Nuku'alofa Film Festival (NFF) will return from 21 October - 26 October, 2024. Submissions open from June 3, 2024, and are open to local and international feature films, feature documentaries, and short films of any genre as well as student shorts focused on climate. Films under 30 minutes are classified as shorts.

SUBMISSION DATES
Submissions open for all films: 3 June, 2024
Submissions close for all films: 1 October, 2024
Filmmaker notification: 14 October, 2024

ENTRY FEES
-Narrative and Documentary Features: $10USD excluding FilmFreeway fees.
-Shorts (excludes Student Climate Shorts): $5USD excluding FilmFreeway fees.
-Can be paid via FilmFreeway by using Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Discover, UnionPay, or PayPal.
-Fees will not be reimbursed if not selected for the Festival.

FEE EXEMPTIONS
-All submissions by Tongan filmmakers will be exempt from entry fees
-All Student Climate Shorts submissions will be exempt from entry fees

ABOUT NFF
The inaugural Nuku’alofa Film Festival debuted in 2015 with the aim of showcasing locally produced content to the public, free of charge. The event featured three short films, retelling Tongan and Samoan myths, alongside a documentary, all crafted by local talent. Open to all, the festival drew an audience of approximately 300 attendees, prompting the decision to establish it as an annual affair. Despite challenges such as limited access to technical training and equipment, the festival remains committed to fostering local filmmaking and storytelling. Embracing a diverse range of genres, themes, and production processes—from fiction to documentary, contemporary issues to romance, and video to animation—the festival celebrates creativity and storytelling as its cornerstone.

Awards & Prizes

Festival Grand Prize
The Festival Grand Prize celebrates the film that truly embodies Tongan storytelling. This film will express creativity, innovation, and passion for the stories around us. All submissions will be eligible for the Festival Grand Prize whether they're shorts, narratives, or documentaries spanning any genre.

Student Climate Shorts Award
The Student Climate Shorts Award aims to inspire High School students to express their creativity through storytelling in film. The Student Climate Shorts award is presented to the short that heightens awareness and highlights the impact of the global climate emergency on our Pacific Islands as well as the resilience and strength displayed by our people. Films must be under 30 minutes in duration and can be captured using various devices, from professional cameras to smartphones; however, visuals must be shot in landscape with clear audio.

Rules & Terms

All International entries are welcome. Pasifika filmmakers (particularly Tongans and Tongans from the diaspora) are strongly encouraged to enter.

We aim to maintain the "public and open to all" spirit, and therefore all entries must be respectful of Tongan cultural restrictions (no nudity, no intimacy, no unjustified swearing).

If the movie is not in English language, clear subtitles must be provided (even if it is in Tongan).

If selected, entries will be showcased online, potentially on TV Tonga, and at a pan-regional event that is still being finalized. Additionally, they may be screened locally or in the outer islands for secondary events, unless expressly prohibited by the director.

All entries must be a secure online screener and submitted to FilmFreeway. We will not accept submissions via email.

Student Climate Shorts must be under 30 minutes in duration and can be captured using various devices, from professional cameras to smartphones; however, visuals must be shot in landscape and with clear audio.

We cannot provide refunds if your film is not selected

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sebastian J. Lowe

    Fantastic communication throughout the whole festival. Unfortunately, I could't make it but appreciated our film being included. Ngā mihi.

    October 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your kind words!
    It's been fantastic to share your work, that was such a wonderful sensorial experience on the big screen in the dark. Thank you so much for submitting and contributing to the diversity of Moana stories we can share here in Tonga.

  • jeremy macey

    I didn't attend but great communication from the friendly team. Good work!

    December 2018
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  • Isack Hoppitt

    Unfortunately I couldn't attend, but communication was very clear and friendly. The festival's focuses are very important to the realities and needs of our Pacific Islands.

    June 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Isack! We only wish to be able to share more stories from around the ocean. Keep up the great work, and hopefully see you soon!

  • Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

    As one of very few film festivals in the Pacific Islands, this is an amazing opportunity to screen and view films about this beautiful and culturally rich part of the world. The organizers are doing an amazing job of bringing a rich collection of short and feature films to Tonga, aptly named as the "Friendly Islands." Worth a trip!

    October 2017
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