The Nuku’alofa Film Festival was founded in 2015, by artistic director Sisi’uno Helu and other filmmakers from New Zealand of Tongan descent. It’s aim is to empower Tongan and Tagata Pasifika artists to tell their own stories by amplifying their voices through film.

With 4 past iterations, The Nuku’alofa Film Festival has screened a wide tapestry of award winning films, including Leitis in Waiting, The Head and the Hand, Lady Eva, For My Father’s Kingdom and more. The Film Festival has served as one of few platforms to highlight both local and international screen artistry within the Pacific. With humble beginnings, the NFF rallied support of local partners on a grassroots level. Creating intimate and meaningful relationships with filmmakers and local organisation in Tonga. Since its hiatus, there has been interest for the Festival’s return.

Our goal is to re-establish the presence of the Nuku’alofa Film Festival in Tonga.