application info
In order to apply for a grant from the International Sámi Film Institute a project needs to meet all of the requirements in the Cultural Test. This test assesses whether the project qualifies as a Sámi cultural product under ISFI's guidelines. The test consists of four key components.
The grant is linked to Sámi culture and language. The following is required of projects applying for grants:
In order to apply for a grant from the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI), a project needs to meet all of the requirements in the Cultural Test. This test assesses whether the project qualifies as a Sámi cultural product under ISFI’s guidelines.
Only projects that pass the Cultural Test can be considered for receiving support for the development, production, and launch of audiovisual works.
It is the producer’s responsibility to ensure that the project remains a Sámi cultural product during the entire process from production until completion. Changes that may impact the Cultural Test’s requirements must be approved by ISFI to avoid a reduction in grants from ISFI.
Read more about the Conditions and explanation of the four key components in the Cultural test below.
The majority of the dialogue in the film’s script is in Sámi.
A manuscript is a written description of how the project will proceed.
The main theme should primarily relate to Sámi history, culture, or social conditions, or secondarily, to similar themes pertaining to other indigenous peoples.
It is a fundamental right that the Sámi people have the opportunity to define their own reality and social conditions when concerning both the past and the present through audiovisual cultural products.
ISFI will prioritize projects that are relevant to the development of Sami film culture and the film industry. Based on this condition, it is our intention to ensure that Sámi filmmakers will be able to develop and own their personal stories and that the principle of artistic freedom remains strongly in place. It is also important that the Sámi people have access to quality films and forms of cultural expression in Sámi languages.
ISFI may conduct a discretionary assessment of topics that fall outside this requirement.
The project has a Sámi production company, either as executive or co-producer, whose primary objective is to engage in audiovisual production and is registered in the Sápmi, Norway, or an EEA country.
For this condition, ISFI places emphasis on the key position played by the production company in film productions, as well as the importance of ownership and value that the Sámi production companies create for the entire Sámi community.
It is a requirement that those who are to receive grants from ISFI define themselves as Sámi or are Sámi speakers and have both cultural knowledge and strong roots within Sámi society. Based on this requirement, ISFI will ensure that, moving forward, Sámi creators and film workers will be able to be active throughout the Sápmi within audiovisual production and to build a sustainable Sami film industry.
Definition Sámi production company:
An independent production company with a minimum of 51% Sámi ownership, and audiovisual production as its primary objective, registered in the Sápmi, Norway or an EEA country.
Grants from ISFI require there to be Sámi ownership in the project (income sharing and royalties) in the case of co-productions. A co-production agreement stipulating Sámi ownership must be presented to ISFI for approval.
As a general rule, ISFI requires that grants are applied for by Sámi production companies with Sámi ownership. In exceptional cases, projects headed by Sámi producers in non-Sámi production companies may be considered. Projects with non-Sámi production companies may be considered in special instances if the project generates a high level of value for the Sámi film community.
Two of the three key functions in the production define themselves as Sámi or are Sámi-speaking:
ISFI places emphasis on strong Sámi involvement in audiovisual productions, a factor which we prioritize providing our support for.
When conducting a discretionary assessment of this condition, emphasis is placed on the key functions’ own definition of their Sámi affiliation and language:
Other participants with Sámi or other indigenous connections, as well as the number of filming days, may reinforce the project’s Sámi affiliation and will be assigned weight when assessing the application.
In order of priority: