HIFF is honored to present the World Premiere of THE NAVIGATOR as its Opening Night film. In 1980, Nainoa Thompson became the first Native Hawaiian in six centuries to navigate a voyaging canoe from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti without a compass or modern instruments. Nearly 50 years later, he returns to the open ocean for one final, extraordinary crossing. Accompanied by a small crew of student navigators, Thompson journeys 2,400 miles along the ancestral sea road, guided only by the stars, the rhythms of nature, and the teachings of the late master navigator Mau Piailug. This voyage is more than a test of endurance. It is a responsibility to carry forward an ancient knowledge system—and a deeply personal search for something beyond the horizon. THE NAVIGATOR is a powerful meditation on legacy, discovery, and what becomes possible when we learn to observe, listen, and reconnect with the natural world. Join us at the Historic Hawaii Theatre for this Free HIFF World Premiere and Opening Night. Celebrate the start of the festival with an unforgettable evening of cinema, community, and storytelling on the big screen. For more information visit the HIFF website.