Tansley’s ‘Tenor: My Name is Pati’ Wins Hearts in Vancouver
Congratulations to DEGANZ board member Rebecca Tansley, whose film Tenor: My Name is Pati won the Portraits Audience Award at the 2026 Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
The award is determined by festival audiences and Vancouver moviegoers, and is a testament to the film’s international appeal.
The story centres on Pene Pati, his brother Amitai, and the family and cultural traditions that shaped their lives. Growing up in the South Island, Pene Pati enjoyed singing with his family. But he never imagined one day he’d perform on some of the world’s leading opera stages. The documentary brings together family archives, candid conversations, and musical performances. It explores Pati’s and Amitai’s Samoan identity, careers, and close family ties.
The win follows the film’s already profound success after it grossed more than NZ$1.2 million at the New Zealand box office. It reached #1 on the country’s daily box-office chart during its opening week.
At the award ceremony, Rebecca said she was thrilled that the Vancouver audience responded “so overwhelmingly positively” to the film.
Tenor continues its North American festival engagements, with upcoming screenings in Florida and Ontario. We look forward to hearing more about the film’s reception in the coming weeks!
Last updated on 22 October 2026
