Indigenous Film Centre Skábma

Within Indigenous communities, media and film serve many purposes. Films can be tools in revitalising endangered languages and cultures, it can highlight injustice, challenge misconceptions and create a sense of community among Indigenous Peoples.

Skábma organises film-related events such as courses, lectures, and screenings to promote Sámi cinema. The Centre supports the planning, development, and production of Sámi films and audiovisual works through advisory services and capacity-building. Skábma also promotes film and media education, and aims to improve the availability of Sámi language films for children and young people, for example through dubbing.

Skábma promotes filmmaking in the Sámi homeland and opens opportunities for internationalisation and export of Sámi films. Film offers a contemporary way to document and transmit cultural knowledge, while being rooted in tradition. This way, the Centre helps keep Sámi culture vibrant and sustainable. Sámi language films also support linguistic equality and support Sámi language revitalisation.

The Indigenous Film Centre Skábma is involved in organising and developing the Skábmagovat Film Festival, an important platform for Sámi filmmakers and the premiere venue for many Sámi films. The children’s and youth programme includes film screenings and media workshops. More about the festival: http://www.skabmagovat.fi

Skábma hosts film screenings in the auditorium of the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos in Inari, as well as in other parts of the Sámi homeland in collaboration with local partners. The Centre also shares information about Sámi and Indigenous films with international film festivals, event organisers, and distributors, and curates screenings for various events.

The Centre’s activities are funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture through a dedicated grant for the promotion of Sámi art and culture.