This November, the 3rd Annual Sámi Film Festival explores Sámi values, visions, and stories, through a series of short films and documentaries from Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Presented a partnership between The National Nordic Museum in Seattle and Scandinavia House in New York, with support provided by the Consulate General of Finland in New York, The Embassy of Finland, Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York, The Consulate General of Sweden in New York and institutional support provided by the Pacific Sámi Searvi and International Sámi Film Institute, films will be presented virtually from November 5 through 8, with a live filmmaker panel taking place on November 7 at 2 PM.
The package “Short Films” presents seven shorts by Sámi filmmakers: Pulling in the Belt/Ribadit, directed by Elle Sofe Sara; Liššá, directed by Jonne Järvinen; Áile and Grandmother, directed by Silja Somby; Giitu, directed by Olve Aslaksen; A Home Truth, directed by Rebecca King; Garjá, directed by Lada Suomenrinne and Niki Rasmus; and Spring 2020/Vår2020, directed by Ann Holmgren.
The Sámi Film Festival will also include “Kaisa’s Enchanted Forest,” featuring the North American premiere of the feature Kaisa’s Enchanted Forest with the documentary Heidi. Each film package is $12, and $8 for ASF Members and members of National Nordic Museum and Pacific Sámi Searvi.
Film Lineup
Pulling in the Belt/Ribadit
Short film | Iceland | 2019 | 6 minutes | Elle Sofe Sara | North Sámi with English subtitles
Pulling in the Belt looks at the ancient Sápmi tradition of ribadit (pulling in the belt), as director Elle Sofe introduces two elders who have experienced the practice and orchestrates a revival with energetic young people and dancers.
Liššá
Short film/Documentary | 2014 | 13 minutes | Jonne Järvinen
A documentary about Sámi handicraft. Two generations share the same interest together. Experienced crafts man Piera shares his knowledge about Sámi handicraft with his apprentice Markus. Can craftsmanship be a profession of today?
Áile and Grandmother
Short film/Drama | 2015 | 12 minutes | Silja Somby
Áile is a young girl with a special relationship to nature that only her grandmother understands. Áile is taught how to use plants as medicine. But one day she discovers a secret that turns her little world upside down.
Giitu
Short film/Drama | 2018 | 18 minutes | Olve Aslaksen
A woman returns home to her father and childhood home, after being gone for 20 years. The purpose for her visit is to deliver the message that her father’s former wife has passed away.
A Home Truth
Short film/Drama | 2020 | 5 minutes | Rebecca King | North Sámi with English subtitles
A young Sámi woman faces conflicting emotions of having found a home far away from her family in Sápmi.
Garjá
Short film | 2020 | 3 minutes | Lada Suomenrinne and Niki Rasmus | North Sámi with English subtitles
A short film that speaks about one question: If home is a safe space, is the human mind as well?
Spring 2020 | Vår2020
Short film | 2020 | 3 minutes | Ann Holmgren
Support
The 3rd Annual Sámi Film Festival is presented a partnership with The National Nordic Museum in Seattle.
Support has been provided by the Consulate General of Finland in New York, The Embassy of Finland, Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York, The Consulate General of Sweden in New York, with institutional support provided by the Pacific Sámi Searvi and International Sámi Film Institute.
