International Sámi Film Institute

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ISFI Partners with the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

A FIRESIDE CHAT: with the Sámi Producers in Cannes

COMING SOON TO CINEMAS: Kayara – Fearánat Inkariikkas

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Cannes! Join us at the @thefivenordics and meet the Sámi Producers Marja Bål Nango @7ishfilm and Espen Larsson @finnmarkproductions , both selected participants of this year’s Impact Lab at Marché du Film - Festival de Cannes @mdf_cannes . Marja and Espen will share insights into their upcoming projects and personal reflections on filmmaking, with Anne Lajla Utsi, Director ISFI.

📍May 17, 17:30-18:30
Nordic House, Sq Mérimée 11.

Read more 🌍 www.isfi.no

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Competition Cinema Syntetica S2: Dán vahkkoloahpa čoahkkanedje filbmadahkkit ja neavttárat filbmagilvui dahkat AI-Filmma guovtti beaivvis. Leat gávcci iešguđet filbmajoavkku norggas geat gilvalit, ja miessemánu 21. beaivvi beassá diehtit gii vuittii. Gilvvu čájeha @dennorskefilmskolen .

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Competition Cinema Syntetica S2: This weekend in Guovdageaidnu, filmmakers raced against the clock to create AI-generated films in just two days! Here is the film-team with actors (from left): Andreas Ausland, Antje Schlecht Valio (actor), Nils Gaup, Torsten Trautvetter (actor), Edmond Yang.

What is Cinema Synteticha? Cinema Synthetica 2.0 is a groundbreaking AI film challenge that brings together filmmakers and creative technologists from across the country for Norway’s largest AI film hackathon. Eight teams from all over Norway have been given 48 hours to create their own AI-generated short film — all based on the same original script written by Johan Fasting. The result: eight unique films premiering on Wednesday, May 21, 2025!

The participating teams have been assembled by regional film centers, and the directors are an exciting mix of established filmmakers and emerging talents — including Nils Gaup, Pål Jackman, Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen, Talon Winsnes, Espen Larsson, and more.

At the premiere, we’ll also get an update on the latest AI developments in the film industry, along with engaging panel discussions featuring the filmmakers and screenwriter Johan Fasting. Together, they’ll share insights from the project and explore how AI will shape the future of film production — and what knowledge the industry needs to be part of that transformation. Cinema Synthetica 2.0 is organized by the Filmakademiet, the Norwegian Film School, and Oslo Kreativ AI .

The project is funded with support from the regional film centers:

Mid-Norway Film Center, East Norway Film Center @ostnorskfilm , Viken Film Center @vikenfilmsenter , West Norway Film Center @vestnorskfilm / Bakom, South Norway Film Center , North Norway Film Center / Arctic Film Norway, Filmkraft Rogaland, and the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI).

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Apply for ISFI production grants! Oza ISFI buvttadandoarjaga!

Mii ávžžuhat erenoamážit oanehisfilmmaid ohcat!

We strongly encourage short film projects to apply!

✨ Deadline May 1st. ✨

Apply for production grants for documentaries, feater films, TV series, short films and animations.

The production grant aims to secure the best possible quality of the film project. The grant is given to stimulate films in the Sami language and strengthen Sami filmmakers and producers.

Application deadlines for production grants are February 1st, May 1st, September 1st and December 1st.

The International Sámi Film Institute is dedicated to providing Sámi people with the skills and economic opportunities in developing, producing, and distributing Sámi films in the Sámi language.

🌍 Read more at www.isfi.no

🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

Sáhttát ohcat doarjaga dokumentáraide, guhkes filmmaide, TV-ráidduide, oanehisfilbmii dahje animašuvdna buvttadeapmái.

✨ Ohcanáigemearri lea miessemánu 1.b. ✨

Buvttadandoarjaga ulbmil lea sihkkarastit filbmaprošektii buoremus vejolaš kvalitehta. ISFI buvttadandoarjja lea sámi buvttadanfitnodagaide.

🌍 Loga eambbo min neahttasiiddus www.isfi.no

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Háliidivččetgo dahkat sámi filmmaid? Internašunála Sámi Filbmainstituhtas leat máŋga doarjjaortnega sihke oanehisfilmmaide, guhkesfilmmaide, ráidduide ja dokumentáraide.

Iskka heivešii go du prošektii, ja oza doarjaga min ohcanportála bokte!

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Dreaming of making a Sámi film? The International Sámi Film Institute offers a range of grants to support you at every stage of the creative journey! ISFI supports short film projects, documentaries, feature films, series, and much more!

Our grants include Script, Development, Production, Fast Track, Travel & Competence, Distribution and Dubbing. Find detailed guidelines, criteria, and deadlines on our website:

www.isfi.no

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🎬 Espen Larsson joins the ImpACT Lab at Marché du Film 2025! 🌍

The International Sámi Film Institute and Marché du Film @mdf_cannes are teaming up to support two emerging Sámi producers at this year’s ImpACT Lab. Espen is one of them!

Espen Larsson is a Sámi director, screenwriter, and producer from Finnmark, Norway. Founder of Finnmark Productions, he focuses on authentic Indigenous storytelling, blending cultural depth with compelling narratives. Recent projects include the comedy De Gjenvendte (2024), Sundance-selected doc Folktales (2025), and upcoming Sámi thriller Sápmi (2026), supported by ISFI and ICA Fellowship.

To the ImpACT Lab he brings his action thriller feature filmproject Sápmi. The film explores how historical and contemporary injustices impact Sámi families today, and address themes of identity, land ownership, political activism, and the challenges facing indigenous families in the modern world. @finnmarkproductions

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🎬 Marja Bål Nango joins the ImpACT Lab at Marché du Film 2025! 🌍 @mdf_cannes

This year ISFI has two producers joining the impACT Lab! We are so happy for that!

Marja Bål Nango is a Sámi film director, screenwriter, and producer. As a director, her award-winning films Hilbes biigá and Njuokčamat / The Tongues have screened at major festivals worldwide. She co-founded 7išh Film in 2023 with Ingir Bål Nango to champion Sámi ownership and Indigenous storytelling. In 2025, she produces Romssa Táksi and GUSTO GUSTO and serves as the Sámi producer for The Herder, the company’s debut feature in development.

To the ImpACT Lab she brings her new feature film project The Herder. It is Marja Bål Nango’s debut feature, tackling themes of identity, tradition, and resilience within the Sámi community. Developed through the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and TIFF Filmmaker Lab, the film brings an authentic Sámi perspective to the screen, exploring personal and cultural struggles with depth and nuance. @7ishfilm For more information, check out www.isfi.no

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ISFI bovde sámi filbmadahkkiid searvat gilvui, mas filbmadahkkit miehtá Norgga galget ráhkadit filmma AI-reaidduiguin ovtta vahkkoloahpas. Ulbmil gilvvuin livččii oahppat AI geavahit filbmabuvttadeamis.

Dieđihanáigemearri lea cuoŋománu 22.b!

Eambbo dieđut min neahttasiiddus.

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Join the Competition Cinema Synthetica S2: Make an AI film in two days!

ISFI invites Sámi filmmakers to participate in a competition where filmmakers across Norway are challenged to create a film using AI tools within one weekend.

The goal of the competition is to learn how to use AI in film production.

Deadline to express interest is April 22, 2025!

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ISFI bovde sámi filbmadahkkiid searvat gilvui, mas filbmadahkkit miehtá Norgga galget ráhkadit filmma AI-reaidduiguin ovtta vahkkoloahpas. Ulbmil gilvvuin livččii oahppat AI geavahit filbmabuvttadeamis.

Dieđihanáigemearri lea cuoŋománu 22.b.

Dát govva lea ráhkaduvvon koanstta jierbmin, gilvvu eaŋgalas teavstta vuođul.

Loga eambbo 🌍www.isfi.no

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Join the Competition Cinema Synthetica S2: Make an AI film in two days! ISFI invites Sámi filmmakers to participate in a competition where filmmakers across Norway are challenged to create a film using AI tools within one weekend.

The goal of the competition is to learn how to use AI in film production.

Deadline to express interest: April 22, 2025!

Read more on 🌍 www.isfi.no

This picture is made with AI.

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Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop in SÁPMI: Twelve Indigenous screenwriters from across the Arctic have come together in Guovdageaidnu for the first in-person session of the Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop. Each participant is developing their own feature film project with support from experienced mentors.

In Guovdageaidnu, they had the chance to gather, write, and dive deeper into their stories : with ongoing mentor sessions, feedback, and inspiring masterclasses throughout the week.

The program began with an online session in October 2024 and runs until October 2025. By the end, each writer will have completed a first draft of their feature film script.

This initiative is a collaboration between the International Sámi Film Institute and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund @aiff.no , made possible with support from Samfunnsløftet/Sparebanken Nord-Norge, CICCS, York University, and the Council of Canada. Read more about the program on www.isfi.no