VIDEO: HPA Alumnus Scott Eastwood Receives Rising Star Award at Maui Film Festival

The 16^th anniversary edition of the Maui Film Festival got underway in Wailea, Maui on Wednesday night, June 3, and runs through June 7^th.

Celebrity Scott Eastwood was honored during the opening night of the Celestial Cinema event with the festival’s Rising Star award which pays tribute to young film artists whose every role surprises, enthralls, and delights audiences of every age.

Big Island Now/Maui Now’s Malika Dudley caught up with Eastwood for an exclusive interview. Eastwood said he considers the Big Island “home” and the “aloha spirit” is something that he carries with him through life.

Eastwood can be currently seen as bull-rider Luke Collins in “The Longest Ride,” an adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel, starring opposite Britt Robertson and Alan Alda.

He will soon be seen in several high-profile films as well, including “Suicide Squad,” from Warner Bros., DC Comics and director David Ayer, and the yet-to-be-titled Oliver Stone film about Edward Snowden.

Eastwood’s other recent films include the World War II movie, “Fury,” with Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf, and independent features “Dawn Patrol and “Walk of Fame.”  Eastwood also had a lead role in “Texas Chainsaw 3D” and “Trouble with the Curve.”

His other films include: “Invictus,” “Gran Torino,” “Flags of our Fathers,” “Carmel,” “An American Crime” and “Pride.”

The five-day Festival includes film screenings, award tributes, filmmaker panels, the Taste of Wailea, the Taste of Chocolate and other festivities.

The Celestial Cinema, the festival’s crown jewel outdoor venue at the Wailea Golf Club’s driving range features films under the stars.