pacific Island Times October 2019 Vol 3 No. 10

Brief Chat I n the digital age, with technology being more accessible, making a film seems so much easier. Today more and more aspiring filmmakers try to make it big by submitting entries to international film festivals. As You- Tube essayists claim, “Any loser with a camera-phone can make a film.” Yet, filmmaking is not a one-man piece of art. Although Sean Baker’s Tanger- ine and Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane prove that iPhones can create com- pelling stories, their success is due to experience and team effort. While Guam’s movie industry may be in its nascent stage, Kel and Don Muna have successfully built a community for locals interested in filmmaking. Through the Guam Inter- national Film Festival — their passion project — local and international filmmakers tell their stories. Kel Muna on GIFF’s 9th year ‘It’s the focus on quality, genuine intent and interaction that’ll keep things moving’ “It’s GIFF’s ninth year, can you be- lieve it? As a film fanatic myself, I al- ways look forward to sharing some of the world’s most compelling indepen- dent films and stories with my island home,” Kel said. “I can talk about films all day, but I love when it I see the GIFF audiences resonate with new films that they never would’ve had the chance to see on Guam otherwise. Overall, I’m still looking forward to the films, the visiting international filmmakers and the festival discussion panels. Second, I’m happy that Guam will be hosting several international award-winning filmmakers during the festival. For most, it will be their first time on Guam, and for others, they’ll be making a return trip for GIFF, which says a lot about our island hos- pitality and us as a people. Of course, I’m looking forward to the opening night with our visiting filmmaker from Taiwan showcasing his romantic com- edy, The Plastic Bags.” reputable film festivals with partner- ships from Academy Award qualifying festivals and top tier festivals in the region, such as the Busan International Film Festival. I’m still a bit thrown aback when I hear GIFF mentioned in other countries.” Of course, starting a festival is not easy. Because the Muna Brothers were one of the pioneers of the indie film industry on Guam, they had to carve their own path. “Before GIFF, there were no resources for film here at home,” Kel said. “Where there was once no dialogue of Guam in the international film circuit, it has now become one of Pacific Asia’s most The Muna Brothers are still figuring out how to promote their platform, which is now marking its ninth year. “GIFF has come quite a long way since our early years,” Kel said. “We’ve focused on the notion that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. It’s the focus on quality, genuine in- tent and interaction that’ll keep things moving. In terms of local filmmakers, 6 By Johana Salinas GIFF is open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of October at the Guam Museum. Tickets, passes, showtimes and complete festival information is available at guamfilmfestival.org. Panel discussion, which is open to the public, will be held on Oct. 13 at 2:40 p.m. at the Guam Museum. It will be recorded for broadcast by PBS Guam, KGTF Channel 12. both locally and in the region, they’ve have evolved to the next level. I’m seeing a much more intricate dedica- tion to the craft of filmmaking and the global reach of our talent here at home via GIFF is serving its purpose of why it was started in the first place.” Some may find it unlikely for a film industry to exist in the Pacific islands region, faraway from glamorous Hol- lywood or cosmopolitan New York. That could have been said about New Zealand in the 1970s. Yet, the Pacif- ic nation experienced international breakthroughs in the 90s with Peter Jackson and in the 2000s with the Maori, Taika Waititi. GIFF may not be ready for the same renown as New Zealand; however, it is not impossible. “When I first started as an independent filmmaker 10 years ago, I didn’t know the path that was laid out before me, I just followed by passion for better or worse, with whatever little resources I had at the time,” Kel said. “It’s been unpredictably wild. Now, I’ve evolved into an educator, a mentor, an author- ity and representative of the business and craft of filmmaking. But please, let me be clear - I couldn’t have fol- lowed my passion or creative journey as long as I have without the strong support of my family, friends, new mentors and the fantastic volunteers over the years.” As they continue to craft stories about Guam and Chamoru people, the brothers know to give back to the island. With community workshops and outreach programs, the Muna Brothers try to inspire and support others to create films. “The opportuni- ties at GIFF are made for Guam, so be sure to take advantage of them. This year, we are dedicating a filmmaker forum featuring an esteemed panel of international filmmakers who have made impactful careers on this very topic,” Kel said. “They have built their life’s work around understanding and perpetuating cultural awareness for others and for themselves.” The Muna Brothers have great expectations for the upcoming GIFF. “The programming has been meticu- lously structured around our audience feedback that we receive each year. We’re extremely grateful for the support that we’ve received from our volunteers, the people of Guam and our island’s community and business leaders for helping us make the event possible for a ninth consecutive year,” Kel said.

Pacific Island Times October 2019 Vol 3 No. 10 | Page 6