‘LOMU’ Set to Shake NZIFF as a Towering Tribute to All Black great Jonah Lomu
Following an acclaimed world premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival, LOMU charges onto the global stage with unstoppable momentum, and now it’s coming home. Set to land as the Centrepiece film of the 2026 Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF), this powerful documentary will premiere in Aotearoa at Auckland’s iconic Civic Theatre on August 1.
Directed by Vea Mafile’o and Gavin Fitzgerald, LOMU is no ordinary sports documentary. This is a deeply human portrait of Jonah Lomu: the South Auckland kid who became a global force of nature. From the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau to the grandest stages in world rugby, the film charts his meteoric rise and seismic impact on the game, while peeling back the layers of the man behind the myth.
Through intimate interviews with family, friends, teammates and coaches, alongside a treasure trove of archival material, including never-before-seen family footage, LOMU reveals the quieter truths of a global icon. Beneath the powerhouse presence was a grounded, humble young man guided by Tongan values, deep faith, and the immense responsibility of representing both culture and country.
When Jonah Lomu exploded onto the international scene, rugby was never the same again. At just 19, he became the youngest All Black in history, redefining what was possible with a blend of size, speed and sheer force that left defenders in his wake. The film builds to the unforgettable 1995 Rugby World Cup — a tournament where Lomu didn’t just dominate, he transformed the sport into a global spectacle.
Yet behind the highlights and headlines, a silent battle was unfolding. LOMU doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of his kidney disorder, offering a sobering look at the personal cost of greatness and the resilience that defined his later years.
At its core, LOMU is a story of identity — a Pasifika narrative that pulses with pride, faith and resilience. It explores the weight carried by one of rugby’s first global superstars, and the cultural significance of a man who changed not just how the game is played, but who it belongs to.
For co-director Vea Mafile’o, bringing the film back to Aotearoa carries profound meaning: this is more than a premiere — it’s a homecoming. A tribute not just to Lomu’s legacy, but to the community and culture that shaped him.
Big, emotional, and deeply resonant, this is a documentary that hits with the same force as Lomu in full flight — unstoppable, unforgettable, and proudly ours.
With its Centrepiece status locked in, LOMU is shaping up to be one of NZIFF 2026’s defining cinematic events.
Image: MadMan Films
