Join our ARCTIC INDIGENOUS SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP

Do you have an idea for a new film or TV series?

The International Sami Film Institute and Arctic Indigenous Film Fund invite you to join the Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop, a year-long program packed with creativity! We have now extended the application deadline to September 20th, 2024.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In this workshop, you will learn how Indigenous storytelling traditions can inspire your script-writing process and understand the basics of film narratives and character development in your own film story. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a strong story, an extended treatment, and a first-draft script.

When: October 2024 – September 2025
Where: Virtual/Online/Guovdageaidnu
Apply before: 20.09.2024

This program includes monthly sessions spread over a year, from October 2024 to Septeber 2025.

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Course Outline

October 2024 – March 2025: Sessions 1-6: Focus on writing a treatment (Online). First session October 17.th.
April 2025: Session 7: In-person session in Kautokeino, Norway
April – August 2025: Sessions 8-12: Focus on writing a screenplay (Online)

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Mentors

The sessions will be led by professionals in the film industry:

Leader of the Course: Liisa Holmberg: Director of the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund
Kate Leys: International Script and Story editor, England
Bird Runningwater: Producer/Director from Los Angeles
Amanda Kernell: Screenwriter/Director, Sápmi
Suvi West: Screenwriter/Director, Sápmi
Gail Maurice: Screenwriter/Director, Canada
Nils Gaup: Screenwriter/Director, Sápmi
Åse Katrin Vuolab: Screenwriter/Director, Sápmi
Jörgen Hjerdt: Screenwriter, Sweden

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Goals

• To learn how Indigenous storytelling traditions can inspire your script-writing process.
• To understand the basics of film narratives and character development in your own film story
• To provide methods for developing ideas into treatments and scripts

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Outcome

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a strong story, an extended treatment, and a first-draft script.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

Submit your application through this application site (click here).

Eligibility: Arctic Indigenous writers with some experience and work produced for film, TV, theatre, or audio.

Application Requirements:
1. A brief one-page story idea
2. A short statement explaining why you want to participate and what you hope to gain
3. A sample of your produced script
4. CV

Application Deadline: 20th September, 2024

The International Sami Film Institute and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund will select ten participants and notify them by mid-August 2024. The first meeting will be online on 17th September 2024.

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For questions or more information about the workshop, please contact:

Liisa Holmberg, CEO, Arctic Indigenous Film Fund
liisa@isfi.no / +47 930 36 145

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PARTNERS

 

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FUNDERS

A part of Sami Film Initiativ / Samisk filmløft:

As part of Samfunnsløftet, SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge, the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) has been allocated 10 million NOK in funding for a major initiative in the production of new Sámi films and TV series. This initiative is a concrete measure and a response to the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.