Netflix, Sámi Film Institute partnership
August 31, 2022
The International Sámi Film Institute and Netflix have entered into a partnership to support and further develop Sámi voices in the Nordic region.
The partnership is part of the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, which aims to help create new opportunities to support diversity and representation within the entertainment industry through training and up-skilling initiatives. The programme will support talent through investments in education and training, with the mission to open up more behind-the-camera opportunities and support new Sámi creatives to break through in the industry.
“We are excited to announce our partnership with a leading global company like Netflix. This will create new opportunities for our filmmakers in the Sámi community. We want to tell our own stories with Sámi creatives, and this collaboration will emphasize that. Hopefully, we can also reach international audiences with Sámi stories through this collaboration with Netflix. This demonstrates that Sámi and Indigenous stories have global relevance and are attractive in the international film and streaming industry,” said Anne Lajla Utsi, Managing Director, International Sámi Film Institute.
“We could not be more thrilled about the partnership with the International Sámi Film Institute; with such a rich storytelling tradition, we look forward to seeing how we can contribute to developing these stories further. At Netflix, we want to support communities in the regions we operate in, including up and coming creators, to give new voices a chance to be heard,” added Claire Willats, Director of Film Netflix Nordics.