Pathfinder

Sápmi (Lapland), around the year 1000. In a remote area, a teenage boy escapes after a group of looting barbarians murder his parents and sister. The surrounding Sámi flee in fear, but the brave Aigin (Mikkel Gaup) stays behind, waiting for the violent Chudes to avenge his family, but they catch him before he can do anything. Aigin is forced to lead them to his fellow countrymen as a guide, but hatches a plan to prevent them from getting there in one piece. This beautiful adaptation of a centuries-old saga, originally titled Ofelaš (Sámi for 'guide') became the first Sámi feature film ever made. A cult classic about a riveting struggle for survival, combining ferocious action, traditional Sámi culture and breathtaking landscapes.

At the time, Pathfinder (1987) was the directorial debut of Nils Gaup, who visited NoFF in 2024 with his film The Riot (2023). His nephew Mikkel Gaup, who plays the lead role in the Oscar-nominated Pathfinder, is a guest at this year's festival and will hosts a joik workshop. He can also be seen in Árru (2026), one of the two recent Sámi films within the festival program special Sámi Stories. Also featured in Pathfinder is the famous Sámi poet Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, whose work has been translated into Dutch and Frisian for the first time this year.

After the film there will be a Q&A with actor and musician Mikkel Gaup (in English).