THE DONN OF TIKI is a documentary about Donn Beach, also known as Don the Beachcomber, whose iconic bar sparked the global tiki movement. But his story reaches far beyond the creation of a trend. Donn was an American original, a restless inventor of his own mythology, a man who repeatedly reinvented himself, and someone who became as famous for embellishing his past as he was for shaping 20th century cocktail culture.

This film sets out to untangle the truth from the tall tales, tracing the real life behind Donn’s legendary persona. Within his stories are kernels of truth: a youth spent in Jamaica, running rum during Prohibition, tracking down cigars and liquor for troops during World War II, and introducing the world’s first commercial lū‘au to Hawai‘i.

Interviews with historians, scholars of Indigenous politics, and members of the tiki community reveal a complex portrait of an optimistic Texan who ultimately became a champion of authenticity, both in his craft and in his personal evolution. Blending hand-drawn and stop-motion animation, the film brings Donn’s journey to life with humor, warmth, and a touch of the fantastical spirit he carried throughout his extraordinary life.