Directed by Vea Mafile’o and Gavin Fitzgerald, LOMU promises to deliver an intimate portrait of one of the greatest sporting figures New Zealand has ever produced, tracing Lomu’s remarkable journey from the streets of South Auckland to becoming a global sporting phenomenon whose influence transcended rugby itself.

More than simply a sports documentary, LOMU seeks to explore the man behind the myth, examining the cultural significance, personal sacrifices and immense pressures faced by one of the world’s first truly global rugby superstars.

Watch the full trailer for LOMU below:

Ahead of its official release, the film will return home to Tonga for a special public screening at Teufaiva Rugby Stadium on July 29. The event will serve as a celebration of Lomu’s enduring legacy and his deep connection to the Kingdom of Tonga, whose values, culture and people played a profound role in shaping his identity.

For co-director Vea Mafile’o, bringing the film back to Tonga represents a deeply meaningful moment.

Drawing upon the Tongan proverb “Pikipiki hama ka tau vaevae manava,” Mafile’o explained that the screening reflects the idea of communities coming together, sharing strength and supporting one another through life’s challenges.
She also noted that the event embodies the generosity that defined Lomu throughout his life.

“Jonah was known as someone who always gave to people, to friends, to family, to community and to those around him,” said Mafile’o. “In many ways, this screening has become an extension of that same generosity.”

The free public screening is expected to be a landmark cultural event, made even more significant by the return of Lomu’s mother to Tonga for the occasion. Mafile’o expressed hope that the screening would become a moment of collective pride and celebration for Tongans both at home and across the Pacific.

LOMU looks set to offer audiences unprecedented access to the life of the rugby icon through intimate interviews with family members, friends, teammates and coaches, alongside extensive archival material and never-before-seen family footage.

The documentary explores not only Lomu’s extraordinary achievements on the field but also the personal cost of global fame. Beneath the powerful runs and iconic performances was a humble and deeply grounded man whose life was shaped by his Tongan heritage, Christian faith and the immense responsibility of representing both his people and his nation on the world stage.

For many rugby fans, Jonah Lomu was the player who changed the sport forever. His explosive performances at the 1995 Rugby World Cup transformed him into a global icon and inspired an entire generation of athletes throughout the Pacific and beyond.

Now, LOMU seeks to tell the complete story of that remarkable journey.

The documentary will premiere in Australia at the Sydney Film Festival on June 13 before making its Aotearoa premiere at Auckland’s Civic Theatre on August 1. LOMU will then arrive in cinemas across New Zealand and Australia this September.

Judging by its first trailer, this looks set to be far more than a sporting documentary. Instead, LOMU appears poised to become a moving celebration of identity, resilience, faith and the lasting legacy of one of rugby’s greatest sons.

Image: MadMan Films

The post ‘LOMU’ Trailer Arrives Ahead Of Emotional Homecoming Screening In Tonga appeared first on SpicyPulp.

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lomu – Film (@lomu.film)

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

The post ‘LOMU’ Set to Shake NZIFF as a Towering Tribute to All Black great Jonah Lomu appeared first on SpicyPulp.