The annual Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples’ Film Festival took place in Inari, Sápmi from January 22–25, 2026. The programme was curated for the first time by the new artistic director, Sunna Nousuniemi. Visitor numbers decreased slightly due to a lighter programme structure. Fewer ticketed screenings were presented, but in terms of sales the event achieved a record-breaking result, including as many as six sold-out screenings. An estimated 2,853 visitors attended Skábmagovat events in Inari. The visitor count is based on audience numbers at screenings and events. It appears that the festival has an established core audience with a strong interest in Indigenous cinema and Sámi culture. The festival has also developed into an important meeting place for professionals working in the Indigenous film industry.
During the festival, 19 film screenings were held, which is about one third fewer than in previous years. The first screening to sell out was Muistojen Inari (Inari of Memories), curated by Jorma Lehtola in honour of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the municipality of Inari. In addition, traditionally popular Sámi screenings attracted audiences, including A Sámi Wedding – Heajastallan, written and directed by Åse Kathrin Vuolab, as well as ČSV – Show the Sámi Spirit!, a screening featuring the latest Sámi short films exploring dreams, resistance, important turning points of youth, and the absurdities created by colonialism. The film adaptation of the series Ciao Ráhkis, which had its world premiere at the festival, filled the main hall of Sajos to capacity. The festival programme received praise for its diversity, and Indigenous films featured more humour than before.
The main guest of the 2026 festival was Siksika filmmaker Sinakson Trevor Solway, whose feature-length documentary Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man examines Indigenous masculinity and representations of Indigenous men.
Skábmagovat also hosted discussion events addressing issues and current perspectives related to Indigenous cultures and the film industry. The most popular discussion was the Diverse Love panel, facilitated by Petra Laiti, which brought together Indigenous filmmakers and artists to reflect on their own authorship through the lens of the theme. The International Sámi Film Institute’s discussion Sámi Films Rising: Television Series in the Spotlight attracted a wide range of industry professionals to Sajos on Saturday afternoon.
In addition, the festival continued the much-anticipated annual SkábmaKlubba festival club, which brought in music lovers on both evenings to enjoy, among other things, the compatibility of rap and jazz. The popular SkábmaKlubba pre-parties continued at the Snow Theatre, with music provided by DJ Petra Laiti. The versatility of the Snow Theatre was put to the test when it hosted a new addition this year: Áávu, a multidisciplinary dance performance directed by Auri Ahola, which expressed a rich spectrum of Sámi joy, delight, and happiness. The festival also organised its traditional Children’s and Youth Day.
Skábmagovat will be held again next year from January 28–31, 2027.
The festival is organised by the Sámi Art Support Association together with the Sámi Museum Siida,
the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos, the Sámi Education Institute – SOGSAKK, the Indigenous Film
Centre – Skábma, and the cultural services of the Municipality of Inari.
Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples’ Film Festival
Phone: +358 40 1911621
Email: info@skabmagovat.fi
Website: https://skabmagovat.fi/
Social media: Instagram @skabmagovat, Facebook Skábmagovat Film Festival
