Tongan-New Zealand short film Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue is rapidly gaining momentum in the global awards circuit, positioning itself as a genuine contender for an Academy Award nomination in 2025. Directed by Vea Mafile’o and written by Luciane Buchanan, the film has already made history as the first Tongan production to premiere at Sundance, and its trajectory has only accelerated since.

With more than 20 international festival selections and multiple awards under its belt, the film has built the kind of critical foundation often required for Oscars recognition. Industry insiders have also taken note of the heavyweight support behind the project, including Hollywood star Jason Momoa, who serves as an executive producer. His backing has brought further visibility to a film already celebrated for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity.

The story follows Katherine, a speech-language therapist who hides her inability to speak Tongan, triggering a deeply personal exploration of identity, disconnection, and the pressures Pacific people face to maintain cultural fluency. Its themes of language loss, generational distance, and belonging have resonated strongly with festival audiences and critics alike.

Should the film secure an Oscar nomination, it would mark a landmark moment not only for its creators, but for Tongan and Pacific storytelling on the world stage. For many, Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue represents more than a film, it’s a breakthrough that could open the door for a new wave of indigenous Pacific cinema.

More than a film, Lea Tupu'anga / Mother Tongue represents a larger movement, a reclaiming of Pacific voices and stories, told authentically by those who live them. Its success so far signals growing recognition for Pacific heritage stories on the global stage and offers hope for more pacific stories to follow