The official trailer has been released today for LOMU, a powerful and compelling portrait of the man behind the legend, Jonah Lomu, the most adored son of the Pacific, a legendary All Black, who transcended the game with his immense power and unstoppable determination.
Directed by Vea Mafile’o (New Zealand) and Gavin Fitzgerald (Ireland), LOMU traces Jonah’s journey from the streets of South Auckland to the biggest stages in world rugby, charting his meteoric rise, cultural impact, and the private struggles that unfolded behind the legend.
Ahead of the film’s official premiere, LOMU will return home to Tonga for a special public screening at Teufaiva Rugby Stadium, a landmark celebration honouring one of the Kingdom’s great sons. The event, which will be held on July 29, will pay tribute to Jonah Lomu’s extraordinary legacy, both on and off the field, in the nation that helped shape his identity, values and enduring connection to the Pacific.
Co-director Vea Mafile’o says returning the film to Tonga carries deep personal and cultural significance: “There’s an old Tongan proverb, “Pikipiki hama ka tau vaevae manava,” so bringing LOMU home to Tonga honours that. ““Pikipiki hama ka tau vaevae manava” reminds us that when the seas get rough, we tie our vaka together and help each other breathe. It’s about returning home, using what you have to help the people beside you, sharing strength to steady others.”
For Mafile’o, this reflected not only the spirit of Tonga, but also the spirit of himself. “Jonah was known as someone who always gave to people, to friends, to family, to community and to those around him. In many ways, this screening has become an extension of that same generosity.”
“I’m very grateful to everyone helping make this happen, bringing this film home for a free public screening before cinemas is something that has never been done before. This is so meaningful for the community and will have a ripple effect felt back home in New Zealand and even Australia. The screening will also mark Jonah’s mother’s return home, which makes this moment even more special for all of us. My hope is that all of Tonga comes to watch and celebrate, and together we show the world what our people are capable of,” she adds.
LOMU will premiere in Australia at the Sydney Film Festival on Saturday 13 June, and in Aotearoa on Saturday 1 August at Auckland’s iconic Civic Theatre and will be released in cinemas in Aotearoa and Australia in September.
More than a sports documentary, LOMU is a compelling Pasifika story of identity, faith and resilience. The film explores the immense weight of expectation carried by one of the world’s first global rugby superstars, and the enduring legacy of a man who changed not only how rugby was played, but who the game belonged to.
Through intimate interviews with family, friends, teammates and coaches, alongside rich archival material, including never-before-seen family footage, LOMU reveals the personal cost of global fame. Beneath his on-field dominance was a shy and deeply grounded young man shaped by Tongan values, strong Christian faith, and the pressures of representing both nation and culture on the world stage.
The film is a co-production between Velvet Moss (NZ) and Sylver Entertainment (UK), produced by Simon Lazenby and Victoria Barrell for Sylver Entertainment, and Emma Slade and Victoria Dabbs for Velvet Moss. Oli Harbottle and Anna Godas serve as Executive Producers for Dogwoof, and Desray Armstrong, Leela Menon and Fraser Brown as Executive Producers for New Zealand.
LOMU was made with the financial support of the New Zealand Film Commission / Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Rebate, Images and Sound Ltd and the UK Global Screen Fund.
The film will be released in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment.
