Category: Yleinen

Eight Arctic Indigenous Filmmakers Selected for the Witness Film Training and Mentorship Program

Posted on by Essi Pulju

Kautokeino, Norway – April 25, 2025

The Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF) and the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) are thrilled to announce the selection of eight talented Arctic Indigenous filmmakers for the third annual Witness Film Training and Mentorship Program. This groundbreaking initiative empowers filmmakers from Arctic communities, providing them with the tools and mentorship to create compelling short films that spotlight the urgent impacts of climate change.

Witness offers a unique platform for Arctic Indigenous storytellers, and this year’s cohort blends fresh talent with past participants. Four directors have been paired with returning producers to bring projects that showcase the rich diversity and cultural narratives of the region.

The selected projects

Sukkaillutit Uqaruk / Say It Slowly
Director: Ashley Qilavaq-Savard (Inuk, Iqaluit)
Producer: Sara Beate Eira (Sámi, Norway Sápmi)

Untitled [Hide Tanning]
Director: Brittany Woods-Orrison (Koyukon Dené, Alaska)
Producer: Sadetło Scott (Tłı̨chǫ Dené, Yellowknife)

Untitled [Reindeer Herding]
Director: Aslak Paltto (Sámi, Finland Sápmi)
Producer: Marc Fussing Rosbach (Inuk, Greenland)

Waking up Sassumap Arnaa (Mother of the Sea)
Director: Arina Kleist (Inuk, Greenland)
Producer: Princess Daazhraii Johnson (Neets’aii Gwich’in, Alaska)

Strengthening Indigenous Storytelling

“Witness’s continued success reflects the creativity, resilience, and strength of Arctic Indigenous filmmakers,” said Liisa Holmberg, CEO of AIFF. “This program isn’t just about training – it’s about empowering our communities to share our stories, preserve cultural identities, and raise awareness about climate change. We can’t wait to see the global impact these films will have.”

The program’s influence continues to grow, with a record number of proposals submitted this year. Selected participants will benefit from mentorship by esteemed Indigenous filmmakers Darlene Naponse and Jason Ryle, and receive technical training and insights into independent filmmaking from the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT).

New Partnerships and Growing Support

Created by AIFF and Telefilm Canada, with continued support from UArctic, Curating Indigenous Circumpolar Cultural Sovereignty (a Social Sciences and Humanities of Canada funded project at York University), Witness 2025 proudly welcomes the ISO as its lead partner – marking a major expansion of ISO’s support for emerging Arctic Indigenous filmmakers.

“We’re thrilled to partner with AIFF and others on Witness for the first time,” said Kerry Swanson, CEO of ISO. “Witness has quickly become a cornerstone for emerging Indigenous filmmakers in the Arctic, offering not only technical training but the mentorship and guidance needed to tell impactful stories. We’re eager to see the incredible work this new cohort will create.”

Witness on the Global Stage

Films from the Witness 2024 cohort premiered in January at the Skabmagovat Indigenous Film Festival and have since screened at festivals around the world. Upcoming stops include the Aulajut: Nunavut International Film Festival next week and the Seattle International Film Festival in May.

Witness continues to amplify Arctic Indigenous voices, fostering cultural exchange, collaboration, and global recognition for stories that matter.

Arctic Indigenous Screenwriters Gather in Guovdageaidnu

Posted on by Essi Pulju

The Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop held its first in-person session in Guovdageaidnu in mid-April. Running until October 2025, the program is part of a broader effort to strengthen Indigenous storytelling on screen and support emerging voices from across the Arctic.

The workshop is a collaboration between the International Sámi Film Institute and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund. The open call for the workshop received significant interest, with 47 applications submitted from across the Arctic Indigenous region.

“The Arctic Indigenous film community is full of storytellers ready to bring their voices to life. With the support of our incredible mentors, these participants now have the opportunity to shape their stories into powerful screenplays. We are truly excited for what’s ahead”, says course coordinator Liisa Holmberg, CEO of the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund.

Twelve participants

Twelve participants have been selected to participate in monthly sessions this year, guided by a team of mentors. One of the participants is Saia Stueng from Kárášjohka. She is known for her two Sámi-language young adult novels, Hamburgerprinsessa, and is currently also pursuing a PhD at the Sámi University of Applied Sciences.

“It has been exciting to get to know the process of writing a screenplay compared to writing a novel. Learning to write for film is really fun. The main difference between writing a film and a novel is that you have to focus on what you see in the frame, what you see and hear, not just what you read”, says Saia Stueng.

Saia Stueng.

Each participant has brought their own story and screenplay idea to the workshop, which they will develop throughout the year.

“My film is about children at boarding schools and how they were afraid while being there. It’s about what that fear did to Sámi children, and how it may have affected later generations. I joined this screenwriting workshop because I think it is important that we tell our own stories, and especially in our own language, and I really want to learn more about screenwriting”, she says.

The workshop focuses on how Indigenous storytelling traditions can guide the screenwriting process while building a solid foundation in film narrative and character development. By the end of the program, each participant will have crafted a strong story, an extended treatment, and a first draft script. Read more about the worksop here.

Mentors

Some of the mentors.
The mentor team includes Liisa Holmberg (Course Coordinator), Nils Gaup (Sápmi), Jörgen Hjerdt (Sweden), Gail Maurice (Canada), Åse Katrin Vuolab (Sápmi), Kate Leys (UK), Suvi West (Sápmi) and Bird Runningwater (US).

Partners

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. This Screenwriting Workshop is the first of many projects following the Sami Film Initiative.

Witness Series 2025 Grant Round Open – Apply by April 2

Posted on by Essi Pulju

The Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF), in partnership with Telefilm Canada and the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), is excited to announce the third edition of the Witness Short Film Series. This professional training and mentorship program is designed to support early career Arctic Indigenous filmmakers from across the Circumpolar North, including Canada, Sápmi, Russia, Alaska, and Greenland.

The program offers a unique opportunity to develop skills in documentary storytelling, cinematography, production management, and impact producing. Participants will receive hands-on training and mentorship from experienced Indigenous filmmakers, explore ethical filmmaking practices, and gain insights into international co-productions. Selected filmmakers will be awarded a training grant to produce a 3–5 minute short film exploring climate change from an Indigenous perspective.

Applications are open now!

The extended deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 2, 2025. For more details and application guidelines, read the call for proposals here.

For Applicants

The Witness Film Series World Premiere at Skábmagovat 2025

Posted on by Essi Pulju

The Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF) and Telefilm Canada are proud to announce the world premiere of the Witness film series at the Skábmagovat Film Festival in Inari, Finland, on January 24, 2025.

The series features five short films by Arctic Indigenous filmmakers, offering powerful insights into how climate change is impacting their lives and communities. The filmmakers will be in attendance, sharing their stories and engaging with audiences.

Join us at Skábmagovat to experience transformative storytelling from the Arctic!

🔗 Learn more about the films and screenings here: Skábmagovat Film Festival

📅 Time: Premiere on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 4 PM.
Rerun on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 4 PM.

📍 Location: Skábmagovat Film Festival, Inari, Finland

Get tickets

Featured Films and Filmmakers:

The Witness short film series poster.

About the program

The Witness program is a collaborative initiative by AIFF and Telefilm Canada, providing Arctic Indigenous filmmakers with professional mentorship, a platform to tell their stories, and connections to a global network of Indigenous creators.

See the Witness trailer:

New Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop Kicks Off

Posted on by veera

The Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting Workshop has officially kicked off and has started with online sessions in October with Bird Runninwater and Suvi West. The workshop will continue until September 2025.

High Interest

There was great interest in the workshop, with 47 applications from the Arctic Indigenous area. From this group, 12 are selected to participate in the monthly sessions over the coming year led by professionals in the film industry.

We are thrilled by the enthusiasm we have seen. There is a huge interest in Indigenous stories, and we can see that many writers are interested in telling their stories on the screen. This course provides one-on-one mentoring, so we focused on a smaller group this time to give each writer dedicated support, says Liisa Holmberg, the Course leader.

About the program

The Arctic Indigenous Screenwriting workshop will focus on how Indigenous storytelling traditions can inspire the scriptwriting process and enhance the understanding of the basics of film narratives and character development in a film story. By the end of the workshop, the participants will have a strong story, an extended treatment, and a first draft script.

The workshop is the first of many projects following the Sami Film Initiative / Samisk filmløft.

The Mentors

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

Leader of the Course: Liisa Holmberg: CEO, Arctic Indigenous Film Fund
Kate Leys: International script and story editor, England
Bird Runningwater: Producer/Director from Los Angeles
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

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

Outcome

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

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

Liisa Holmberg, CEO, Arctic Indigenous Film Fund

+47 930 36 145

Partners

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. This Screenwriting Workshop is the first of many projects following the Sami Film Initiative.

New Podcast Episode from EFM: Arctic Indigenous Filmmakers on Climate Change

Posted on by Essi Pulju

EFM – European Film Market, distribution platform for the Berlinale, has released a compelling new episode of Industry Insights – EFM podcast.

Titled “Arctic Indigenous Filmmakers on Climate Change: First-Hand Perspectives,” this episode shines a light on the innovative work of the Witness Program, a unique film training and mentorship initiative by Telefilm Canada and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF). The program enables Arctic Indigenous filmmakers to share their authentic perspectives on how climate change is affecting their communities. 

Join AIFF’s CEO Liisa Holmberg as she delves into insightful conversations with filmmakers Sadetło Scott and Svetlana Romanova, alongside mentor Danis Goulet. They share their authentic experiences and perspectives on how their communities’ worldview, connection and deep relationship to the land are expressed in their films.

Tune in and gain a deeper understanding of the Arctic Indigenous perspective on climate change!

Go to the Podcast

About the podcast:

Industry Insights – The EFM Podcast is one of the Berlinale podcasts and is provided in cooperation with Goethe-Institut and co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA.

The podcast is also available on all major podcast platforms, e.g. Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

The episode “Arctic Indigenous Filmmakers on Climate Change” has been developed in partnership with Telefilm Canada.

Release Date: June 21, 2024
Episode Length: 43 minutes

Listen the teaser of the episode here:

A Film Panel and Screening in New York – Witnessing Climate Change

Posted on by Essi Pulju

Join us for an evening of insightful screenings and a panel discussion exploring how Arctic Indigenous peoples have battled against climate change through films and other media from the perspective of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The event will take place at Scandinavia House in New York on April 18, 2024.

Arctic Indigenous peoples have a rich storytelling tradition that is still vivid and active. The stories have played an essential role in maintaining sustainable living in the Sámi and other Indigenous people’s traditional living areas — by being in charge of their narratives, these communities create a new future for their peoples. That’s why all Indigenous peoples must have the ultimate right to tell their own stories about climate change in the Arctic tipping points, including ice caps melting, permafrost collapsing, ocean changes and vanishing of the snow.

The film panel’s discussion will be moderated by Jason Ryle, Canada and AIFF’s CEO Liisa Holmberg , Sápmi. Our esteemed panelists include

  • Sadetlo Scot, a renowned Film Director from Canada
  • Emile Hertling Péronard, a Film Producer from Inuk, Greenland
  • Anna Hoover, a Film Director from Unangax, USA
  • Kati Eriksen, a Film Director from Sámi, Finland

The screenings will feature impactful documentaries and short films:

  • Marcus Amerma (2023) | Documentary | Director: Anna Hoover (Alaska)
  • Edaxàdets ´Eete – We Save Ourselves (2023) | Witness short film | Director: Sadetlo Scot (Canada)
  • The Past And The Future Of The Arctic (2023) | Witness short film | Director: Hans Pieski (Sápmi)
  • Home River (2023) | Documentary | Directors: Kati Eriksen & Scott Thorthon (Sápmi)
  • Entropy (2023) | Documentary | 10 min. | Director: Inuk Jörgensen (Greenland)

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about climate change through the lens of Arctic Indigenous storytelling.

RSVP to secure your spot at the event. Reserve the free tickets here.

Location

Scandinavia House
58 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Time

April 18, 6–8 PM.

Nine Arctic Indigenous Filmmakers Selected for Witness 2024 Film Training and Mentorship Program

Posted on by Essi Pulju

The Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF) and Telefilm Canada proudly announce the selection of nine Arctic Indigenous filmmakers for the second round of the Witness film training and mentorship program. Witness aims to empower Indigenous voices across Arctic communities to create impactful short films exploring the effects of climate change.

The selected filmmakers and their projects are:

  1. Ashley Qilavaq-Savard and Jennifer Kilabuk (Inuit, Canada) – Project: Intergenerational Climate Activism
  2. Princess Daazhraii Johnson (Neets’aii Gwich’in, United States) – Project: This is a Story About Salmon
  3. Marc Fussing Rosbach (Inuk, Greenland) – Project: Our Ancestors’ Secrets
  4. Johannes Vang (Sámi, Norway) – Project: Red-Shaded Green
  5. Elin Marakatt (Sámi, Sweden) and Sara Beate Eira (Sámi, Norway) – Project: Untitled [Cloudberry]
  6. Eriel Lugt and Carmen Kuptana (Inuvialuit, Canada) – Project: Untitled

These filmmakers were chosen for their compelling proposals and dedication to shedding light on the impacts of climate change within their communities. Witness 2024 will provide them with workshops, training grants, and mentorship from esteemed Canadian Indigenous filmmakers Darlene Naponse and Jason Ryle.

The films produced during the program will premiere at the Indigenous Film Festival Skábmagovat in Inari, Finland, in January 2025.

“We are thrilled to welcome these diverse Arctic Indigenous filmmakers to Witness 2024,” said Liisa Holmberg, CEO of AIFF.

“Their unique perspectives and storytelling abilities will undoubtedly contribute to meaningful conversations and highlight Indigenous leadership surrounding climate change in Arctic communities.”

“The Witness program is a professional development opportunity that allows Arctic Indigenous filmmakers to share how climate change is affecting their communities, to tell their own stories, and to meet and work with an international network of Indigenous filmmakers,” remarked Adriana Chartrand, Lead, Indigenous Initiatives & Content Analyst at Telefilm Canada.

Collaborators of the Witness program:

Contact for more information:

Witness Program Coordinator,
Amee Le,
amee.lekc[at]gmail.com

Exploring the obstacles – recent study reveals challenges facing Arctic Indigenous filmmakers

Posted on by Essi Pulju

A new study offers a comprehensive examination of the Arctic Indigenous audiovisual sector in Canada and across Arctic borders, detailing its current state, challenges, and opportunities. The study was commissioned by Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF) and developed in partnership with Telefilm Canada.

The study, carried out by the international screen sector consultancy firm Olsberg SPI (SPI), focuses primarily on the Canadian Arctic region Nunavut, along with some analysis of Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Given the scant research conducted in this field previously, the investigation emerges as a pioneering area of inquiry.

Insights and Recommendations

The findings highlight significant barriers faced by Arctic Indigenous filmmaker. SPI identified obstacles such as

  • gaps in funding and expertise
  • challenges in cross-border collaborations in the Arctic region
  • issues with intellectual property (IP) ownership
  • the absence of policies and strategies tailored to support Indigenous creators.

These challenges are crucial as they impact the sector’s ability to grow and develop both creatively and commercially.

The report recommended that the AIFF work with Canadian agencies to increase Arctic Indigenous funding caps to align with non-Indigenous funding caps. Recommended priority actions include ensuring easier access to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous funding sources, increasing flexibility in the use of production funds, and enhancing capacity-building programs led by organizations such as the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and AIFF.

It’s highlighted that AIFF should continue its collaboration with Telefilm, ISO, Canada Media Fund (CMF), and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) in tackling cross-border funding issues, with a special focus on Greenland, while also providing support to new producers. The report also advocates for developing formal partnerships with international Indigenous-led audiovisual organizations in Canada, Australia, and New-Zealand.

The Importance of Collaboration

The report notes that the AIFF’s work has already started to overcome some of the challenges outlined, as well as to build infrastructure.

The AIFF, together with partners like the ISO, is focusing on several key areas. They are providing funds for a new studio planned in Iqaluit and working to broaden the reach and impact of Arctic Indigenous creations, both in Canada and worldwide. They’re also implementing new technologies and online platforms led by Indigenous communities, designed to respect and uphold Indigenous ownership of intellectual property (IP).

AIFF and Telefilm Canada signing a contract of partnership in Toronto in 2022.

Invitation to Collaborate

AIFF values the importance of collaboration with agencies in Canada and worldwide. By working together, we can enhance the support infrastructure for Arctic Indigenous audiovisual creators, enabling them to overcome existing barriers and seize available opportunities. Our partnership aims to foster a sustainable environment where Indigenous filmmakers can develop their skills, access necessary resources, and achieve their creative and commercial goals.

We encourage agencies and all sector stakeholders to engage with us. Support and collaboration are vital in shaping a thriving Arctic Indigenous audiovisual sector that reflects the diversity and richness of Indigenous narratives.

Let’s make a difference together!

Contact us

Collaboration continues with Canada Media Fund and AIFF

Posted on by Essi Pulju

At the ImagineNATIVE film festival in Toronto, AIFF’s CEO, Liisa Holmberg, and Mathieu Chantelois, the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs at Canada Media Fund, signed an agreement for Capacity Building and Marketing for 2024.

This project is designed to enhance the skills of Indigenous filmmakers through presentations, skill development, networking, and providing market access in international territories. The main events of the project are planned in Berlin, Los Angeles, Toronto, and New York.

Arctic Witness Training program