Je’vida’ part of Toronto International Film Festival official selection

The Third Sámi Film to Toronto International Film Festival

The feature film Jevida, directed by Katja Gauriloff and co-written by Katja Gauriloff and Niillas Holmberg is part of the official selection to TIFF.

– With ‘Je’vida’ as the third Sámi film to be announced at one of the world’s biggest and most important film festivals, we are overjoyed by this incredible news. This is a remarkable year for Sámi cinema at TIFF. This emphasizes that the selection of Sami films for TIFF demonstrates their ability to compete on an international level, says Anne Lajla Utsi, CEO International Sámi Film Institute.

Jevida is the third Sámi film announced at TIFF and adds to the momentum of Sámi cinema’s presence at TIFF. Also the documentary Máhccan / Homecoming by Suvi West and the feature film Eallogierdu / The tundra Within me by Sara Margrethe Oskale is premiering at TIFF this year.

Je’vida had its premiere earlier this year at the Tribeca International Narrative Competition, captivating audiences and critics with its poignant exploration of Sámi identity across history. The film intricately weaves together three distinct eras to delve into the post-war fate of Sámis in Finland.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place in September in Canada’s biggest city, Toronto. It is anticipated that there will be almost 500,000 visitors attending the festival. Anne Lajla Utsi emphasizes that the selection of Sámi films in TIFF demonstrates their ability to compete on an international level.

– This recognition is crucial for the future of Sámi films, opening doors to opportunities and increased attention. Moreover, the popularity of Sámi films on an international scale holds significance for their continued funding and support, says CEO Anne Lajla Utsi, at International Sámi Film Institute.

One of the world’s largest and most prestigious film festivals

The Toronto International Film Festival stands as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious film festivals, also holding an A-festival status. This year marks the first time that three Sami films have been selected to TIFF. Renowned as one of the industry’s most critical film sales events, the festival attracts buyers from all corners of the globe seeking to purchase and screen films.

The documentary Máhccan / Homecomming will have its premieres at 8th and 9th of september. The feature films Eallogierdu has it premieres at 11th and 13th of september. Je´vida will be screened 14th and 15th September.

 

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More about the films

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Je’vida
The film takes viewers on a journey through time, and is about Iida, an elderly Skolt Sámi woman who has abandoned her past under the pressures of assimilation, weaving across three different historical eras to examine the fate of the Indigenous peoples in Finland in the post-war period. Je’vida is the first Skolt Sámi feature film directed by Katja Gauriloff and co-written by Katja Gauriloff and Niillas Holmberg.
Director: Katja Gauriloff
Scriptwriter: Katja Gauriloff and Niillas Holmberg
Producer: Joonas Berghäll, Anna Nuru and Satu Majava, Oktober

 

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Eallogierdu / The Tundra Within Me
After living for many years in Oslo, Lena moves back to Northern Norway with her young son to explore Sami gender in an art project. While researching in the wintry tundra, she falls in love with reindeer herder Máhtte – whose mother, the head of the family, disapproves of the relationship. As decisions from the past come to haunt her, Lena struggles to find out whether her and Máhtte’s lifestyles can ever be compatible.
Scriptwriter and director: Sara Margrethe Oskal
Producer: Mona J. Hoel, Freedom From Fear

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Máhccan – Homecoming
As museums worldwide are increasingly pressured to return cultural property, co-directors Suvi West and Anssi Kömi share a personal and insightful story about the return of Sámi artifacts — long held in a museum — to their homeland.
Scriptwriter: Suvi West

Director: Suvi West and Anssi Kömi

Producer: Janne Niskala, Vaski Film

 

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