Sápmi / Guovdageaidnu / Kautokeino / Norway – The International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) is proud to share a groundbreaking collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and its globally respected Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.
This partnership, announced at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marks a transformative step forward for Sámi and Indigenous storytellers, offering a rare and vital pathway into one of the most prestigious screenwriting fellowships in the world.
The Nicholl Fellowships are more than an award, they’re an investment in creative brilliance. Each year, up to five emerging screenwriters are selected globally to receive a $35,000 USD fellowship, mentorship from Academy members, and the time and support to bring their original feature-length screenplays to life.
Now, through ISFI’s new status as an official Nicholl Partner, Sámi and other Indigenous screenwriters can be formally recommended for consideration, something that was out of reach for many before. This means direct access to an international platform where our voices, visions, and stories can be seen, heard, and nurtured.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Academy as an official partner of the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. This partnership allows us to open doors for our talents in the Sámi and Indigenous film communities,” says Anne Lajla Utsi, Managing Director of ISFI. “If selected, our writers will gain access to a world-class fellowship that can be life-changing for their careers.”
This is about more than awards—this is about Indigenous visibility, storytelling sovereignty, and the power of narrative reclamation. These fellowships create space for Indigenous people to write ourselves back into the story, on our terms.
Sámi and Indigenous screenwriters interested in being considered must submit their materials to ISFI no later than June 11, 2025. Details on eligibility and the application process are available at www.isfi.no.
Nicholl Fellowship Highlights
- Up to five $35,000 USD fellowships awarded annually
- Open to screenwriters worldwide
- Fellowship includes mentorship by Academy members
- Writers must complete at least one original feature-length screenplay
- Many past fellows have gone on to write for major studios and secure production deals
Learn more:
🔗 About the Nicholl Fellowships
🔗 Official Nicholl Partners
