Maui short Film ‘My Parents to screen at HAAPI Film Festival –Southwest US Premiere

The award-winning short film “My Parents,” directed by Keliʻi Grace and Lance D. Collins, will have its Southwest US Premiere at the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPIFest) in Texas on Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton Westchase.

A heartfelt and humorous narrative short, “My Parents” follows a high school student’s decision to come out to his parents. The film explores the universal tension between parental expectations and a child’s true identity—with warmth, wit and emotional honesty.

“No matter who you are, your parents probably had a version of your future in mind—and chances are, you didn’t quite live up to it. My Parents plays with that tension, with humor and a lot of heart,” said Collins, co-director and writer

The cast features a vibrant ensemble of Maui-based theater talent, including King Kekaulike High School Dramatican alumni Ethan Eda, Ethan Baisa, and Bennett Guzman, and Baldwin High School Thespian alumnus Barry Kawakami. They are joined by Oʻahu-based filmmaker Brent Anbe and former Hawaiʻi Island council chairwoman Keiko Bonk.

“My Parents” was awarded Best Made in Hawaiʻi Short at the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival. It has also been an official selection at DIGO International Film Festival (Brazil), Anticensura Film Festival (Argentina), Perth Queer Film Festival (Australia), and the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival (Oregon, USA).