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Tony Dia

@tonydiafilms

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• Co-Creative Director of @aikanemedia
• Co-Programming Director of @hrfilmfest
• Class of ‘25 @scamanoa
📍Kingdom of Hawai’i

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

OUR SHORT FILM “I AM” IS OFFICIALLY AWARD-WINNING!!!

It has been three years since taking a hiatus from this account but I felt it was the right time for an update. In 2021, I started my filmmaking journey at @scamanoa the School of Cinematic Arts at UH Mānoa. I met a lot of insanely talented people and learned so much through these creative collaborations.

Which finally lead to directing my first film.

I wrote this film with @_ruledbyvenus as a love letter to the queer community. We felt the vibrant stories and voices here deserved more love on the big screen.

It has also been such a privilege to collaborate with such dedicated, creative talent. I’ll never forget my time on set with this cast and crew. My heart is so full.

Finally, thank you to the many people who supported us throughout the process. I wish I could fit everyone in this post but please know we are so grateful for all the love and support we have received.

This really is a story about our community, for our community, and BY our community. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

IG won’t let me tag more than 20 people so for the full list:

7th Photo:
The incredible artists behind the original song for our film, I Am
@sierraxlucia @jroq @quinnamiyashiro @jhei_ji

8th Photo:
The inspiring filmmakers I met.
Director of @ladylikethemovie
Luke Willis @lukewillis
Director of @duinomovie
Juan Pablo Di Pace @juanpablodipace
Director of My Parents Lance D. Collins
Director of One Night @jasonlanuevo
Festival Director @celebrenty
Programming Director @kraussinthehaus
1st Exec Director of Legacy Foundation @randysoriano808

9th Photo:
And of course, some of our family, friends, and supporters throughout the weekend
@shoyu_bunnie @sativabenton @smithingbooth @j_50n @gdolce @kaserah @mariht09 @annameisean @hinamoeatu @marina_delrey2000 @northstar808 @filthypirate808 @vv.vixen @itsnachocheese @breadfrvit @jayronmunoz @kraussinthehaus @celebrenty @geraldgeraldgerald @justinl13 @mykspresso @shimada.haley03 @bamesnond @pandakurisu @zee_trix @alohakahau_ @jaahleo @hayleycheyneykane @kkarmenlong22 @theomnianova @im.edensimon @thekamulani @zeewithdatea taken in Doris Duke Theatre by @tonydiafilms

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2 years ago

I got my bad baby by my heavenly side

Photo by @mahinahoku.choy taken in Hawaii Theatre Center by @tonydiafilms

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2 months ago

37th Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival Red Carpet Event at The Hawai‘i Theatre by The Hawaii LGBT+ Legacy Foundation.

It is truly an honor to serve as the Programming Co-Directors of the festival this year. It has been a full circle moment- from premiering @iamashortfilm and @the7thmoonfilm to carving out space for QWI and Student filmmakers to platform their talent on the very BIG SCREEN. It has been a goal of ours to transform the festival by creating a new precedent.

We wanted to lead our Q + A with a deep understanding of the zeitgeist. Film gives us the context in which we can explore the hidden meanings of things by provoking an audience to kilo about a subject.

Day 1 ‘The State of the Queer Union’ the politics that affect us all.

Access to Gender Affirming Care was recently enshrined into law HB 1875 Health Care Shield Law- out-of-state legal immunity, professional licensing safeguards, custody child welfare protections.

The film @justkidsofficial shares the experiences of families with trans children who live in red states who banned access to their life saving care.

We are very fortunate to live in a community that recognizes this human right to happiness and self fulfillment. It is important to remind ourselves that the Kingdom of Hawai‘i is the global leader in Aloha for our Queer Community.

Photo by @mahinahoku.choy

@hrfilmfest with our Mother Miss Island Goddess 2026 Jerrica Benton @shoyu_bunnie

Mahalo nui loa for always supporting us we love you so much 💚

Photo by @mahinahoku.choy

Hui Kālele Ekahi @tah.inat + @talialeiagliam @hawaiinewsnow finest!

Congratulations on the film festival premiere of “Restoring Inoa ‘Āina” at the @leiculture Short Film Showcase sponsored by @nmgnetwork meant to platform local queer filmmakers.

Photo by @mahinahoku.choy

@dfatuesi is such a kī

It was an honor to have your energy during the Q + A for @watchglimmer mahalo for sharing your experience with us and being a star to navigate with ⭐️

Photo by @mahinahoku.choy

Q as in lgbtQia+

Photo by @mahinahoku.choy taken in Hawaii Theatre Center by @tonydiafilms

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3 months ago

I don’t know when, I don’t know how,
but I know something’s starting right now.
Watch and you’ll see someday I’ll be part of your world 🧜🏽‍♀️

Photography @aikanemedia
Photo direction @tonydiafilms @_ruledbyvenus
Hair @thewigalien
#AllStars10 #Dragrace #littlemermaid taken in Waimanalo, Hawaii by @tonydiafilms

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a year ago

From the motherland with love 💕
With this runway design challenge I wanted to create a sense of home for all, but also invigorate the need to escape to the Divine mother ocean. This festival creation brings movement, joy, and a reminder to enjoy what is to come! Thank you all for the love, Mahalo from the house of Colby. 🌺💞
#allstars10 #dragrace #runway taken in Waimanalo, Hawaii by @tonydiafilms

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a year ago

🏆 AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT NARRATIVE FILM 🏆
@DisOrientFilm Festival 2025

I’m so thrilled to announce that we have received the Audience Award for Best Short Narrative at the 20th Annual @DisOrientFilm Festival!!! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this recognition.

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this magical collaboration. It was around this time last year that we had wrapped principal photography (and began our “last reshoot, I promise” adventure with @spncr_ilagan ). I was privileged enough to witness a group of people from many different walks of life come together for the sake of art and their love for film. For most of us, it was our time working on a film project of this scale. And it happened to be with a crew full of very ambitious aspiring filmmakers. Seeing the impact our film is now having on those who have watched it is a priceless gift. Thank you to DisOrient and everyone who attended for allowing us this opportunity to share I Am.

I Am (2024)
Directed by Tony Dia
Co-written with Von Ka’anā’anā

Produced at @scamanoa

Crew:
@erin.arashiro (producer)
@hannahparkus (director of photography)
@ka.wah_ (assistant director, co-producer)
@ken.munozzz (cam op, 1st AC, gaffer)
@_lucasfrazier (underwater DP, 2nd AC, water safety)
@_ruledbyvenus (production design, wardrobe)
@richard_boy808 (co-editor, post prod.)
@mickeygraue (sound mixer)
@shoyu_bunnie (makeup artist)
@keilanimartin14 (BTS photographer)
kristy munakata (assist. editor)

PAs
@jemmaawhite @a1exiscore @trey.kq @alexmydudes @vanlemon_z jordan jackson, jasmine thai, abigail gomez taken in DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon by @tonydiafilms

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2 years ago

We had our continental premiere at the Disorient Asian American Film Festival!!! It was a wonderful weekend meeting so many inspiring, talented filmmakers and artists. I’m glad we were able to share a bit of our vibrant queer community in Hawaiʻi with Eugene, Oregon. Thank you to everyone at @disorientfilm who worked tirelessly to create this unforgettable experience. Shoutout to @jo.fujiwara and Pam who really went out of their way for all of us. It was such a warm welcome and we can’t wait to come back.

To my cast and crew, I can’t thank you enough for lending your incredible talents and hard work for this passion project. The reactions from the audience were a reminder that we created something so special together and it deserves to be seen. It has been a magical journey at @scamanoa creating this film with you all.

A huge thanks to Lei Pua ʻAla Foundation @queerhistoriesofhawaii for your support in our festival run and to @scarlethnl @hawaiitheatre and all the people who have donated and volunteered to make this film happen. taken in Art House by @tonydiafilms

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2 years ago

Catch us at the Disorient Asian American Film Festival!

Saturday March 8th at 1:00pm
During “Queering the Narrative” Shorts Program
Art House Theater
Eugene, Oregon

We are thrilled to announce our Continental Premiere this weekend at the @disorientfilm festival!

Thank you to SCA Mānoa @scmanoa Lei Pua ʻAla Foundation @queerhistoriesofhawaii Scarlet Honolulu Nightclub @scarlethnl Hawaiʻi Theatre @hawaiitheatre Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival @hrfilmfest and everyone who has supported us through this journey! We look forward to sharing “I Am” with the world ❤️

I Am (2024)
Directed by Tony Dia
Co-Written with Von Ka’anā’anā
Music: I Am (Original Motion Picture Single) by @jroq @sierraxlucia
Produced at @scamanoa

Tickets can be bought at disorientfilm.org taken in Art House by @tonydiafilms

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2 years ago

anniversary portraits but in the style of ✨dystopian sci-fi✨ taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @tonydiafilms

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6 years ago

I just finished watching a private screening for @hawaiiansoulmovie and I have so many conflicting emotions. Admiration for Native Hawaiians who continue to fight for their culture and the ‘aina. Anger at the desecration of Kahoʻolawe by the military and their practice of bombing sacred land. Sadness for George Helm who wasn’t able to see the wonderful fruits of his labor.
If you have the time, please put this on your must-watch list. It’s an excellent short film and needs recognition. taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @tonydiafilms

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6 years ago

sleepy boi taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @tonydiafilms

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6 years ago

bébé taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @tonydiafilms

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6 years ago