ARCTIC INDIGENOUS CINEMA -master's programme
The Arctic Indigenous Cinema programme responds to the need for competence building and bringing new talent into the field of Indigenous storytelling, particularly within higher education, in the scope of audiovisual media. The programme focuses on Indigenous storytelling through film and moving images. Students are encouraged to find their narrative voice and tell meaningful stories by being equipped with cinematic tools and skills. Indigenous identity and perspectives form the foundation for both artistic practice and academic research within the programme.
During the degree, the student will develop their knowledge, artistic skills and competence in:
- The dramaturgy, narrative forms and expression of film, moving image genres and media art
- Screenwriting for moving images, film, and interactive media works
- Directing processes and production practices in fiction film, documentary film and media art
- Different artistic skills in film-making or more broadly in the audiovisual field
- Academic research in Indigenous storytelling from a theoretical or artistic research tradition
The central aim of the programme is to create a platform for northern stories and future creators who can transform traditional Indigenous storytelling methods into contemporary audiovisual media, distribution channels, and platforms. In this two-year master`s degree programme, students engage in studies that intersect theory, practice and a strong working-life orientation in the field of cinema and moving images. The student's commitment to the process of creating and gradually developing their storytelling skills is central to the programme, supported by a diverse range of academic content from multiple perspectives. The studies combine practical screenwriting, production-based project work, variations in film studies and academic research.
The Arctic Indigenous Cinema programme is also planned to build close relationships with the professional field, including production companies and distribution channels, so that students can receive valuable, up-to-date feedback, practices, and networks from the industry and experienced professionals.
The University of Lapland's expertise in scientific research provides a solid theoretical foundation for academic skills and supports in deepening the student’s thinking on issues of Indigenous storytelling. In their Master's thesis work, students may focus on research questions based on their interests, and they can choose whether their thesis leans towards a theoretical or artistic research tradition.
The language of instruction and teaching is English. The teaching is delivered partly through distance and hybrid learning, with scheduled intensive on-site sessions in Rovaniemi, Finland. These on-site periods range from a few weeks up to a maximum of three months during the semester. The first year of studies is more intense with longer in-presence learning periods, while the second year allows more remote learning possibilities, including the master’s thesis and the project. When possible, on-site periods are scheduled during the times of lower tourist seasons for reasonable accommodation expenses.