The Sámi film industry is at a crossroads. The demand for Sámi films has exploded and the number of productions is growing rapidly. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry today is a shortage of labour. There are simply not enough skilled workers. The Sámi film industry is not able to respond to the growing interest and needs with sufficient volume and speed.
The Sámi film industry is at a crossroads. The demand for Sámi films has exploded and the number of productions is growing rapidly. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry today is a shortage of labour. There are simply not enough skilled workers. The Sámi film industry is not able to respond to the growing interest and needs with sufficient volume and speed.
Objectives:
The objective of the project is to develop film education in the Sámi region in cooperation with Sámi Education Institute, Kalix Folkhögskola and International Sámi Film Institute. We want to ensure that film education better meets the needs of the rapidly changing and developing film industry, and especially the Sámi film industry. The objective is to adapting film education and training to labour market needs and increasing the flexibility of opportunities for Sámi youth.
Activities:
We are developing cooperation and sharing best practices through excursions and film industry company visits. We create an innovative cross-border traineeship programme for Sámi film productions, which is open to students from SAKK and Kalix Folkhögskola but also for young people from all over Sápmi. By collecting feedback from the pilot, we can make recommendations about good practices and implementation of the traineeship programme for film productions more broadly.
Desired results:
All partners work long-term in the film industry. The project will develop film education to become more cross-borderless and meet the needs of the rapidly developing film industry. This will also increase the attractiveness of film education and opportunities in the film industry for young people will increase. The Sámi film industry will get the workforce it desperately needs, more people who understand the language and culture will work in the film productions.
Target groups:
-Students of SAKK’s media education
-Students of Kalix Folkhögskola’s film and series production programme
-Young people from all over Sápmi
-Personnel at ISFI
-Personnel from Sámi Education Institute
-Personnel from Kalix Folkhögskola
-Indigenous partners in the film industry
Activities implemented in the project:
The Kick Off and the first live meeting between the project partners was organized in Kautokeino on 6-7 November 2023 at the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) in the snowy landscape of Buletjávr. For two days, we planned the project, its goals and activities, and got to know each other's a little more deeply. We also visited the Sámi University of Applied Sciences (Sámi Allaskuvla) and the film production company called Forest People.
Yle Sápmi's article about the project: https://yle.fi/a/74-20060844
The project partners met in Guovdageaidnu, in the wonderful scenery of Buletjávri. Back row: Suvi King, Helena Andersson, Jukka Vuorela-Morottaja, Maren Nystad, Anders Durvall. Front row: Anne Lajla Utsi, Tiina Jäppinen, Erkki Feodoroff.
Media teachers' visit to Skábmagovat Film Festival in Inari 26-27 January 2024
Film and media teachers from Inari (Finland) Kalix (Sweden) and Karasjok (Norway) met in Inari during the Skábmagovat Film Festival. In addition to watching Sámi films, we got to know the Sámi Education Institute (SAKK) and its media education and visited Yle Sápmi and the Sámi Museum Siida. We also got to discuss the needs of media education in the North in the future!
Berit Marie Lise Eira, Erkki Feodoroff, Anders Durvall, Tiina Jäppinen, and Susanne Persson at the meeting of media teachers in Inari during the Skábmagovat Film Festival.
Sogsakk new’s article p.14: https://issuu.com/saamelaisalueenkoulutuskeskus/docs/sogsakk_sanomat_11.3.2024_web
Traineeships in Sámi film productions
Traineeship programme started in cooperation with ISFI in January 2024 with an open call. In March, two trainees started their work in the production of a drama series for Sámi youth called "Oro jaska" filmed in Karasjok. Two new trainees have been selected for the second traineeship for Árru joik musical. Filming will take place in Áltá and Skáidi in August-September 2024. Trainees are paid a salary, travel and accommodation expenses. Traineeship periods are open to everyone, but priority is given to Sámi people and young trainees. Traineeships in sámi productions will continue in at least two new productions. These will be announced on social media, so follow the channels!
More information about the first open call: https://isfi.no/article/open-call-trainee-for-the-drama-series-oro-jaska/
More information about the second open call: https://isfi.no/article/open-call-trainee-for-the-feature-film-arru/
Project Title: Creating cross-border collaboration in film education in the Sámi region and piloting an innovative traineeship programme model for Sámi film productions
Field: Vocational Education and Training
Project Duration: 1.9.2023-31.8.2025, 24 months
Budget: 250 000 €
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: KA220-VET - Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training
Project Coordinator: Sámi Education Institute (SAKK)
Partners: International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI), Kalix Folkhögskola
Contact Information:
Tiina Jäppinen, project manager
Tel. 040 5559650
Email. tiina.jappinen@sogsakk.fi
Kaamosmaisemia – Skábmaduovdagat Workshop 9-10 February 2024
The project, in cooperation with the Kaamosmaisemia working group, implemented a short film workshop in Inari, where the participants had the opportunity to get to know and learn, especially about shooting outdoors, during the coldest and darkest time of the year. The working group consists of Janita Rantanen, Sunna Nousuniemi - Radio-Juhani Sunná Máret, Sakari Maliniemi, Tomi Lampinen and Nicholas Francett. The participants were able to learn more about photography, lighting and staging.
The work was done with joy even though it was 30 degrees below freezing in Inari during the workshop.
Study trip to Kalix, Sweden 11–15 March 2024
Media education students and teachers got to know Kalix Folkhögskola and its film education in March. In the two-day short film workshop, we worked together with the students and teachers of the Kalix Folkhögskola film education. Two short films were created, in which director Jonas Lawes was the director and workshop leader. The study trip also included a day visit to Luleå, where Sweden's second largest regional film production center, Filmpool Nord, and the film production company Iris Film were visited.
The study trip offered the students a new kind of environment to develop their skills and gain valuable practical information about the film industry in the neighboring country. Cross-border cooperation offers students many opportunities to learn, network and develop their skills. Working in an international environment also teaches communication skills in multicultural and multi-lingual situations, which is valuable in future working life.
Read more about the study trip: https://sogsakk.wordpress.com/2024/06/06/medialinjalaiset-ylittivat-rajan-yhteistyohankkeen-askeleet-suuntautuivat-ruotsiin/
The first day of the short film workshop in Kalix. In the photo are Sture Berggren, Tanja Ikonen, Kalix Folkhögskola’s teacher Anders Durvall, Mikko Vierimaa and Olivia Rönnqvist.