Norse Key Distribution has announced a key international acquisition for the critically acclaimed Sámi/Norwegian youth series Shut Up (Oro Jaska). Recently, the distributor confirmed that the series has been sold to New Zealand’s Whakaata Māori channel, expanding the global footprint of Indigenous-led storytelling.
Set in a small town in northern Norway, deep in the heart of the Indigenous Sámi homeland of Sápmi, Shut Up (Oro Jaska) breaks new ground by unflinchingly addressing complex issues such as sexual assault, queer identity, and the silence that often surrounds these topics within tightly knit communities.
The narrative centers on Elli Anne, a young woman whose life is upended after she is raped. As she seeks justice within a community bound by tradition and family loyalty, the storyline takes a gripping turn when Issat, a celebrated snow cross racer, is accused. The allegation not only threatens his local reputation but forces him to confront his own closely guarded secret: he is queer.
The acquisition by Whakaata Māori highlights a strong cultural synergy between Indigenous broadcasters globally, facilitating the exchange of narratives that resonate across borders. A representative from the New Zealand channel expressed enthusiasm for the series’ upcoming broadcast, noting its deep alignment with their target audience:
‘Oro Jaska celebrates culture, language and identity at its core, while exploring the darker but extremely universal themes affecting rangatahi / youth all over the globe. I am so very looking forward to sharing this Sami language kaupapa with our Whakaata Māori and Māori + audiences and particularly with our rangatahi here in Aotearoa’.
Shut Up (Oro Jaska) marks a historic first for the region, serving as the first Sámi television drama of its kind to center social issues from within the community, told entirely by Sámi voices. Guided by the principle «Nothing about us without us,» the project was spearheaded by creators Silje Bürgin-Borch and Vegard Bjørsmo. The production prioritized narrative autonomy and cultural authenticity at every stage by assembling a writers’ room composed exclusively of young Sámi creatives, including queer voices.
The series is part of a rising global wave of acclaimed Sámi film and television projects—standing alongside titles such as Sámi Blood, My Father’s Daughter, Mácchan (Homecoming), Je’vida, and the 2025 Berlinale Series selection A Sámi Wedding (Heajastallan). These projects have benefited significantly from the advocacy and support of the International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI), which continues to champion Indigenous storytelling on the global stage.
The Sunny Side of the Doc announcement arrives as the drama garners broader international recognition, having recently secured a nomination for Best Limited Series at the prestigious 2025 Rockie Awards, part of the Banff World Media Festival held earlier this June in Alberta, Canada. As it prepares for its premiere in New Zealand, Shut Up (Oro Jaska) continues to amplify underrepresented voices and set a new standard for bold, authentic Indigenous television.
