What does it mean to work culturally and creatively in Northern Norway? What opportunities exist here, and how does our place in the Arctic and Sápmi affect our work?
There are indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the globe, and the Sámi are the indigenous people living in the north of mainland Europe. The land of Sápmi covers parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, but the Sámi have their own language, culture and customs.
In Tromsø, Sámi culture has been an important part for centuries. Even through Norway's assimilation policy, where Sámi culture was highly suppressed throughout the 1800 to late1900s, Tromsø has worked as a central gathering point for the Sámi people from both the coastal and inland areas.
Today, the city is marked by an active Sámi community and a strong revitalization of Sámi language and traditions. This also shows clearly in the Sámi film industry, which has been an important part of rediscovering Sámi culture, as well as showing what Sámi culture has become today.
In this Panel talk lead by Parnia Haddadi, project manager of Nordic Youth Film Festival (NUFF), Festival and Program Director Lisa Hoen from Tromsø International Film Festival (TIFF), Siljá Somby commissioning editor of International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI), and Sámi filmmaker Marja Bål Nango (7ish films), meet to share their perspectives on creating art and culture in Northern Norway, and how they navigate the balance between local traditions and global influences.
About the participants:
Tromsø International Film Festival
Tromsø International Film Festival is Norway's largest film festival that presents challenging, high-quality films from around the world to a local, national, and international audience. The festival is a great and important meeting place for the global and local film industry and holds an especially important part in the increasing media activity in the High North, which are highlighted in their side bar FILMS FROM THE NORTH.
TIFF is central in making Tromsø a film city and is highly beloved by the city's local audience. The next edition of the festival will happen on the 18-24 of January of 2027.
International Sámi Film Institute
The International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) is building a sustainable & innovative Sámi film industry that is globally visible and attractive. Established in 2009, the International Sámi Film Institute is jointly owned by the Sámi Parliament, Norway, and Guovdageaidnu Municipality.
The institute is dedicated to capacity building, developing, and supporting Sámi filmmakers by organizing workshops, seeking international funding, and opening pathways for Sámi filmmakers to major international platforms. International Sámi Film Institute offers funding in various categories.
Nordic Youth Film Festival
The Nordic Youth Film Festival (NUFF) is an annual short film festival (up to 30) and film workshop, for young filmmakers up to 30 years old from the Nordic countries & the world.
NUFF has been an important international platform for youth film and a meeting place for many young filmmakers since 2003. NUFF has now combined everything together - the eternal sunlight of the midnight sun in June is shining brightly for the NUFF Festival and Workshops.