Big Stories. Young Voices. Be Reel Children’s Film Festival Tickets Are On Sale Now

There’s something special about seeing the world through the eyes of a child—and this May, our community gets to do exactly that.

The Be Reel Children’s Film Festival is officially rolling out its full 2026 film schedule, and with it, a vibrant, heartfelt invitation to experience stories that are about kids, for kids, and by kids. Taking place May 22–25, this four-day celebration of youth storytelling is shaping up to be one of the most meaningful—and entertaining—events of the season.

And now, the big update everyone’s been waiting for: tickets are officially on sale.

If you’ve been following along with the build-up to Be Reel, you already know this isn’t your typical film festival. This is a platform. A stage. A spotlight for young voices—locally and beyond—to share their perspectives, creativity, and lived experiences through film. From powerful documentaries to imaginative animations, every screening offers something unique, authentic, and deeply human.

This year’s newly released schedule brings that vision to life in a big way.

Opening night on Friday, May 22 kicks things off with an engaging lineup of short films at 6:00 PM, including Secret Santa, Moon Marooned, the award-winning film Presumed Incompetent, and The Symbol of Peace. These stories explore themes of connection, resilience, and identity in ways that are both accessible and impactful. The evening continues at 8:00 PM with the Last Brick short film followed by the first three installments of a six-part series titled the All The Things—perfect for audiences of all ages and captured entirely in Ilokano with English subtitles.

On Saturday, May 23, the festival takes a meaningful turn with a 6:00 PM block featuring The Queen’s Flowers, and a highly anticipated highlight: the premiere of Camp Imua – 50 Years. For those connected to the Imua ‘ohana, this film is more than just a screening—it’s a celebration of legacy, impact, and the generations of children, counselors, and volunteers who have made Camp Imua what it is today. The night wraps with the Hisako Film Lab Shorts at 8:00 PM, showcasing emerging young filmmakers honing their craft right here in our community.

Sunday, May 24 continues the momentum with a 6:00 PM feature block including selections from the Maui Huliau Film Festival and Puu Kukui, bringing environmental storytelling and cultural perspective into focus. After that we will have an encore showing of the Last Brick followed by the second half of the All The Things series which is captured entirely in Ilokano with English subtitles at an 8:00 PM screening.

The festival closes out on Monday, May 25 with one final opportunity to catch a mix of Submitted Student Shorts, along with encore screenings of The Queen’s Flowers, Camp Imua – 50 Years, and Presumed Incompetent at 6:00 PM. (Note: there will be no late showing on closing night.)

Across all four days, what stands out most isn’t just the variety of films—it’s the voices behind them. These are stories shaped by curiosity, courage, humor, and honesty. They reflect the world as young people see it, and in doing so, they invite all of us to listen a little closer.

If you’re planning to attend—and you should—now is the time to make it happen. With the full schedule live and buzz building across the community, screenings are expected to fill quickly. You can explore film descriptions and secure your tickets now through the official festival page at https://bereelfilmfestival.com/

Whether you come for a single night or immerse yourself in the full four-day experience, the Be Reel Children’s Film Festival promises something rare—a chance to see the world differently, if only for a moment.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.