About This Film
Festival Year: 2025
Run Time: 17 Minutes
Film Type: Short
Animated: No
Countr(ies): New Zealand, Tonga
Language: English, Other Language(s)
English Subtitles: No
Captions: None
Film Overview
Original Title: Lea Tupu'anga / Mother Tongue
English Title: Mother Tongue
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 Contact: Run Charlie Films
Film Website: https://runcharliefilms.com
Film Email: alex@runcharliefilms.com
Cast & Crew
Directed By
Vea Mafile'o
Produced By
Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth
Screenwriting
Luciane Buchanan
Cinematographers
Maria Ines Manchego
Editors
Lisa Greenfield, Anastasia Doniants
Principal Cast
Luciane Buchanan, Albert Rounds, Mikey Falesiu, Michael Koloi, Elizabeth Thomson