The acclaimed documentary continues its international journey with festival screenings in Vancouver, San Francisco, Naples and Windsor
After a successful theatrical run in New Zealand, TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI is preparing to reach audiences across North America this fall, with screenings scheduled at major film festivals and a special cinema event featuring tenor Pene Pati and director Rebecca Tansley.
The documentary follows internationally acclaimed Samoan tenor Pene Pati and his brother Amitai Pati, tracing their journey from their Samoan heritage and upbringing in New Zealand to the world’s leading opera stages.
Directed by New Zealand filmmaker Rebecca Tansley, the film combines music, family archive footage, performances and intimate moments away from the stage to create a personal portrait of two brothers whose lives have been shaped by their shared love of singing.
From New Zealand to North America
The North American run comes after a strong theatrical reception in New Zealand, where TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI reached No. 1 on the daily box-office chart during its opening week and went on to gross NZ$1.2 million.
The upcoming screenings will introduce the film to audiences in Canada and the United States, beginning with its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
From Vancouver, the documentary will travel to San Francisco for a special screening and Q&A before continuing to the Naples International Film Festival for its East Coast premiere. The film will then return to Canada for the Windsor International Film Festival in November.
A Story That Goes Beyond Opera
While opera provides the backdrop for the film, TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI is ultimately a story about family, identity and the bond between two brothers.
Pene and Amitai’s journey is presented through a mixture of performances, personal archive material and candid moments that reveal their humor, affection and cultural pride.
The film’s focus on their relationship also opens the story to audiences who may not consider themselves opera enthusiasts. Rather than concentrating only on performances and career milestones, the documentary explores the people behind the voices and the family experiences that helped shape them.
Vancouver International Film Festival Hosts the Canadian Premiere
The film’s North American festival journey begins in Vancouver, where it will receive its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Two screenings are scheduled:
October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
International Village 9
October 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
International Village 10
Director Rebecca Tansley will attend the festival.
The Vancouver screenings provide the first Canadian opportunity to experience the documentary as it begins its wider North American festival run.
Pene Pati Returns to San Francisco
On October 11, TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI will receive a special cinema screening at San Francisco’s Roxie Theater.
The screening begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by an in-person Q&A with Pene Pati and Rebecca Tansley.
The event has an especially meaningful connection to Pati’s career. He is a former San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow and will return to the San Francisco Opera stage shortly after the screening as Chevalier des Grieux in Massenet’s MANON, running from October 15 through November 1.
For local audiences, the October 11 event offers an opportunity to see Pati’s personal story on screen before experiencing his work in a major operatic role later in the month.
East Coast Premiere Arrives in Naples
The film continues its North American journey at the Naples International Film Festival in Florida, where it has been selected as a juried film.
The East Coast premiere will take place on October 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Cinema Under the Stars in Norris Garden.
A second screening follows on October 24 at 4:15 p.m. at Paragon Theaters at the Pavilion.
Rebecca Tansley will be in attendance at the festival.
The two Naples screenings give audiences multiple opportunities to experience the documentary as part of the festival’s programming.
Windsor International Film Festival
After its Florida appearance, TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI returns to Canada for the Windsor International Film Festival.
The screening is scheduled for November 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kelly Theatre in the Capitol Theatre.
The Windsor appearance adds another Canadian stop to the film’s expanding fall itinerary.
Rebecca Tansley’s Connection to Music and Documentary
Tansley’s background makes her a natural fit for a story that brings together documentary filmmaking and the world of classical music.
The New Zealand writer, director and producer is the founder of Minerva Productions. Her previous documentary work includes CROSSING RACHMANINOFF and THE HEART DANCES, while her opera-related projects include SEMELE and THE STRANGEST OF ANGELS.
With TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI, Tansley turns her attention to the personal journey behind two performers whose careers have taken them from New Zealand to international stages.
Pene Pati’s International Career
Pene Pati has built an international career performing at some of the world’s major opera institutions.
The Samoan tenor is a former San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow and has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra national de Paris and London’s Royal Opera House.
His recorded work for Warner Classics includes PENE PATI, NESSUN DORMA and SERENATA A NAPOLI.
The documentary provides another perspective on the artist, moving beyond his international career to explore the family and cultural experiences that helped shape his journey.
A Film Designed to Connect Through Music
For Rebecca Tansley, the North American screenings represent another stage in the documentary’s journey after its reception in New Zealand.
“The response in New Zealand has been wonderful, and it is incredibly exciting to now see the film beginning to travel across North America,” Tansley said.
She described Pene and Amitai’s music, humor and family story as elements that have brought audiences joy, with the upcoming screenings offering opportunities to share that experience with new viewers.
Fall 2026 Screening Schedule
| Location | Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, BC | Vancouver International Film Festival | October 8 | 6:00 p.m. |
| Vancouver, BC | Vancouver International Film Festival | October 11 | 10:30 a.m. |
| San Francisco, CA | Roxie Theater | October 11 | 6:00 p.m. |
| Naples, FL | Naples International Film Festival | October 23 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Naples, FL | Naples International Film Festival | October 24 | 4:15 p.m. |
| Windsor, ON | Windsor International Film Festival | November 4 | 6:00 p.m. |
Additional North American screenings and festival announcements are expected to be announced as the film’s theatrical and festival journey continues.
About TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI
Directed by Rebecca Tansley, TENOR: MY NAME IS PATI follows Samoan tenor Pene Pati and his brother Amitai as they reflect on their family, cultural roots and shared musical journey.
The film is distributed globally, excluding premiere rights in France and Germany, by Mercury Studios, which represents a large catalogue of music-focused film and television programming.