Pacific filmmakers earn a seat at the Academy Awards voting table

A Pacific filmmaker says being invited to join the organisation behind the Oscars gives Pacific storytelling a seat at the table.

This comes as two respected Pasifika fillmakers prepare to help decide the world’s biggest film awards.

Vea Mafile'o, a Tongan-New Zealand filmmaker and producer, and Tusi Tamasese, a Sāmoan director and writer, are among 529 artists and film professionals invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year.

The invitation means both will become members of the academy, helping choose future Academy Awards winners alongside some of the world’s leading filmmakers.

Speaking with Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata on Pacific Mornings, Mafile’o, the co-founder of South Auckland creative hub Taro Patch Creative, said the news initially came as a surprise.

“I actually thought it was a prank because I hadn't got my email and someone sent me a congratulations message via Facebook,” she says.

Listen to Vea Mafile’o’s full interview below.

“After it being actually confirmed, it's just such an amazing opportunity. I just feel really blessed. Hopefully we get to have more of a voice and input into that kind of global market scene.

“There are big productions like Chief of War and Disney where Hollywood has recognised that Pasifika storytelling is on the rise. This kind of confirms that as well. For all of us, it’s kind of giving us a seat at the table.”

Mafile'o has spent more than 20 years telling Pacific stories through film. Her work includes the acclaimed documentary For My Father's Kingdom, the Sundance-selected short Lea Tupu'anga – Mother Tongue, and her latest documentary Lomu, celebrating the life and legacy of rugby great Jonah Lomu.

She is also taking Lomu directly to communities across New Zealand and Tonga before its cinema release, saying Pacific audiences should be the first to see stories that reflect their lives.

“As we start to make more and more of our films, it's really important for distributors and producers to know that we need to be making for our people first.

“So taking Lomu back and having a free public screening before the New Zealand premiere and before it goes into cinemas is really quite a unique opportunity and hasn't been done before.”

Joining Mafile'o in the academy’s 2026 class is Tamasese, whose debut feature, The Orator - O Le Tulafale, made history as New Zealand's first submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Shot entirely in the Sāmoan language with an all-Sāmoan cast, the film represents a major milestone as New Zealand's first-ever entry into the best foreign-language film category at the Academy Awards.

Tamasese followed this success with One Thousand Ropes, a powerful character drama exploring universal themes of family and redemption. His invitation to the directors branch further highlights the rising prominence of authentic Pacific voices in world cinema.

This year's academy invitations include 95 Oscar nominees and 21 winners. Women make up 42 per cent of the new intake while 56 per cent come from underrepresented communities, and 53 per cent hail from 60 countries and territories outside the United States.

Pacific filmmakers are part of the 529 artists and executives invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2026. Photo/Unsplash

The academy's selection process for its 19 branches relies strictly on sponsorship rather than direct application.

Academy Award nominees receive automatic consideration, while other candidates require sponsorship from two existing members within their specific branch.

In a press release, Bill Kramer, the Chief Executive of the academy, and Lynette Howell Taylor, the President of the academy, express great enthusiasm for the incoming class.

They say they are delighted to invite the remarkable group of film professionals from around the world.