Written, directed, and performed by incarcerated youth at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), BORN FO BANG tells the personal story of an HYCF youth, who also plays the main character. When a book smart Hawaiian teenager refuses to beat up a Haole, his domineering older brother threatens to excommunicate him from the gang – and his family.

BORN FO BANG was filmed on-site at HYCF, with each role played by the young men incarcerated there (except for the two adult characters); as well as the crew responsibilities. The short film premiered at the Hawaii State Capital Auditorium in September 2011, hosted by Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie. The film is a Programmers’ Pick at 2012 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), and recently received the Best Narrative Short Film award at the Urban Media Filmmakers Film Festival.

Born Fo Bang trailer