Netflix and the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) have launched the Sámi Storyžat Lab, a new initiative designed to support Sami filmmakers by helping them develop short film projects.
A unique opportunity for Sami storytellers
The program, running from 2025 to 2026, will offer ten Sami filmmakers development grants, script support and dedicated mentorship. According to Anne Lajla Utsi, director of the International Sámi Film Institute, “This initiative gives emerging talents in Sami storytelling a unique opportunity to develop their stories alongside international and Indigenous experts.”
The Sámi Storyžat Lab is part of a broader three-year collaboration between Netflix and the ISFI aimed at strengthening Indigenous film production in the Nordic region.
Netflix’s long-term commitment to local voices
Jenny Stjernströmer Björk, Vice President of Nordic Content at Netflix, highlighted that “The Sámi Storyžat Lab reflects our long-term commitment to support new local voices and stories deeply rooted in place, culture and community.”
This initiative also aligns with a growing international interest in promoting Indigenous narratives and ensuring that underrepresented communities have the resources to tell their own stories.
Strengthening Indigenous film in the Nordics
The partnership is seen as a significant step for Sami culture and film, which has often struggled for visibility in the broader Nordic and European media landscape. By investing in Sami short films, Netflix and the ISFI aim to build a more diverse audiovisual sector that includes authentic Indigenous perspectives.
