As global conversations around climate justice and Indigenous rights continue to intensify, a new documentary is set to bring one of Europe’s most urgent and complex conflicts to North American audiences. Let Our Mountains Live, directed by acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker Håvard Bustnes, will make its North American premiere at the 2026 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, running from April 23 to May 3 in Toronto.
Screening at the TIFF Lightbox on April 24 and 25, the film arrives at a moment when questions surrounding renewable energy, land rights, and cultural preservation are more relevant than ever. Bustnes, along with Sámi filmmaker, writer, and producer Johannes Vang, will be present for both screenings, offering audiences an opportunity to engage directly with the voices behind this deeply human story.
A Story Rooted in Land, Identity, and Survival
At the heart of Let Our Mountains Live is a decades-long struggle led by South Sámi reindeer herders Sissel Stormo Holtan and Terje Haugen, who are fighting to protect their ancestral grazing lands in the Fosen mountains of Norway.
Their land, essential not only for livelihood but for cultural survival, has become the site of Europe’s largest onshore wind power development. While the project represents a significant step toward renewable energy, it also raises a difficult and deeply personal question: what happens when sustainability efforts come at the cost of Indigenous communities?
The film follows Holtan and Haugen as they navigate years of legal battles, activism, and resistance, capturing both the emotional and political weight of their fight.
A Landmark Victory—and an Unresolved Reality
One of the most striking elements of the documentary is its focus on a historic legal victory. Norway’s Supreme Court ruled that the wind farm violates Sámi human rights—a decision that should have marked a turning point.
Yet, despite the ruling, the turbines remain standing.
This contradiction forms the emotional and narrative core of the film, exposing a broader crisis within systems of governance. When justice is recognized but not enforced, what does accountability truly look like?
Let Our Mountains Live does not offer easy answers. Instead, it invites viewers into the ongoing reality faced by the Sámi people—one where legal recognition does not always translate into meaningful change.
A Movement Amplified by Youth and Global Attention
The case sparked widespread protests led by Sámi youth, drawing international attention to the intersection of climate policy, corporate interests, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Through these moments of activism, the documentary expands beyond a local conflict, revealing a global tension that continues to shape conversations around environmental progress. The film asks a question that resonates far beyond Norway: can the transition to renewable energy be considered truly sustainable if it compromises cultural identity and ancestral land?
By capturing both intimate personal stories and large-scale protests, the film balances emotional depth with political urgency.
Authentic Storytelling Through Sámi Collaboration
A defining strength of Let Our Mountains Live lies in its collaborative approach. The film was developed in close partnership with Sámi creators, including co-writer and producer Johannes Vang and Finnish Sámi filmmaker Kati Eriksen.
This collaboration ensures that the story is told with authenticity and cultural sensitivity, allowing Sámi voices to remain central to the narrative. Rather than observing from the outside, the film becomes a platform for lived experience, offering audiences a more nuanced and respectful understanding of the issues at stake.
A Director Known for Powerful Documentary Work
Director Håvard Bustnes brings more than two decades of experience in documentary filmmaking to the project. Known for films such as Golden Dawn Girls, Two Raging Grannies, and Name of the Game, Bustnes has built a reputation for tackling complex subjects with depth and clarity.
His work has screened at major international festivals and earned prestigious honors, including Norway’s Amanda Award and Gullruten Award. With Let Our Mountains Live, Bustnes continues his tradition of exploring social and political themes through compelling human stories.
A Timely Premiere at Hot Docs 2026
The film’s premiere at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival places it within one of North America’s most respected platforms for documentary storytelling.
Screenings will take place at TIFF Cinema 4 in Toronto on April 24 at 3:00 PM and April 25 at 8:15 PM, offering festival audiences an opportunity to experience the film during its highly anticipated debut.
A Story That Extends Beyond Borders
Ultimately, Let Our Mountains Live is more than a regional story—it is a reflection of a global moment.
As nations push toward renewable energy solutions, the film challenges viewers to consider the broader implications of progress. It asks whether sustainability can truly exist without justice, and whether development can move forward without erasing the communities that have long stewarded the land.
With its North American premiere, the documentary brings a critical conversation to the forefront—one that continues to shape the future of environmental policy, human rights, and cultural preservation worldwide.
In giving voice to those at the center of this struggle, Let Our Mountains Live reminds audiences that some of the most important stories are not just about change, but about who is asked to bear its cost.
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