• Meet the Filmmakers

    LEA TUPU'ANGA / MOTHER TONGUE

    Directed by Vea Mafile’o
    New Zealand | 17 minutes | Communication Breakdowns

A young speech therapist disconnected from her Tongan heritage lies about her Tongan language skills to get a job. Out of her depth, she must find a way to communicate or risk her patient’s life.

film details

Director: Vea Mafile’o
Producers: Alex Lovell & Eldon Booth
Screenwriter: Luciane Buchanan
Cinematographers: Maria Ines Manchego
Editor: Lisa Greenfield & Anastasia Doniants
Music: Stephen Gallagher
Cast: Luciane Buchanan, Albert Rounds, Mikey Falesiu, Michael Koloi, Elizabeth Thomson
Country: New Zealand
Language: in English and Tongan with English subtitles
Year: 2024
Running Time: 17 minutes
Primary Company: Run Charlie Films
Contact Email: eldon@runcharliefilms.com
Website: runcharliefilms.com

ShortFest 2024