Jason Momoa Steps In as Executive Producer for Tongan Film Now in Oscars Consideration
After taking film festivals across the world by storm, Tongan Filmmakers Luciane Buchanan and Vea Mafileo are now eyeing out the Oscars! Their short film “Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue” has been winning hearts everywhere it screens, and now the pair are gearing up for their biggest milestone yet.
Jason Momoa has officially joined the project as an executive producer, supporting Buchanan’s script and performance and strengthening the film’s Pacific Islander creative leadership. The short has also been officially submitted for Academy Awards consideration in the Live Action Short category, pushing the team toward their biggest milestone yet. Momoa joins Frankie Adams as part of the producing team.
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The film’s latest achievement marks another milestone. Momoa praised the film’s heart and cultural grounding, saying “Pacific Islander stories carry a depth, spirit, and ancestral connection that deserve to be seen and celebrated. Luciane’s work in Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue is a beautiful example of that, honest, vulnerable, and rooted in heritage. I’m honored to support her vision and the incredible team behind this film. Maholo.”
“Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue,” follows the journey of a young Tongan speech language therapist. This unique tale unfolds the dynamic between the therapist, fluent in English only, and her client, who exclusively communicates in Tongan.
Written by Luciane Buchanan and Directed by seasoned Documentary Director Vea Mafile’o, the two reflect on what it means as Tongan women in the scripted space at Sundance.
Mafile’o stated “It’s pretty overwhelming and a super exciting space to be in…Previous Polynesian NZFC films that have screened here have been by a handful of Māori and Samoan directors. They really have paved the way for Luciane and I. Itʻs cool that us Taʻahine Tonga can add our Tongan film to the mix”
Buchanan agreed expressing her gratitude for the platform “I feel really grateful that something we poured our hearts into many moons ago gets to be premiered for the first time with an international audience and at this iconic festival.”
Speaking at their screening of "Lea Tupu'anga" at Sundance Film Festival, the pair have connected with many other inspiring filmmakers and were in awe of the community experience.
Mafile’o shared “...At our world premiere, we were pretty blown away by the enthusiastic response from the crowd who really connected with our Tongan film. It was a Tongan film but it transcends cultures.”
While a great reception from the international audience was great, Buchanan was more concerned about her own. As it’s a Tongan film made by Tongans, for Tongans, it was important to her that they received it well.
“I think last night as much as I wanted other people in the audience to enjoy our film, it was our Tongan friends joined us at the screening who I was most worried about in terms of their reception to the film. It was only till after the program was over, they embraced us with so much ofa and pride. That really was a special moment.”
It was a special occasion for not just the cast and crew, but also for Polynesian Filmmakers across the Motu.
The Dynamic duo look forward to bringing their special film home for all to see
Catch more about Lucianne and Vea in below
Luciane Buchanan My World
Vea Mafile'o Filmmaker On The Rise
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