Here are some choice picks from among today’s HIFF events. For a full schedule and ticket information, visit www.hiff.org.
"Business of Acting: The Inside Scoop on Casting": Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists presents a panel of industry professionals who will provide tips for landing roles. Panelists: Rene Haynes, Emmy-nominated casting director for the TNT/DreamWorks miniseries "Into the West" and the HBO feature "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"; Ren Hanami, whose acting credits include "Air Force One," "ER" and "Grey’s Anatomy"; DeLanna Studi, who starred in the Hallmark/ ABC miniseries "Dreamkeeper"; Hawaii-born actress Kelly Hu; and Keo Woolford, director of "The Haumana." 4 p.m. at The Modern Honolulu, Waikiki; free
"Night on the Galactic Railroad": The remastered version of the classic 1985 anime from famed master animator Gisaburo Sugii about a boy named Giovanni who must work to keep food on the table while caring for his ailing mother. On the night of the Festival of the Stars, Giovanni and his friend Campanella find themselves aboard the Galactic Railroad, a phantom train that takes them to places they never dreamed existed. In Japanese with English subtitles.Hawaii premiere, 1 p.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Sand Wars": Sand has become the most widely consumed natural resource on the planet after fresh water. This documentary by Denis Delestrac tracks contractors, sand smugglers and unscrupulous property developers around the world and introduces the environmentalists and local populations struggling to reverse the threat to the future of this resource often taken for granted. In French with English subtitles. Hawaii premiere, 1:30 p.m. today at Koko Marina 8 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"The Last Supper": During the gap between the Chu and Han dynasties, two men of guile and idealism (Liu Ye and Chang Chen) move up the ranks and end up squaring off against the charismatic Duke Xiang Yu (Hong Kong superstar Daniel Wu), and against each other in a struggle between ambition and friendship. Directed by Lu Chuan. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Hawaii premiere, 1:30 p.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Thy Womb": Shaleha (Nora Aunor), a Muslim woman on the southern Philippines island of Tawi-Tawi who is unable to have children, resolves to find a second wife for her husband. She and her husband sail to islands, floating villages and nearby communities in search of a fertile woman. But on the eve of her husband’s marriage to Mersila (Lovi Poe), a gnawing jealousy consumes Shaleha. Directed by Brillante Mendoza, who won the best director award at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival for "Kinatay." In Tagalog with English subtitles. Hawaii premiere, 1:30 p.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
