Authenticity in Filmmaking Forum
Presented by the International Cultural Arts Network | 10:30 AM | Napa Valley Community College
Meet Chief of War actors Brandon Finn and Siua Ikale'o as they discuss authenticity as a performative act and how it provides a deeply immersive, culturally rich storytelling experience. The discussion will be moderated by Angela Laprete, an award-winning producer from Hawaii and co-founder of ICAN.
International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN) is a non-profit organization founded in 2023 by Hawaii film industry veterans - Angela Laprete, Brian Keaulana and Robert Suka. ICAN’s mission is to elevate, educate, and empower diversity, with a focus on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) in the Film Industry, providing opportunities in training and workforce development, and bridging cultural connections globally in the form of storytelling and entertainment.
Angela Laprete is an award-winning producer from Hawaii and has worked in the film industry for over 30 years. Her work spans across local, national and international projects for episodic TV, blockbuster features, and independent films. Her long list of credits includes “Hawaii Five-0”, “The Wind and the Reckoning”, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”, the Amazon feature, “Wrecking Crew” and the Apple+ new TV series, “Chief of War”.
Angela’s work goes beyond the big screen. She has always shared her expertise by giving back and elevating opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers. In early 2023, she co-founded the non-profit, ICAN – International Cultural Arts Network. ICAN’s mission is to empower diversity, with a focus on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the entertainment industry, bringing access to high-level training, creating pathways into the film business and bridging connections globally. She also served on the Board for Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) for 15 years.
Angela earned her BA in Film Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She remains bi-coastal, living in Los Angeles and Hawaii.
Siua Ikale'o is a Tongan-American actor who made his Network television debut in 2022 as a Guest Star on CBS's NCIS: Hawai'i, portraying the hit man, Ricky Sio.
Immediately following, he was cast as the series regular role playing Nahi, Jason Momoa's younger brother in the Apple TV+ epic series "Chief of War”.
Siua was born in California, USA, but was raised in the island Kingdom of Tonga. While in Tonga, Siua became fluent in Tongan. He excelled in athletics, playing rugby and throwing shot put, discus, and javelin. Siua was also involved in his high school's music department, singing baritone/bass in an acapella group and playing a variety of instruments in their brass band. While in Tonga, Siua was also trained and participated in the storytelling arts of Tongan traditional dancing.
Upon returning to the USA in 2007, he quietly pursued acting as a hobby, performing as a volunteer actor in short films for the Academy of Arts in San Francisco, to the Expressions Digital Arts in Emeryville, CA.
Siua furthered his pursuit by becoming a student at the First Take Acting Program, led by founder Nancy Berwid.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Brandon Finn is a Los Angeles-based actor. The move to LA was made in pursuit of his passion for the craft of acting, and it has served as his home for many years now. His most recent work was as a series regular on Apple TV's "Chief of War,” led by Jason Momoa. Set in the Hawaiian Islands in 1795, Brandon plays the pivotal role of "Prince Kūpule," son of the notorious "King Kahekili" of the island of Maui, played by Temuera Morrison. For their work on this historic period piece, "Best Ensemble" was awarded to Brandon and the main cast of "Chief of War" at the Independent Spirit Awards 2026. Other works of Brandon's include roles for both "Fantasy Island" on FOX and "Three Women" on STARZ, where Brandon worked with Director Cate Shortland. For the upcoming year, Brandon is scheduled to appear on "The Rookie" on ABC as well as "Law & Order" on NBC. Brandon is a graduate of Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was during his time there that he discovered his attraction to the performing arts, sparked by Paul Palmore, former head of the theatre department at Punahou School. In Los Angeles, Brandon was a member of Graham Shiels Studio.