[Aanaar, Säämi, December 5, 2024] – Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples’ Film Festival, has released its 2025 festival poster, marking the start of the festival season and setting the mood for the ongoing polar night. The poster has been created by the artist Lada Suomenrinne who is from the Deatnu River valley. The visual theme of the poster is based on the concept of čuovgga guvlui – towards the light. The poster features a self-portrait of the artist, wearing the gákti of their late áddjá (grandfather).
“In my visual art, I often explore different borderlands and how they meet. While designing the poster, I thought about an utopian pink cotton candy cloud, my own personal transformation, and what it means to move towards the light,” describes Suomenrinne of their creative process.
Skábmagovat will also showcase film art from Suomenrinne at the festival: the short film Biegga bieggá created by Suomenrinne and artist Jenni Laiti, who belongs to Anárjohka, will be screened at the Snow Theatre opening.
Changes in the cultural sector and accommodation arrangements
The cultural sector is currently undergoing a period of change due to the government’s cuts in cultural funding. This situation will also impact the upcoming Skábmagovat festival, including the decision to not host the festival online next year.
“The cuts to cultural funding have challenged the festival organization to think about the event’s future and development direction. However, our goal remains to provide film enthusiasts with a unique experience that connects peoples and cultures,” says festival program coordinator Sunna Nousuniemi.
Festival guests attending in 2025 should also prepare for reduced accommodation capacity compared to previous years. There are limited accommodation options, and most reservations have already been made. We recommend festival visitors secure their accommodation early and consider alternative options such as smaller hotels, guesthouses, cottages, or private accommodations.
Skábmagovat – Culture for All
Skábmagovat invites all film lovers to enjoy the festival’s offerings and immerse themselves in the world of Indigenous stories. The festival brings together filmmakers from around the globe and offers audiences a special opportunity to see new, unique works that promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
Skábmagovat is organized by The Friends of Sámi Art association, and festival partners include the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund, Elokuvakeskus Skábma, Embassy of Canada in Helsinki, the Inari Municipality’s Cultural Department, the International Sámi Film Institute, the Sámi Education Institute, the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos, The Sámi film industry and media education Erasmus+ project, the Sámi Museum Siida, and the U.S. Embassy in Finland.
The 2025 production team includes producer Taru Arrela, associate producer Tiina Aikio, Film Centre Skábma project planner Tarja Porsanger, artistic director Jorma Lehtola and program coordinator Sunna Nousuniemi.
Skábmagovat will be held from January 23-26, 2025. The festival will kick off as usual with the opening ceremony at the Snow theatre on Thursday, January 23, at 18:00 – warmly welcome!
Accreditation for the festival closes on January 23-26, 2025.
For more information:
Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples’ Film Festival
Mobile phone: +358 40 173 7150
Email: info@skabmagovat.fi
Website: https://skabmagovat.fi/
Social media: Instagram @skabmagovat, Facebook Skábmagovat Film Festival
Mediaoktavuohta:
Radio-JusSunná / Sunna Nousuniemi
Program coordinator
+358 40 7190758
sunna.nousuniemi@skabmagovat.fi
