PUMA, through the puma.creative initiative, partnered with the 29th annual Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) sponsoring the first puma.creative Emerging Filmmaker Award. Held between October 15-25  in Hawaii, the Hawaii International Film Festival is considered the primary source for the discovery and exhibition of Asia and Pacific feature films, documentaries and short films in the nation. The puma.creative Emerging Filmmaker Award was awarded by HIFF to Children Of Invention directed by Tze Chun at an afternoon presentation at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters.

Still: Children of Invention directed by Tze Chun, winner of the PUMA Emerging Filmmaker Award

Children of Invention, the PUMA Emerging Filmmaker Award winner, is a film about survival in these financially unstable times: “Trapped by the recognizable scenario of single-motherdom, deadbeat dads, and a U.S. security world that exacts particular pain from immigrants, Elaine Cheng (Cindy Cheung) falls victim to her hope of escape in two pyramid schemes. But, we also see her resourcefulness amidst our new time of economic crisis. The mortgage meltdown is the unsaid context of her newly-evicted family’s clandestine relocation to a new, yet-to-be-sold vacant condo. When one of her marathon work days extends into a serial overnighter, her son, Raymond (Michael Chen), knows something is wrong. He recruits his little sister, Tina (Crystal Chiu) into a plan to produce and sell his inventions, buy back their house and live happily ever after…” – Bianca Isaki

Director Tze Chun introduces the Children of Invention trailer:

Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. The festival has premiered such movies as Once Were Warriors, The Piano, Shine, Shall We Dance, Y Tu Mama Tabien and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

puma.creative is proud to sponsor the first puma.creative Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival and would like to congratulate film Director Tze Chun on winning this award. 

Still: Cindy Chueng as Elaine Chueng in Children of Invention

Still: Children of Invention