Filmmaker Christen Marquez at the Pacific X-Change Conference

ITVS and Pacific Islanders In Communications recently hosted the Pacific X-change conference, an educational two-day workshop held in Waikiki, Hawaii. Find out what the experience was like for independent documentary filmmaker Christen Marquez who was one of 19 selected to attend.

Filmmaker Christen Marquez with her mother Elena Marquez, both subjects of the documentary work-in-progress HAKU INOA: To Weave a Name.

Richard Saiz gives out homework. Really, there was a take home assignment.

Filmmaker Sarah Del Seronde presents her project on a family in Tonga to the panel.

Every time I return to Hawai‘i, I am grateful to see my Mom, spend time with her, and learn from her. As a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) of mixed heritage currently living in California, I truly appreciate any opportunity to learn from all the people I meet here on the islands. This trip was exceptionally exciting because I was one of 19 fortunate documentary producers and directors selected to attend the Pacific X-change conference, which was a collaboration between ITVS and Pacific Islanders In Communications. Held in the Prince Kuhio hotel in Waikiki, the workshop consisted of two days of workshops and pitching sessions.

At the beginning of the conference ITVS Senior Programming Manager Richard Saiz revealed that he has read an astonishing 8,000 documentary proposals. Wow! I would probably have brain damage. Thankfully, instead of crippling himself, Richard has gained great insight into what goes into a successful treatment. Just one memorable tidbit he shared with us was his holy trinity of doc proposal writing. Which distilled to premise, theme and story. If you can make each of these elements truly compelling Richard swears that you will be successful.

Up next was lovely local girl Cheryl Hirasa, who also happens to be a production manager at ITVS. By coincidence, she was in Hawai‘i visiting family and actually gave up some of her vacation to attend the conference. She presented a workshop on producing for public television, which helped explain deliverables and public television distribution.

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Tags: film resources, filmmakers, Hawaii

Watch These ITVS Programs This Month on Public Television

BOLINAO 52, premiering this month on public television (check local listings). In 1988 a group of Vietnamese boat people attempted to flee their country in search of freedom. Once at sea the boat’s engine died leaving over 100 people stranded in the ocean. What happens next is an unbelievable story of perseverance that changed the lives of the survivors forever.

Watch a preview below:

BOLINAO 52 received ITVS LINCS funding and is distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA).

Also, be sure to check out HEART STRINGS: The Story of the Kamaka `Ukulele, premiering this month on public television (check local listings). Out of all the Hawaiian manufacturers that were crafting instruments at the dawn of the twentieth century, only Kamaka Hawaii remains in business today. HEART STRINGS is the story of four generations of one family that has carried on its namesake business and commitment towards craft, culture and heritage, maintaining age-old values with a distinctly Hawaiian point of view.

Watch a preview below:

HEART STRINGS received ITVS LINCS funding and is distributed by PBS Plus.

Learn more about these films and other upcoming ITVS programs >>

Tags: Hawaii, Human Rights, music, Vietnam