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Rialto Distribution has acquired worldwide rights to Tinā and is planning a nationwide U.S. theatrical release on August 29 for Labor Day weekend.
The film, written and directed by Samoan-New Zealand filmmaker Miki Magasiva, premiered at the 2024 Hawaii International Film Festival, going on to garner multiple accolades including the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Tinā has grossed over $10 million in box office revenue across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific and currently stands as the most successful New Zealand release in nearly a decade. Rialto Distribution will spearhead the rest of the film’s international rollout (excluding Australia and New Zealand) following its U.S. debut.
Magasiva’s feature debut is the deeply moving story of Mareta Percival, played by Anapela Polataivao (Our Flag Means Death, Night Shift), a grieving mother still mourning her daughter’s death in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. When she reluctantly takes a substitute teaching role at an elite, predominantly white, private school, she draws on the musical traditions of her Samoan roots to form a rebellious, soulful student choir, rekindling connection, identity and healing across generations.
The film also stars Antonia Robinson (The New Legends of Monkey, The Brokenwood Mysteries), Beulah Koale (Hawaii Five-O, Next Goal Wins), Nicole Whippy (Madam, My Life Is Murder), Dalip Sondhi (Better Man, Mother of the Bride), Jamie Irvine (The Brokenwood Mysteries, Sweet Tooth) and Alison Bruce (The Power of the Dog, The World’s Fastest Indian).
It was produced by Magasiva alongside Dan Higgins and Mario Gaoa. Jamie Hilton and Victoria Dabbs served as Executive Producers.
“TINĀ is a rare gem – brimming with authenticity, rhythm and emotional power,” said Kelly Rogers, Managing Director of Rialto. “We’re incredibly proud to champion this uniquely Pasifika story and deliver it to global audiences hungry for heartfelt, original cinema.”
“This is a film made by our community, for our community,” Magasiva said, “but from day one, we believed it could resonate everywhere. We’re humbled and excited to finally share TINĀ with audiences across America, especially in cinemas – where stories like ours come to life in full.”
Annie Murray, CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission, praising the U.S. release, called TINĀ “a powerful film that’s attracting record audiences here at home and drawing unprecedented interest from North America. It’s a shining example of the strength and spirit of New Zealand storytelling, and we’re so proud of Miki and the team for sharing this unforgettable film with the world.”
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