God Bless You, Mr Kopu: World Premiere at TIFF 2026

Los Angeles, CA/Australia/NZ — GOD BLESS YOU, MR KOPU, the thriller marking the feature debut of Tongan Kiwi writer-director Alex Liu, has been selected to have its World Premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film stars Simon Rex (Red Rocket, Easy’s Waltz), Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (Predator: Badlands, Red White & Brass) and Grace Palmer (Animal Control, Adrift).

The story follows Mafu (Schuster-Koloamatangi), a struggling Tongan immigrant who becomes the protege of charming and successful American salesman Marco Cass (Rex). What begins as a dream job soon unravels into a living nightmare as Mafu begins to question the methods of his enigmatic mentor.

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Liu’s short films SMOG and The Red Room both won Best Film, Māori and Pasifika at the New Zealand International Film Festival.

Director Alex Liu said “If I had to describe the film in three words, it would be: Pacific New Wave, a term I believe reflects the growing trend of Polynesian filmmakers looking to break out of expected norms when it comes to telling their stories. GOD BLESS YOU, MR KOPU is part of that different type of Pacific filmmaking emerging in Aotearoa – deeply personal stories about modern Pasifika identity that can sit comfortably alongside the genre films I grew up watching.

GOD BLESS YOU, MR KOPU is a film I’ve always dreamed of seeing on the big screen, and I am deeply honoured that the film will have its World Premiere at TIFF,” added Liu. “If the selection inspires one more Polynesian filmmaker to pursue the story they thought couldn’t get made, then that already makes this journey worth it.”

Radiant Films International boards for international sales with AC Independent, a division of AC Studios, repping North American rights with distribution conversations underway ahead of TIFF. Umbrella Entertainment will distribute the film in New Zealand and Australia.

“Alex Liu’s wildly original film stands out in a crowded marketplace,” said Steinbauer, “as the two lead performances elevate this crime thriller to a provocative conversation starter about power, race, and belonging.”

GOD BLESS YOU, MR KOPU is an official New Zealand/Australia co-production, produced by Roxi Bull for Velvet Moss and Tania Chambers for Feisty Dame Productions, with Velvet Moss’ Emma Slade and Timpson Films’ Ant Timpson as Executive Producers alongside Rex, who executive produces under his Crispy Productions, LLC banner. Truant Pictures’ Toby Nalbandian and Gregory Schmidt, Radiant’s Mimi Steinbauer and A.C. Neel, Umbrella’s Ari Harrison and Jasmin McSweeney and Sandbox’s Grady Habib, as well as Beatriz Martins and Noah Cliff also serve as Executive Producers.

Producers Roxi Bull (Velvet Moss) and Tania Chambers (Feisty Dame Productions) said “When you’ve got the right experience on your team, and the right values driving you, no matter how hard the road gets, you find the greatest joy in the process, and you get to make a truly marvellous film. That’s exactly what happened on GOD BLESS YOU, MR KOPU, and to see it selected for a World Premiere at TIFF is a moment we will never forget.”

Behind the camera, Australian cinematographer Mick McDermott teamed with a talented New Zealand crew, including Production Designer Z. Rewiri (Wiri) Newton, Costume Designer Sacha Teuila Young and Hair & Makeup Designer Stef Knight, to bring the film’s sharp, high-contrast visual style to life, reflecting the trans-Tasman spirit of the official co-production both on screen and behind it.

GOD BLESS YOU, MR KOPU is produced in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, Screenwest and Lotterywest and Truant Pictures, and financed with support from Hinterland, Sandbox, the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate and the Western Australian Post-Production, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive.