Tinā, a festival film favourite, reaches a broader audience

Tinā is an inspiring drama, a tear-jerker with humour, and the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival.

Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite, wealthy private school and is surprised to find children crying out for guidance, inspiration, and love.

Using the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir, bringing them together while unexpectedly rediscovering her passion again for being a teacher and mother.

The film’s Director Miki Magasiva, and actor Anapela Polataivao chatted with RTRFM’s Danae Gibson who began by asking them when they first worked together.

Tinā won the Audience Award at the 2025 Perth Festival and you can see it again from Thursday, the first of May.