To document his NCP-granted project with the youth of Uummannaq Children’s Home in remote North-West Greenland, Adam made a film, Sikoqqinngisaannassooq. With the help of the indigenous staff they collated a series of words in the local Kalaallisut dialect that described the difficulties posed by the changing sea ice conditions around Uummannaq. The children chose a word each, discussed its meaning, and with Adam, decided how to film it. Through this process a new word was generated also: sikoqqinngisaannassooq, which expresses the very real possibility of a future without sea ice. It became the title of their 15 minute film, which will have its premiere at Tromsø International Film Festival 14 January 2025.
The film describes how a remote Inuit community in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) responds to climate change’s transformation of their winter sea ice. Interviews with indigenous elders and hunters, some projected onto icebergs, are punctuated with Kalaallisut words describing their disappearing sea ice environment. Inscribed in the ice by the island’s youth, they reflect the local impact of global forces.
All photos and trailer: Adam Sébire
The project has been granted funding from the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture in 2023.
Find out more about Mobility funding and our other grant programmes and application deadlines here!