The Sámi drama series Heajastallan (“A Sámi Wedding“) will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025, marking a significant international breakthrough for Indigenous Nordic storytelling. The selection of the series for TIFF’s Primetime section places it among a select group of highly anticipated television debuts.
Tradition, dysfunction and social satire
Set in the Sámi community of Kautokeino, the eight-episode drama follows Garen, a 50-year-old woman on the lowest rung of the local social hierarchy. When her son becomes engaged to the daughter of a wealthy reindeer-herding family, Garen seizes the opportunity to improve her status by organising the “perfect” wedding. To do so, she must rally her estranged siblings: Henry, a gay artist who resents his Sámi roots; Belle, a sharp-tongued secret drinker; and Johan, known in the village for his promiscuous lifestyle.
The resulting preparations unfold in a mix of raw humour and emotional depth, as the siblings navigate old resentments, cultural expectations and social pressure under the watchful eyes of their small community. As producer Eric Vogel put it, “Everything can go wrong – and probably will.”
A milestone for Sámi storytelling
Series creator Åse Kathrin Vuolab, who also co-directs the series with Pål Jackman, began developing the story in 2019. “I’m incredibly grateful that Heajastallan has been selected. I hope both the funny and the dark sides of the story will resonate with international audiences,” Vuolab stated in a press release.
The series will be screened in TIFF’s Primetime programme, which highlights outstanding episodic content. According to NRK, Norway’s public broadcaster and the series’ commissioning body, the selection represents a “seal of quality” for the production. Drama editor Marianne Furevold-Boland praised the series as “smart and funny,” adding that NRK looks forward to presenting it to the public in early 2026.
Indigenous visibility on a global stage
TIFF, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, is recognised as one of the world’s leading film festivals, alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice. It has increasingly featured Indigenous voices, both from North America and beyond. The inclusion of A Sámi Wedding signals growing interest in Indigenous Nordic narratives, a field historically underrepresented in mainstream media.
The series features dialogue in Northern Sámi, Norwegian and English, with a cast including Sara Margrethe Oskal, Ánte Siri, Inga Márjá Utsi, and Sverre Porsanger. It is produced by Mer Film, Tordenfilm and Forest People for NRK.
Heajastallan will be available to Norwegian audiences on NRK in early 2026.
