For My Father's Kingdom Film Screening

It's Misinale time and for many Tongan families, it can be an enormous financial burden. In this documentary, filmmaker Vea Mafile'o captures her father Saia's dedication to fundraising for the annual Misinale, to the point that it splinters his marriage and strains his relationship with his children. Vea, along with her parents and siblings, return to Tonga to attend the Misinale and learn why the financial sacrifice matters to her father. Vea raises questions about the relationship between money and the church in Tongan culture, questions that polarizes the family even more. 

For My Father’s Kingdom had its world premiere at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival, placed 3rd in the People’s Choice Award at Melbourne International Film Festival and was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Vea is currently in Utah attending the Sundance Film Festival where her first drama-based short film 'Lea Tupu'anga: Mother Tongue' was selected in a field of 12,098 submissions where only 53 short films were chosen to debut at the festival. Vea is at Sundance with her production team and Tongan actress, Luciane Buchanan, star of Netflix's Night Agent and The New Legend of Monkey. Luciane wrote and is the lead actor in 'Lea Tupu'anga.' Luciane also stars in upcoming Jason Momoa project 'Chief of War' which will be released on Apple TV later in 2024. 

Vea is of Scottish, English, Māori and Tongan heritage. Her father hails from Tongoleleka, Ha'apai.