ALOHA & TALOFA

My name is Talia To‘omalatai-Thompson, a Samoan and Native Hawaiian filmmaker, director, producer, and founder from La‘ie, Hawai‘i. I’m an island girl at heart, a former NCAA student-athlete, and someone who lives and breathes sports. But storytelling? That’s my heritage.

In May 2018, I embarked on my first major film project, Pacific Roots: Our Football Legacy starring 4x Super Bowl Champion, Jesse Sapolu. It is a story that intertwines faith, family, culture, immigration, education, and history. The paradox is that it has everything—and yet nothing—to do with the game of football. This project became the foundation of my mission: to amplify Pacific Islander voices through media.

A few years later, I founded Tusitala Productions LLC, a company dedicated to crafting culture-centric stories through the lens of sports. As the push for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reaches new heights, my goal is to ensure that authentic Pacific Islander stories take their rightful place in mainstream media.

Beyond filmmaking, I also established the To‘omalatai Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on creating career pathways for Pacific Islanders in sports and storytelling. Through internships, workshops, and mentorship programs, I am committed to preserving the histories of our islands while opening doors for the next generation.

Mahalo and Fa’afetai Tele Lava to supporters everywhere.