The 13th annual Maui Film Festival rolls out Wednesday at the Celestial Cinema in Wailea and in the Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.
Of course, the culinary extravaganzas will be larger than life, big on fun. Capische? at Hotel Wailea will be first up to bat with its Opening Twilight Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"There will be five parties that people may buy tickets to as well as two VIP parties," says festival founder and director Barry Rivers. "Each of the tickets also includes your admission to the Celestial Cinema's movie features."
Article Photos
Ladies enjoy the chocolate fountain at Capische? This year’s opening party on Wednesday includes admission to the Celestial Cinema, where a tribute to actor Josh Radner will precede “Liberal Arts” and other movies.
Photo courtesy of MAUI FILM FESTIVAL
The 2012 Maui Film Festival at Wailea will run nightly from Wednesday through June 17, Father's Day. Since its inception, it has screened more than 500 top films from around the world.
"At Capische?, owner Brian Etheredge and his staff have it all going on," Rivers says. "The Hollywood Reporter has once again chosen to sponsor it."
We hear that Etheredge and Chris Kulis, both chefs, are excited to be serving new dishes highlighting ingredients grown in their new garden located on property at the Hotel Wailea.
"Our chefs will have live action stations beginning with a crudo bar, where you can enjoy Kona lobster and dungeness crab salad, Molokai shrimp cocktail, and refreshing compressed watermelon salad," says General Manager Elizabeth Belbot.
There will be a pasta station serving up crispy duck raviolis as well as truffle and porcini mushroom tortellinis. But you must try the crowd favorite of crispy pork belly, candied turnips, fried carrots and honey ice cream.
"Mixologists will delight your senses with the Ocean Blue Martini, a combination of flavors of Luxardo cherries, blueberries and Ocean Vodka. Live music will be featured in the center of the garden with a panoramic view like no other," says Belbot.
Lily Meola will perform with pianist Mark Johnstone at Capische? She will also play at the Celestial Cinema with a four-piece band that includes Bob Rock, who is the producer of star Michael Buble.
"Lily Meola is on the cusp of great things," says Rivers. "She'll be entertaining us with music from her album."
Other culinary events as part of the Maui Film Festival at Wailea will include the Taste of Chocolate from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 15 on the Ocean Terrace Lawn of the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea.
"This is at least the 10th year that Four Seasons has been gracious to host this event," says Rivers. "It's a lovely, under the stars kind of evening with incredible tastes of chocolate and libations. Variety will sponsor this year's event."
Other food events include the filmmaker brunch at Longhi's and Taste of Wailea, both on Saturday, June 16; and the Starry Night Moondance at Mulligan's on the Blue on Sunday, June 17. VIP parties by invitation only will be at Mala Wailea and Spago. For more information, call 579-9244 or visit www.mauifilmfestival.com.
