Fourteen-year-old Elle Marja is a reindeer-herding Sámi girl. Confronted by the racism of the 1930s and demeaning racial examinations at her boarding school, she starts to dream of another life. But to realise her dream, she must become someone else, which means severing all ties with her family and culture.

National Jury's motivation: Sámi Blood is a brave and highly topical film about roots, class and culture that seeks to inspire discussion about a repressed and forgotten part of Swedish history. 

Amanda Kernell demonstrates great technical skill, a refined sense of character and a keen eye for detail. Along with cinematographer Sophia Olsson, she captures both magnificent scenery and the main characters’ innermost feelings –the tiny person in the huge world.

National Jury members: Kristina Börjeson, Emma Gray-Munthe, Gunnar Bergdahl

For full press release, production notes and high res photos of director, producer and poster see Press kit. The information is available in the Nordic languages and English.