Emmy-Nominated filmmaker Ciara Lacy made her animated film debut with the Queen’s Flowers. The Queen’s Flowers is an animated short for kids that follows a Native Hawaii girl named Emma. Taking place in 1915 Honolulu, Emma makes a special gift for the last monarch of Hawai’I, Queen Lili’uokalani.

The 2024 Hawai‘i International Film Festival announced awards recently at the Halekulani Hotel.

“Moloka‘i Bound,” Hawaii resident director Alika Tengan’s slice-of-local-life story about a Native Hawaiian man’s efforts to reconnect with his family and his community after spending years in prison, received the Kau Ka Hoku Grand Jury Award and the Made in Hawai‘i Jury Award for best narrative feature.

The 2024 honorees are:

>> Kau Ka Hoku Grand Jury Award:

“Molokai‘i Bound” (Alika Tengan, director)

>> HIFF Best Short Film Award:

“CHamoru: A Lost Language” (Brian Muna, director)

>> Honorable mention:

“Talk to Me” (Jimmy Ming Shum, director)

Pasifika Awards:

>> Best Feature Film:

“We Were Dangerous” (Josephine Stewart-­Tewhiu, director)

>> Honorable mention:

“Standing Above the Clouds” (Jalena Keane-Lee, director)

NETPAC Award:

>>Best Feature Film:

“Sister Midnight” (Karan Kandahari, director)

>> Honorable mention:

“Ka Whawahi Tonu: Struggle Without End” (Mike Jonathan, director)

Made in Hawai‘i Jury Awards:

>> Best Narrative Feature:

“Molokai‘i Bound” (Alika Tengan,director)

>> Best Documentary Feature:

“Standing Above the Clouds” (Jalena Keane-Lee, director)

>> Best Made in Hawai‘i Award Short:

“The Queen’s Flowers” (Ciara Lacy, director)

BMW Driven Student Award:

>> “Stitches” (Alexander Cleary, director)

>> Honorable mention:

“Where Do Butterflies Go When They Die?” (Steven Loya Montoya, director)

HIFF44 Awards Gala Honorees:

>> Halekulani Vision in Film Award:

Stanley Nelson

>> Halekulani Career Achievement Award:

Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo and “Shogun”

>> Halekulani Maverick Award:

Charles Yu and “Interior Chinatown”

>> Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications:

Temuera Morrison

>> Spotlight on Hong Kong —Filmmaker in Profile:

Sandra Ng

HIFF44 continues on Maui, Lanai, Molokai and at Waimea and Hilo on the Big Island through Nov. 10. For more information, visit HIFF.org

Winner of HIFF’s Made in Hawai’i Best Short Film Award, which qualifies it for Oscar contention, Ciara Leina’ala Lacy’s animated short The Queen’s Flowers offers a different kind of inter-generational connection between strong-willed females in the fantasy genre. Beautifully animated by Daniel Sousa (who’s also done the visuals for two other key films, Aikãne and Kapaemahu) in a dazzling palate of royal and Pua Kalaunu purples and tropical lilikoi yellows, the film illustrates a chance meeting between a young Native Hawaiian girl and an imprisoned Queen Lili’uokalani, the last monarch of Hawai’i who was overthrown by U.S. business interests in 1893. Richly colored, The Queen’s Flowers holds deeper meanings within its frames. “As we began the process of collaborating with Director of Animation Daniel Sousa,” Lacy writes, “I knew I wanted the film to be filled with visual kaona, or layers of meaning. Every scene was not only painstakingly built off of historical reference images, it was also carefully encoded with symbols and gestures rich with meaning in Hawaiian culture.” For Lacy, “a former headstrong little Native Hawaiian girl,” “it is exciting to think of reclaiming authorship of our Native stories for our children, especially for young Indigenous girls.” (For another Hawai’i-based reclamation of a strong-willed heroine, visit my spotlight interview on the Hilo-set narrative feature Chaperone, a complicated tale of a 29-year-old woman and her relationship with a high-school heartthrob, by Zöe Eisenberg.)

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Queen’s Flowers is a touching and visually stunning animated short film written and directed by Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy, a local filmmaker.

The short animation has become an Oscar qualifying film thanks to its impressive wins which include the prestigious Made in Hawaiʻi Jury Award and Audience Award for Best Short at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF).

These Oscar qualification marks a momentous achievement for Lacy and her creative team.

“It’s been an incredible journey to realize that a small, community-driven film like The Queen’s Flowers can find its way to potentially share our Queen’s legacy on one of the biggest platforms in the world,” Lacy said as she reflected on the surreal nature of the film’s success. “This project, which was born from a simple, heartfelt story, has become something so much bigger than I ever imagined.

The film’s heartwarming narrative takes viewers back to 1915 Honolulu where a young Native Hawaiian girl named Emma embarks on a quest to create a special gift for Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last monarch.

It’s a tale deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian culture and history and captures the beauty of tradition, the significance of the lei and the enduring legacy of Hawaiʻi’s beloved queen.

A story that blossomed from oral tradition

The seeds for The Queen’s Flowers were planted by producer, Concepcion Saucedo-Trejo, who learned the story from her kumu hula who shared a beloved family story.

According to Lacy, the story’s charm lies in its simplicity and the gentle curiosity it evokes:

“Many years ago, Kumu Mālia Helelā and her family learned that their tutu [grandmother], Emma Pollack, had attended school at the Priory at the same time that Queen Liliʻuokalani lived next door at Washington Place.” Lacy continued, “When they asked Tutu if she had ever met the Queen, she said, ‘I used to steal her flowers.’ And that was it! I was hooked. Why would a little girl steal flowers from a queen?”

The answer, it turns out, was simple yet poignant: the girls had no flowers to offer Queen Liliʻuokalani when she came to visit.

In Native Hawaiian tradition, when a monarch or esteemed guest visits, it is customary to present them with a lei.

With no flowers of their own, the young girls would sneak into the queen’s beautiful gardens to pick her blossoms to offer them as gifts of appreciation and respect.

This charming and cheeky act of defiance sparked Lacy’s imagination and led to the creation of The Queen’s Flowers.

Animation as a tool for cultural preservation

Lacy, whose filmmaking journey began in music videos before expanding into documentaries and feature films, embraced animation for the first time with this project.

“Animation allowed us to bring this story to life in a way that’s both visually enchanting and profoundly meaningful,” she explained. “It’s a medium that can reach people of all ages and backgrounds which makes it the perfect vehicle for telling a Native Hawaiian story that’s as much about our history as it is about our future.”

The film’s creative team includes Daniel Sousa, an Oscar-nominated director of animation known for his work on Feral and Kapaemahu. He and Lacy collaborated closely to create a visual style that honors both the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s natural landscape and the cultural richness of the story.

“We wanted to create a world that felt bright and full of life,” Sousa said. “I’ve often worked on darker, grittier projects, but here we were building a sweet, colorful world that would resonate with young audiences.”

The film’s color palette, infused with the vibrant purples and lavenders of the crown flowers traditionally used in leis, captures the essence of Hawaiʻi’s beauty.

The artistic choices emphasize the story’s themes of connection, respect and the delicate relationship between nature and culture.

A grassroots Oscar campaign

After qualifying for Oscar consideration with a win at HIFF, The Queen’s Flowers has embarked on a grassroots Oscar campaign, a journey that has been both thrilling and challenging for Lacy and her small, tight-knit team.

“We’re figuring this out as we go,” Lacy admitted. “It’s been a scrappy, community-driven campaign. But what’s been so amazing is the support we’ve received from our Hawaiʻi community. People are genuinely excited about this film, and that makes all the effort worth it.”

The Oscar campaign includes outreach to Academy voters, social media promotion and press outreach, with Lacy and her team working to keep the film in front of the right people.

Despite the challenge of competing in a crowded field of films, Lacy’s determination and deep respect for the subject matter have made The Queen’s Flowers stand out.

“There’s no reason not to do it,” Lacy said of submitting to the Academy. “The Academy works hard to create an even playing field for smaller films, and that means a lot to us.”

Though the costs of the campaign — ads, press outreach and voter engagement — can be high, Lacy emphasized that any form of support, whether financial or through word-of-mouth promotion, is appreciated.

“Even just sharing our story on social media counts. It all helps,” she said. “And we’re so grateful for any support that comes our way.”

A global reception

The Queen’s Flowers has earned a warm reception on the film festival circuit as it continues to win numerous awards and accolades along its way.

Some of its major honors include the Audience Award Grand Prize Short Film at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, Jury Special Recognition at the VC Film Festival, and Best Animated Short at the Atlanta Children’s Film Festival.

Lacy has been humbled by the global response.

“Seeing how audiences around the world have embraced The Queen’s Flowers has been incredibly moving,” she said. “We’re humbled by the heartfelt response and grateful to everyone who has joined us on Emma’s journey to celebrate our heritage and the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.”

The film’s success has brought attention to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Hawaiʻi. As Lacy noted, The Queen’s Flowers offers more than just a delightful, animated story. It’s an opportunity to introduce audiences worldwide to the legacy of Hawaiʻi’s last monarch and the enduring spirit of its people.

“We hope that this film not only connects people to Hawaiʻi’s traditions but also fosters a broader respect for diverse cultural histories,” Lacy explained.

A step toward global recognition

With the film now in the Oscar race, Lacy and her team are focused on reaching the animation branch of the Academy to secure a spot on the short list.

“After the first phase of voting in early December, the pool gets smaller and smaller; but we’re hopeful,” Lacy said. “It’s a long journey, but we’re excited to see where it leads. I never imagined that something so small, so rooted in our community, could have this kind of impact.”

Whether or not The Queen’s Flowers receives a nomination, its journey to the Academy Awards is already a victory for Lacy and for Hawaiʻi.

“This is a story that belongs to our people,” she said. “It’s an honor to share it with the world, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to do so.”

As The Queen’s Flowers continues to captivate audiences and earn accolades, it serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling, both to preserve culture and to inspire future generations.

To find out how you can help this team make their dream come true, click here. This link also allows you to find out when the next screenings are and where you can find them. You can also follow the team on Instagram or email queries to thequeensflowers@gmail.com

The film’s Oscar qualification is just one chapter in a larger narrative that honors the past while looking toward a future where stories like Emma’s can take center stage on the global screen.

Made in Hawai‘i – Best Short Film: The Queen’s Flowers

Emmy-nominated filmmaker Ciara Lacy’s true story about a girl named Emma who would gift lei to Queen Lili‘uokalani is a fantastical animation made with Daniel Sousa, who also designed Kapaemahu and Aikāne. With this award, The Queen’s Flowers is eligible to be nominated for an Oscar.

thequeensflowersfilm.com, @thequeensflowersfilm

Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy’s new short, her first animated film, is a magical take on a touching, true story about the island nation’s last ruling monarch, known for her kindness, spare candy, and ever-present butterfly brooch, overthrown and imprisoned by U.S.-led forces in 1893, and a young girl who used to sneak into the Queen’s garden to steal the beautiful flowers.

Most Hawaiian adults knew her as Queen Liliʻuokalani, the only queen regent and last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. But the children of that time knew her as the lady with the spare candy, recognized by her iconic, ever-present butterfly brooch. 

“There’s a dress of hers on display at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu and it says that dress had a ‘candy pocket’ because she loved children so much,” shares Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy, a multiple award-winning native Hawaiian filmmaker. “She was what a liberated woman looked like in the Victorian era. I’ve seen young women here put butterflies with her name on their jackets. There’s so much reverence for this woman and her legacy.”

Lacy, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and inaugural Sundance Institute Merata Mita Fellow is known for her documentaries like PBS’ Out of State and Netflix’s Is That Black Enough For You?!?. Lacy has also consulted for Ubisoft, Pixar, and Quibi and her work has been supported by Sundance, Tribeca, the Princess Grace Foundation, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Pacific Islanders in Communications and Firelight Media. Her latest short film project, The Queen’s Flowers, focused on Queen Liliʻuokalani, marks her first step into animation. The film has made the Oscar's long list for consideration in the coming awards voting.

The film, a magical take on a true story, chronicles the journey of Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl attending a Christian school in 1915 Honolulu. As the school prepares to host a concert in honor of the last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili`uokalani, Emma sets out to make a special gift for the queen, using crown flowers from the Queen’s nearby home garden. The short is available to watch below:

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity,” says Lacy, referring to both the film’s focus and fantastical medium. “When we think of the Queen, we think of pressure points in Hawaii’s history, like her overthrow and subsequent imprisonment. But we get to tell this beautiful story of the Queen in a different way and as a lovely reminder of who she was.”

Though the film does address the Queen’s overthrow by the American-led forces in 1893, the main focus of the film is on the lighthearted nature of a young child, proud of her heritage, who wishes to honor her Queen, while also trying to avoid getting in trouble with her nun teachers for staying up past curfew. 

With research conducted through Bishop Museum Archives’ head archivist DeSoto Brown, as well as Rianna M. Williams and Hawaii State Archives’ Dr. Ronald Williams Jr, The Queen’s Flowers is true, it’s sincere and, yes, sad at times. But the film is, like Liliʻuokalani herself, mostly joyous and hopeful. After all, Her Majesty agreed to give up her thrown for the safety of her people, believing that one day, her kingdom would be restored. That hope lasted until her final days.

“I started reading about the Queen before I met Ciara and by the time I met her, I was already in love,” says Concepcion (“Connie”) Saucedo-Trejo, producer of The Queen’s Flowers who first connected with Lacy on the film festival circuit. “Hawaii’s been my home since 2005 and I started taking hula classes to learn about the culture, which is when my teacher told our class about how her grandmother went to the school next door to the Queen. When her family asked her, ‘Did you ever meet the Queen?’ my teacher’s grandmother would sassily look around and say, ‘I used to steal her flowers.’ The idea of a little girl, sneaking into the Queen’s garden to take buds that she’d then gift back to her as a lei was a beautiful story that just embodies who Hawaiian people are. They love to give love.”

The Queen’s Flowers shows that, while the Hawaiian Kingdom may not have been restored physically, it still resides in the hearts of its people. 

“This film is a story about two people – a woman and a young girl – both of whom have had their dreams crushed and who both chose to not give up,” says executive producer Dean Hamer, who also directed two other award-winning Hawaii-focused animated shorts: Kapaemahu and Aikane. “And within that story is incorporated the background history. I think that’s way more effective than just teaching a series of dry facts. This makes it a part of people’s lives.”

That’s certainly been the case for animation director Daniel Sousa, whose whole family has gotten to contribute to his animations for the film. 

“My wife Liz has been my compass in a way,” shares Sousa, who also worked with Hamer on Kapaemahu and Aikane. “She’s a visual artist with a good eye for composition and color. She also ended up doing the graphic design for the film’s title. Then there’s my daughter who also did temporary voice work for Emma’s character.”

The film, created in 2D, is also reflective of Hawaii’s vibrant flora and magical atmosphere. Though taking place in real locations with real people, the young girl’s butterfly companion and the Queen’s glittery golden transformation at the end of the film are fantastical elements added to portray the wonder and imagination of a child. 

“While I was making the film, my daughter Alina would watch the animation every week,” shares Sousa. “The target audience is my daughter, and she was a real critic. Of course, I would get notes from Ciara as well, but Alina did not mince words. She always told me when facial expressions were unclear or wrong. But she really loved the connection between Emma’s character and the butterfly who becomes her friend.”

In Hawaii, butterflies don’t just represent the brooch their former Queen wore every day. Butterflies are also seen as an “aumakua” or a “natural manifestation of your ancestors,” in Lacy’s words. It’s a fitting symbol to remember Liliʻuokalani, who passed away in 1917. And Emma Pollock, the actual name of the woman who used to take the Queen’s flowers, receives a note of dedication in the film’s credits.  

“It was a pleasure to bring her family to the Hawaii International Film Festival screening and to have them see this story about their grandmother so many years after her passing,” says Lacy. “I think it was really beautiful for them.”

The film’s final sequences also reflect a sense of nostalgia and community among not only Her Majesty and the school children, but with the nuns as well. It’s a community of women, of all ages and backgrounds, coming together. The Queen was recorded to be a devout Christian, with many of the local churches and their leaders having great respect for Liliʻuokalani. But her faith also did not hinder the Queen’s passion for Hawaii traditions and costumes, such as the gift of a lei to show love and respect or playful Hawaiian music. 

“Hawaiians are very inclusive, as was our Queen, and we honor that in the film,” shares Lacy. “At one point, she was even able to sit at a table with the men who overthrew her nation. These values of generosity, of forgiveness, they seem so simple but, thinking about where we are in the world today, we truly need them.”

She continues, “This is also something that informs the style of my filmmaking and it informs Hawaii’s very language. If you break down the etymology of “Aloha,” “Alo” is your face and “ha” is the breath from your nose. Hawaiians believe the breath from your nose is pure, because you can’t say bad things or curse with the breath from your nose, which is why we often share kisses nose-to-nose. And Aloha is the verbal expression of that. And, with every film I do, I want audiences to feel like they’re experiencing that generosity, that love, that kiss nose-to-nose.

As the child presents the flowers to the Queen at the end of the film, the children also sing a real song Queen Liliʻuokalani wrote. The song, “He Inoa Nō Kaʻiulani,” comes from The Queen’s Songbook, a treasured collection of the many songs she composed. It is sung by students at Kamehameha Schools, which was founded by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last royal descendant of the Kamehameha line. The Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus has been led by Choir Director Lynell Bright since 1989 and, in the fall of 2001, the chorus recorded two songs for the Disney animated hit movie Lilo & Stitch and have also made several recordings for the Disney Aulani hotel, and Disney’s Frozen Christmas special.

In English, the “He Inoa Nō Kaʻiulani” chorus reads:

“Well, now the lady is so pretty,

Here now, dwelling in tranquility.

My, how she has become so beautiful,

A flower that her nation embraces

with pride.”

“We’re highlighting the resilience of the Hawaiian people and how they’re able to persevere no matter what duress comes to them,” says Saucedo-Trejo. “There are no flowers? I’m going to go get them and honor somebody that I love. You’re taking my kingdom for reasons I do not understand? I’m going to let you in order to protect my people. That message is important, and I think it’s an understanding the world could use right now.”