“Ka Huaka’i: The Journey to Merrie Monarch” to Screen at Brand Storytelling Showcase During Sundance Film Festival

Co-production with Hawaiian Airlines puts a spotlight on hula's most prestigious event.

HONOLULU, HI —NMG Network's "Ka Huaka'i: The Journey to Merrie Monarch" has been accepted into the inaugaral Brand Storytelling Theater showcase, a sanctioned event of Sundance Film Festival. Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline that will be featured in the seminal event that showcases the best in content marketing.

The film, which NMG Network produced with Hawaiian Airlines, follows the journey of three hula practitioners—a teacher, a chanter, and a dancer—as they prepare to step onto the stage of the most prestigious hula competition of its kind.

Hawaiian Airlines, for which NMG has produced a number of videos, including the Emmy-award winning "Heart of Hawaiian" series and the carrier's "Travel Pono" campaign, is the only airline that will be represented at Brand Storytelling.

Brand Storytelling conducted an open call for brand-funded film submissions to be featured during Brand Storytelling 2022. The selection committee, composed of 16 brands, agencies and directors, reviewed submissions ranging from full-length feature films and documentaries to short films and episodic programs.

After careful review, the selection committee extended an invitation to 21 companies to screen in the Brand Storytelling Theater showcase.

"It's time to shine a light on brand-funded content that aims to stop interrupting the user experience and focuses on being the entertainment that people seek," said Rick Parkhill, Director and Co-Founder of Brand Storytelling. "Our community of brands, directors, agencies, content studios and platforms have an opportunity to inspire, educate and create opportunities for the next generation of storytellers. That is why Brand Storytelling exists, to celebrate and foster this work."

The inaugural Brand Storytelling Theater showcase will take place in Park City, Utah, January 19-22, 2022.

NMG Network is the leading creator of custom media experiences for luxury and leisure travel, hospitality, and premium residential partners.

Brand Storytelling 2022 will bring together industry thought leaders across various business sectors, including award-winning directors, agencies, content studios and platforms who are eager to learn how today's top brands, directors and agencies reformulate the media and advertising landscape through brand storytelling can join the conversation virtually.

With television audiences' changing viewing behaviors and the increase in streaming entertainment consumption, today's brands are rethinking the traditional media landscape and how they connect with their customers. Brand Storytelling recognizes brands' innovative and unique approaches to storytelling that reflect brand values, empathy and purpose.

"Brands and their partners are producing stories that are pushing our industry forward," said Marc Battaglia, Co-Founder of Story + Strategy and Brand Storytelling Theater Selection Committee Chair. "Brand Storytelling provides a platform to celebrate and share the best in brand-funded filmmaking."

Brands invited to screen at Brand Storytelling 2022 include:

• 3M
• Aflac
• Apple
• Brooks Running
• Burton
• Hawaiian Airlines
• HP
• Icelantic
• Keen
• KitchenAid
• Kuhl
• Lahouts
• Merrel
• Nike
• Pepsi
• Prana
• Procter & Gamble/Old Spice
• Redbull
• Sephora
• The North Face
• United States Postal Service

About NMG Network

NMG Network is the leading creator of custom media experiences for luxury and leisure travel, hospitality, and premium residential partners. Our highly targeted omnichannel approach to storytelling provides a unique opportunity to connect with the most sophisticated and sought after consumers where they prefer to engage with content that informs, inspires and entertains. In addition to its award-winning video, print and digital channels created for clients including Shutters on the Beach, Hotel Casa del Mar, Halekulani Hotel, Park Lane Ala Moana, ‘Alohilani Resort, Ko Olina Resort, International Market Place and Marriott Resorts Hawaii, NMG operates consumer facing brands Lei, for the LGBTQ+ traveler; FLUX Hawaii, representing the current of Hawai’i; and Shore TV Hawaii, the most widely distributed network devoted to travel in Hawaii. View more at NMGnetwork.com.

About Brand Storytelling

Contacts:

NMG Network
Jason Cutinella Founder & CEO
[email protected]

NMG Network
Merri Gruesser
VP, Global Partnerships & Development
[email protected]