OFELAŠ Pathfinder

This is a practical cultural protocol and guide for filmmakers who want to include Sámi themes, topics, and persons in their movies concerning how to approach this work in a respectful manner and also provides guidance for avoiding misrepresentation and appropriation.

WHY?

When you arrive in Sápmi, the traditional areas of our people, you arrive at another culture, another language, and another people – the Sámi. We are the Indigenous peoples of this land, meaning that our people have been here for centuries. We own our culture, our languages, our stories, and our artifacts. With your film idea or your film team, you are visitors to our homelands.

 

“We want to tell our own stories.”

 

Your response might be: “But everyone has the freedom of speech to tell any story.” In a privileged position – and from a non-Indigenous point of view – yes, that might be true. But most Indigenous people have not been and are still not in the same privileged position, meaning the resources you have available for your film productions are a matter of course to you. That is not the case for our filmmakers. We are in a time where diversity is a rising focus in the International Film Industry, and the expectation for change is strong, and representativity and inclusion are core values.

 

Nothing about us without us

Nothing about us without us  is a significant phrase that many Indigenous people identify with. It means that we assert our right to maintain, control, protect, and develop our cultural heritage and intellectual property and that this right must be respected by every filmmaker who wants to work with Sámi and other Indigenous stories, cultures, and traditions.

These are questions that content creators should ask themselves, individually and collectively:

  1. Responsibility

    When the Sámi people may not have the same opportunity/resources as I do to tell their stories, Why am I the right person to tell this story?

  2. Reciprocity

    How will my film production benefit the Sámi community, and what am I giving back?

  3. Awareness

    Is it right for me to take up this space, and is my project in any way silencing Sámi voices?

  4. Intent

    Why do I include Sámi content in my story?

what is a cultural Protocol

This document is meant to be a cultural protocol guide for filmmaking in the Sámi context. A cultural protocol is a way of navigating relationships within Sámi or other Indigenous communities in culturally appropriate, respectful, and ethical ways, to create connections built on trust and understanding.

The Pathfinders Vision

Our vision is to have a sustainable and authentic Sámi film industry where the Sámi people are in the lead of the development and production of our stories on screen. We value respectful collaborations with the professional film industry in the Nordic countries and around the world.

The Pathfinders Goal

This Pathfinder is the starting point of the Sámi film industry’s intention to establish a common practice and framework for film/content production, with particular attention for important funding agencies, such as: producers, funders, and filmmakers.

WHY A PROTOCOL

Entering Sápmi: Our Land and Culture

When coming to our territory, you are entering our land, our country, Sápmi – and there are rules you must follow, as you would with any international co-production. Filming in Sápmi or using Sámi culture as inspiration requires respect, responsibility, and understanding of the context you are working within.

Collaboration and Reciprocity

We expect meaningful collaboration and clear reciprocity. Your production should contribute to the positive development of the Sámi film industry and involve Sámi filmmakers and cultural experts. This protocol is your guide, a practical tool to help you navigate your Sámi co-production journey with care and integrity.

Who is this guide for?

The Pathfinder guidelines is intended for productions that involve Sámi content—such as stories, characters, cultural elements, or traditions—focus on Sámi individuals or themes, or are set in Sápmi or Sámi communities. The best practice is to use The Pathfinder as early as possible in a production. In any case, prior to completion of the script.

The Pathfinder has been developed as a tool for:

  • Script writers
  • Film directors
  • Producers
  • Production teams
  • Film productions from outside the Sámi regions
  • Funders of film projects that include Sámi themes and/or characters
  • Sámi people who want to participate in film productions with Sámi content

HOw to use the protocol

Dialogue

The production company is encouraged to contact the International Sámi Film Institute. If the production is taken into consideration, the project will be sent for evaluation by the Sámi storytelling and cultural expert group.

CHECKLIST

10 Key checkpoints

Any depictions of the Sámi people and culture should be based on the principles of honesty, truthfulness and decency. This mandates respect for Sámi cultures and heritages, including recognition of Sámi cultural and intellectual property rights, maintenance of cultural integrity, and respect for cultural beliefs and for individuals and their communities.
Does respect and cultural sensitivity take place in your production?

CONTACT

International Sámi Film Institute

Buletjávri
N-9520 Guovdageaidnu
Norway

Org. nr

909819498759

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