‘The Queen’s Flowers’, written and directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy, continues its extraordinary journey across the global film circuit racking up an impressive list of accolades that now position this animated short as a strong contender for an Oscar nomination.
“As ‘The Queen’s Flowers’ reaches audiences worldwide, we’re thrilled to offer viewers of all ages a deeper connection to Hawaiian culture and Queen Liliʻuokalani’s legacy,” said Lacy. “We hope to inspire not only an appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s rich traditions but also a broader respect for diverse cultural histories. Animation has allowed us to bring this story to life in a way that’s both visually enchanting and profoundly meaningful.”
‘The Queen’s Flowers’ is an original story that follows Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl in 1915 Honolulu, as she embarks on a heartfelt quest to create a special gift for Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch. The film’s story, rich with historical and cultural significance, has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
The film’s path to success has been fueled by an impressive team, including Oscar-nominated Director of Animation Daniel Sousa (Feral, Kapaemahu), Producer Concepcion Saucedo-Trejo, Executive Producers Linda and Robert Nichols, Dean Hamer, and Terry Leonard (Oscar nominated producer of Marcel The Shell With Shoes On), along with a score by Composer Jonathan Zalben. This powerhouse creative collaboration has brought Lacy’s vision to life, creating a culturally significant film that resonates with viewers worldwide.
“After reading the script and my initial conversations with Ciara, it became clear that the visual style for ‘The Queen’s Flowers’ would have to represent a radical departure from my previous work,” said Director of Animation Daniel Sousa. “I have often created worlds that are dark and gritty, but now we were speaking to a much younger audience, and creating a very sweet and colorful world, infused with the purples and lavenders of the Crown flowers that are used for traditional leis.”
The film’s sweeping wins across multiple, diverse film festivals has established The Queen’s Flowers as a favorite among both audiences and juries including:
- Audience Award Grand Prize Short Film and Audience Award Ages 8+, New York
International Children’s Film Festival - Jury Special Recognition Narrative Short, VC Film Festival
- Best 2D Animated Short, Atlanta Children’s Film Festival
- Youth Jury Special Prize, Singapore International Children’s Film Festival
- Audience Award & Jury Runner Up for Best short, Woods Hole Film Festival
- Made in Hawaiʻi Jury Award and Audience Award for Best Short, Hawaiʻi International Film Festival
- Best Animated Film, Children’s International Film Festival of Wales
“Seeing how audiences around the world have embraced ‘The Queen’s Flowers’ has been incredibly moving,” said Lacy. “We’re humbled by the heartfelt response and grateful to everyone who has joined us on Emma’s journey to celebrate our heritage and the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.”The Queen’s Flowers continues to captivate audiences and earn critical acclaim. It now stands as a contender for an Oscar nomination, with the hope of sharing this Hawaiian story with a global audience at the Academy Awards.
