The 'Aumakua Records Music Festival, featuring musical artists on the 'Aumakua label, two short films and a collection of local artwork, will debut at 7 tonight at the Mamiya Theater, Saint Louis Center for the Arts, in Kaimuki.

Proceeds benefit the 'Aumakua Music Project, which aims to preserve local music and encourage new music. Through AMP, Island artists receive assistance in recording and producing an album, after which artists are able to take finished masters, which they own, and chose the best direction for their career through independent promotion or a record label.

"The AMP is designed to encourage and assist up-and-coming musicians across the state," festival organizer Shawn Livingston Moseley said in a news release. "There is so much unheard of and unrecorded talent here in Hawai'i, and so many of these musicians just need the opportunity to come into a professional studio to produce" their work.

The AMP also assists schools in building music programs and provides private instruction.

Acts scheduled to perform at the festival include Kalae Mills, S&S (Stephen Inglis and Moseley), Millicent Cummings, Evasive Species and guest Cindy Combs. The genres range from Hawaiian slack key to alternative, neo-classical and hip-hop. Slam poet Kealoha will host. Two short films, composed by a local production crew, will be accompanied by live music performed by Moseley and S&S. Also, a mural depicting early Hawaiians at sea, sculpture, pottery and floral artwork will be on display.

Tickets, $22.50, can be purchased through the Honolulu Box Office at www.honoluluboxoffice.com or 550-8457. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $25.

The AMP is a division of the nonprofit The Forward Foundation, www.forwardfoundation.org.