The Palm Beach International Film Festival, which begins this evening, is going Hawaiian with its Opening Night attraction of PRINCESS KA'IULANI, a historical drama about a real life heroine in the legacy of the Hawaiian Islands.

The biopic stars Q'orianka Kilcher (the star of the Terrence Malick historical epic THE NEW WORLD) as a turn-of-the-century princess caught up in the last days of the Hawaiian monarchy. Set in 1888, the Kingdom of Hawaii is divided by a civil war. Princess Kaiulani, the young heir to the throne, is suddenly forced to flee the home she adores and move to England where she finds an altogether different life - one where she is not considered royalty. The film also stars Will Patton and Barry Pepper.

As she grows up and adapts to her new life there, she falls in love with the rebellious but sweet-natured Clive. At the tender age of 17, she receives the devastating news that the monarchy has been overthrown and her aunt, Queen Liliuokalani, has been arrested. The young Princess must choose between her true love and the responsibilit to her beloved islands and the Hawaiian people.

The film has been an audience favorite at many festivals, including winner of the Audience Award at last year's Hawaiian Film Festival. The film opens later this month around the United States via Roadside Attractions, a specialty distribution company.

The film's mix of personal courage and telling the untold story of one branch of America's native peoples is a tale of inspiration and setting right the often neglected historical past of America's native peoples. As such, it is the perfect start for a film festival devoted to independent vision. For more information on the other films gracing the Palm Beach International Film Festival this coming weekend, check out: www.pbifilmfest.org

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor