Tiki culture will take center stage in Tucson this March as Film Fest Tucson and Arizona Arts Live host the Arizona premiere of Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession—a feature‑length documentary exploring the vibrant world of Tiki collectors, artists, and modern Polynesian‑pop revivalists. The screening will be held Sunday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Marroney Theatre on the University of Arizona campus.
The event not only showcases the film’s deep dive into Tiki history but also highlights a uniquely local connection: the creation of Cabali, a speakeasy‑style Tiki bar in Oro Valley inspired by the passion of collector Doug “Fini” Finical.
🌺 The Film: A Journey Through Tiki’s Rise, Fall, and Revival
Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession traces nearly a century of Tiki culture through its most iconic symbol—the ceramic Tiki mug. The documentary explores how Tiki bars, once a mid‑century American phenomenon, nearly vanished by the 1990s before being rediscovered by a new generation of enthusiasts.
According to the film’s official site, the documentary follows Fini Finical as he works with artists and craftsmen to build a Tiki bar dedicated to his overwhelming mug collection, while also chronicling the broader subculture of collectors who helped revive Tiki aesthetics in the modern era.
The film weaves together:
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Interviews with artists, bartenders, historians, and collectors
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Archival footage of early Tiki bars and mug designs
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Stories from the 1990s revival movement
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A look at how boutique publishing and early internet forums fueled a global community
The result is a colorful, energetic portrait of a culture built on craftsmanship, escapism, and storytelling.
🍹 The Local Story: How a Mug Collection Became Cabali
At the heart of the film is Fini, a Tucson‑area collector whose passion for Tiki mugs grew into something much larger. His extensive collection—once stored privately—became the foundation for Cabali, a modernist speakeasy‑style Tiki bar that opened in Oro Valley in 2024.
Cabali blends:
- Custom Tiki mug designs
- Bamboo and Polynesian‑inspired décor
- A curated cocktail program
- A gallery‑like display of Fini’s collection
The documentary captures the creative process behind transforming a personal obsession into a fully realized bar concept, showcasing the collaboration between designers, carvers, and mixologists who helped bring Cabali to life.
🎬 From Festival Circuit to Tucson’s Premiere
The film debuted at the Newport Film Festival in October 2025 and has continued to travel the festival circuit, drawing attention for its rich storytelling and cultural insight. The Tucson screening marks its Arizona premiere, ahead of an appearance at the Vero Beach Film Festival later this year.
For local audiences, the event offers a rare opportunity to see a global Tiki story rooted in their own backyard.
Following the screening, attendees can participate in a live Q&A with:
- Director Josh Dragotta
- Featured collector Doug “Fini” Finical
This conversation promises behind‑the‑scenes insights into the filmmaking process, the challenges of documenting Tiki culture, and the evolution of Cabali from concept to reality.
📅 Event Details
Film: Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession
Date: Sunday, March 29
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Marroney Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Rd., University of Arizona
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=cabali
🌴 Why This Screening Matters for Tiki Culture
The Tucson premiere arrives at a moment when Tiki culture is experiencing renewed interest nationwide. The film highlights how:
- Tiki mugs evolved from novelty souvenirs to collectible art
- Modern Tiki bars blend craftsmanship with immersive storytelling
- A once‑niche hobby has become a global creative movement
For Tucson, the event underscores the city’s growing presence in the Tiki world through Cabali and its passionate community of collectors and cocktail enthusiasts.
