Premieres at Tromsø and Göteborg Film Festivals

IN MY HAND PREMIERES AT TROMSØ AND GÖTEBORG FILM FESTIVALS

The short film In My Hand is set to premiere in January at two film festivals. The documentary, which delves into the life and activism of Sámi activist Niilas Somby, will have its world premiere at the Tromsø International Film Festival, January 16th.

Following its debut in Tromsø, the film will have its international premiere at the Göteborg Film Festival, where it has been selected for the Focus: Disobedience program, premiering January 24th. Directed by Marja Helander and Liselotte Wajstedt, and produced by Paranord Film with Linn Henriksen as the producer.

– This is an incredibly powerful film about Niillas Somby, and we’re immensely proud to premiere it on home ground in Tromsø, starting in the North. Having the world premiere in Tromsø, followed by the international premiere at Göteborg Film Festival, is truly special. Göteborg is one of the largest and most prestigious festivals in Scandinavia, making it an incredible honor to have In My Hand selected for their program, says producer Linn Henriksen.

More about In My Hand 

This compelling true story, narrated by Niillas Somby, explores the personal and historical struggles of the Sámi people. The film navigates between imprisonment, protests, and surreal encounters, providing a unique insight into one man’s extraordinary journey. It concludes with a powerful call to action for the preservation of nature.

Directors: Marja Helander and Liselotte Wajstedt
Producer: Linn Henriksen by Paranord Film
Co-Producers: Filmpool Nord, Sons of Lumière, Vaja Filmproductions and Fount Films
Screenplay: Liselotte Wajstedt
Cinematographer: Mauri Lähdesmäki
Editor: Mauri Lähdesmäki
Music: Hildá Länsman & Tuomas Norvio  Ella Marie Heatta Isaksen, Mathias Josefson
Cast: Niillas Somby, Mihkkal Hætta, Stig Frode Henriksen, Martin Hykkerud, Knut Bartholdsen, Marja Helander, Ásllát Aital Somby
Length: 24 min
Year: 2025

This version of In My Hand is an extended version of the film created in the ÁRRAN 360° Project 2.0, BODØ2024 (2024, 12 min).

About Tromsø International Film Festival
Tromsø International Film Festival screens challenging quality films for a local, national, and international audience. The festival has grown tremendously since its first commenced in 1991. The total number of admissions in 1991 was 5,200—in 2020, it was 60,003. TIFF 2025 will be the 35th edition of the festival, taking place January 13-19. Read more here.

About Göteborg Film Festival
The Göteborg Film Festival, Sweden, is the largest public film festival in the Nordic region and the premier annual meeting place for the Nordic film industry. It spans eleven days between 24. January and 2. February 2025, which is organized as a hybrid event featuring both in-person and digital film screenings. Read more here.

ISFI has supported In My Hand.