Program 2026

Program 2026

Program 2026

Day 1 | AUD 1 UiT | Wednesday April 15th
TID Activity Film / Details
8:30 Registration
9:00 Opening
9:15 Screening Living Soil – Building Living Soil in a Teaching Context
Screening Forrest Grief
Installations
10:40 Pause
11:10 Keynote

Jack Koumi – (Online Professor, University of the Philippines OU)
Pedagogic Video Design Principles
 

12:10 Lunch
13:10 Screening Access Card
Screening When a Drone Falls
13:45 Pause
14:05 Screening Translation in a Healthcare Context
Screening Sepsis & Septic Shock
14:55 Pause
15:15 Screening Some glacial rivers are turning toxic. Here’s why.
Screening Cosmology with Ben
Screening Bricks of Life – The Evolution of Animal Complexity
16:05 Pause
16:25 Screening Things that keep me up at night
Screening What is social justice?
17:10 End of day
17:30 Reception dinner The Science Centre of Northern Norway
Day 2 | AUD 1 UiT | Thursday April 16th
TID Activity Film / Details
9:00 Screening Reclaiming the night
Screening Ethical dilemmas – Abortion
10:05 Pause
10:35 Keynote Matt Pierce – (Visual Lounge & Techsmith)
Be Like a Creator: Borrowing What Works to Make Videos that Matter 
11:35 Lunch
12:35 Screening Praksvis/styrk
Screening From trust to trauma: Perspectives on Obsteteric Violence
13:30 Pause
13:50 Screening Relæxt – Welcome to a sush-free zone!
Screening Southern Sami identity
14:45 Pause
15:00 Screening Molo teacher!
15:45 End of day
20:00 Festival Dinner Maskinverkstedet
Day 3 | Kulturhuset | Friday April 17th
TID Activity Film / Details
9:00 Opening
9:15 Screening Ballad of the mountain
Screening Nelson the Giant
10:10 Pause
10:30 Screening Magical images that can walk
Screening Lasting music
11:20 Pause
11:40 Screening A small part of me
Screening The Sound of ventilation
Screening DNA Break Repair by Homologous Recombination
12:30 Lunch
13:15 Awards
14:15 End of day

Film screenings 2026

Kosmologi med Ben David

Cosmology with ben (no)

The universe is so vast, fascinating, and distant. How can we take what feels far away and make it close? Through familiar elements, cosmologist (/astrophysicist) Ben takes you on a journey through the solar system, the galaxy, and eventually the entire universe. The solar system is measured out along the streets of Trondheim. The galaxy becomes a pizza. Dark matter turns into a hammer throw. Yes, the whole universe will be explained through what is familiar and dear.

Molo Teacher

Molo teacher! (no)

The film «Molo Teacher!» (Hello Teacher!) follows 3 Norwegian students who are doing their practicum at a school in South Africa, and 4 South African students who are doing their practicum at a school in Norway, as part of their teacher education. Through their experiences, the film explores how cultural differences and diverse pedagogical methods can broaden the teacher students’ perspectives and prepare them for future teaching roles.

asting music

Last(ing) music – an essay on music therapy at the end of life (no)

What is a song, and what is its power? The film explores these questions through the story of Kari, a 49-year-old woman receiving palliative care, and her relationship with the song The Boy from Ipanema, as sung by Ella Fitzgerald. Based on music therapy research, the film traces Kari’s experiences with this song, showing how music can stay with us by holding memories, emotions, and our sense of self across time.

Forest Grief - image

Forest Grief (CZ)

The children of the Vysočina region in the Czech Republic are missing the woods. Until recently, the dense, fresh forests turned into arid grazing tracks on heavy machinery. Even small children still remember how they went to play in the forest, the older ones remember the forest camps and others how they went with their parents to the forest for trips.

A small part of me

A small part of me (no)

The film «A little bit of me» is a personal portrait of Signe where she explains what it is like to live with language difficulties. Through her personal history, Signe wants to train others in how language difficulties can create obstacles and misunderstandings.

Sepsis & septic shock (no)

Sepsis & septic shock (no)

This animated medical lecture breaks down the topic of sepsis into a clear, engaging visual journey. It explains the pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment principles in a concise, accessible way designed for medical students and early-career doctors. Through dynamic 3D visuals and narration, it helps learners visualize this concept for use in a real world clinical setting.

Ballad of the mountain

Ballad of the mountain (in)

An outcast girl must fight the bullies and overcome her fears to pursue her ambition to fly to the other side of the mountain.

What is social justice

What is social justice? (us)

The film weaves together community reflections, student artwork, and a collective poetic response to explore the layered meaning of social justice.

Super sami bros

Super sami bros – sami basic training at nrk (no)

NRK has a defined responsibility to safeguard Sámi languages and culture. To support this, a digital learning program titled Super Sámi Bros was launched on February 6, 2025. The program was developed in collaboration with Sámi creatives within NRK and other contributors. Since its release, it has become one of NRK’s most completed and highest-rated digital courses. The program aims to raise awareness of Sámi issues, provide a basic understanding of Sámi languages and culture, and strengthen pride in NRK’s Sámi mandate.

Etiske dilemmaer

Ethical dilemmas – abortion (no)

In our society, there are many important ethical questions that people disagree on, for example, where the limit for elective abortion should be drawn, and how we ought to treat animals. In this series, we will produce videos about some of the most important ethical dilemmas of our time. The videos aim to make us wiser and better equipped to engage in informed discussions about important ethical issues.

Reclaiming the night

Reclaiming the night (uk)

Norwegian Professor Jon-Håkon Schultz has dedicated over a decade to combating the trauma-induced nightmares of war-affected children with his pioneering program. On a research trip to Lebanon, Schultz encounters a Syrian child deeply traumatized by a brutal act perpetrated by ISIS. As he grapples with the immense weight of the stories he encounters, there emerges a powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to confront and transform its traumatic past.

Praksvis

PRAKSVIS/STYRK – case films (NO)

This film is a part of a series of 12 films produced for an online counselling course for practice coordinators in health services. The films consist of different counselling situations and dilemmas/situations and students may find themselves in. In the films we follow different characters, both student and supervisors in practice situations and before and after in conversation with the supervisor.

Sound of ventilation

The sound of ventilation (no)

Air ventilation is an integral part of all building design. For most people, including architects, it is a necessary element that is not given much aesthetic reflection. This film will give you a new perspective on this seemingly dull element of our building interiors.

Bricks of life

Bricks of life – the evolution of animal complexity (at)

What makes some life forms more complex than others? This Lego Stop Motion animation explores which factors contribute to the physiological complexity of organisms on planet earth.

Things that keep me up at night

Things that keep me up at night (se)

Thirteen young people from six different countries share the innermost thoughts that keep them up through the night. Videos of baby elephants, the fear of dying, of girls, and of losing someone you love. Things we rarely talk about, but often have in common.

Nelson and the giant

Nelson the giant (ca)

Mrs. Peterson, reads to the children from a mysterious old book. The children find themselves suddenly transported into the story. They work together to discover Nelson the Giant’s true character and what the story unlocks for their experience back home.

Relæxt

Relæxt – welcome to a shush-free zone! (no)

A warm and insightful documentary that presents Norway’s first relaxed performance initiative, launched at Hålogaland Teater (HT) in Tromsø. Inspired by relaxed performance models originally developed in the UK, Relæxt aims to make cultural experiences more accessible and enjoyable for audiences who often feel excluded due to strict etiquette and other barriers, particularly children and youth living with disabilities.

Fra tillit til traume

From trust to trauma: perspectives on obstetric violence (no)

This film is based on the ongoing debate about obstetric violence in Norway. In media discussions, the issue is often portrayed as a conflict between healthcare professionals and birthing people. However, the film seeks to show that both parties share a common goal: to create safety, trust, and positive experiences.

Dna repair

Dna break repair by homologous recombination (au)

Homologous recombination is crucial in repairing double-strand breaks in DNA, correcting errors, and maintaining genomic integrity. This animation highlights the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in DNA break repair in homologous recombination. Designed to support outreach on WEHI research into breast cancer and provide world-class education materials on foundational cell biology topics.

Translation in health care

Translation in a healthcare context (no)

Jan Buts (educator at the University of Oslo) presents a narrative in which the main character finds himself in a dark and unfamiliar place, forced to navigate the challenges of translation. The viewer is asked to reflect on the difficulties the protagonist encounters.

Living soil

Living soil -building living soil in a teaching context (no)

Four young people learn through practice what living soil is, what its importance is for humans and animals, and how we can take care of it for the future. Living soil is the very foundation of nutritious and healthy food for humans and livestock.
He film will inspire and guide, both teachers, and youth in a classroom situation, how to build living soil as a basis for organic gardening.

When a drone falls

When a drone falls (no)

What happens if seven kilograms of flying metal and hard plastic lose control and fall? The film explores the risks and potential damage associated with drone operations, illustrating through animations and simulated accidents the consequences a falling drone can cause.

Access card

Access card (no)

A woman approaches the entrance to her workplace while a sports commentator provides live play-by-play of her every move. She successfully uses her access card to enter the building—but the commentator is not impressed. Why? She had her card visibly hanging around her neck while walking through the city, exposing sensitive credentials. With humor and a touch of suspense, the film highlights a common security oversight in everyday routines.

Seksuell_trakassering

Sexual harassment – an interactive online course (no)

An interactive course on sexual harassment, intended for employees in universities and colleges. In addition to films, the course consists of tasks, quizzes, text and animations. Four of the films are directed short films with monologues based on real stories about sexual harassment, all of which provide insight into real issues.

Some glacial rivers are turning toxic

Some glacial rivers are turning toxic. Here’s why. (uk)

Deep within the Peruvian Andes, the Cordillera Blanca is home to one quarter of the world’s tropical glaciers. Glacial meltwaters in this region help to sustain a valley inhabited by more than 200,000 people. However, these high-altitude glaciers are also especially sensitive to climate change. This film explores how their retreat may be driving dramatic changes in water quality, drawing on recent research from the CASCADA project.

Magical images that can walk

Magical images that can walk (no)

This film explores a creative workshop where children and adults delved into the aesthetics and science of water through participatory activities like painting, drawing, and dialogue. Aimed at early childhood educators, it illustrates the integration of artistic expression in understanding the water cycle within a collaborative educational setting. The film underscores the importance of stimulating environments in early education alongside collaborative research efforts.

Southern sami identity

Southern sami identity (no)

Identity is shaped by, among other things, a shared language, culture, and history. This short documentary offers insight into how two Southern Sami sisters perceive their identity, what they take pride in and the challenges they navigate. It is a story of how belonging to a minority can be both empowering and demanding. It comes with certain expectations – from the Southern Sami community, from Norwegian society, and from the sisters themselves.

Keynotes

At our festival we have invited some keynote speakers to participate. Their common ground is their expertise in education and film, and they will contribute with their knowledge within the field. Read more about this year’s keynotes here. 

Keynote for TREFF 2026; Jack Koumi

Jack Koumi, GB

Expert in Video-based Learning

Jack Koumi is a leading figure in multimedia learning, with over 20 years of experience as a video producer at BBC Open University. He is also an accomplished author, known for his influential book Designing Video and Multimedia for Open and Flexible Learning. Koumi has conducted 100+ workshops across 40+ countries and currently teaches scriptwriting for instructional videos at the University of the Philippines OU. At TREFF, he will present the keynote Pedagogic Video Design Principles, sharing insights into creating impactful educational media.

Matt Pierce, US

Video creator, podcast host and marketing leader, TechSmith

Matthew Pierce is a video creator, podcast host, and marketing leader at TechSmith. He leads content and growth marketing efforts and hosts The Visual Lounge, a show focused on visual communication at work. With a background in instructional design and customer education, he brings over a decade of experience helping others teach, engage, and communicate more effectively through video.

What can educators learn from YouTube and TikTok creators? More than we might think. His keynote session explores how simple creator techniques – like pacing, story, and relevance – can help make educational video more engaging, more human, and more effective. No perfection required – just connection.

Matt Pierce keynote at TREFF 2026

Meet the 2026 TREFF jury

TREFF is a biennial educational film festival organized by Result at UiT. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of video-based learning, we have assembled a diverse jury of 5 members (sometimes 6) representing the full spectrum film-focused educational experience. This panel integrates vital perspectives from students, ed-tech experts, subject specialists, educators, and media producers.

The festival concludes with an award ceremony on the final day, recognizing the contributions that best succeed in professionally bridging pedagogical practice with filmmaking.

Terje Bergli
Terje Bergli, senior advisor Result, UiT

Terje Bergli is a senior EdTech advisor and filmmaker at Result (Resource center for teaching, learning and technology), UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Terje is also the program director for TREFF, and he has been working with education technology and digital media production in education for 20 years. Early on he was an educator within the media and film field at secondary school and in higher education. He is also an animator, motion graphic designer and has worked as an editor for NRK, the national broadcaster in Norway. 

Dr. Susanne B. Unger, University of Munich
Dr. Susanne B. Unger, university of Munich

Susanne B. Unger is a lecturer and program coordinator at the Rachel Carson Center for Environmental Studies at the University of Munich, where she manages the Environmental Studies Certificate Program. She earned her Ph.D. in linguistic anthropology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, studying the role of films in civic education for German youth.

With a strong background in media, Susanne has co-taught filmmaking workshops, worked at various film festivals across Germany, and trained university instructors at the Technical University Munich. Recently, her documentary work has shifted to radio and podcasts, focusing on environmental issues and human-animal relationships. She is thrilled to be part of TREFF this year.

Ingrid Spildo Nordhuus, senior advisor UiB
Ingrid Spildo Nordhuus, senior advisor UiB

National curator for Viten-TV – a new, open streaming platform for research dissemination from the higher education sector, developed by four central educational institutions to make knowledge accessible to everyone – without advertising, algorithms or login. Ingrid has extensive experience from the film and TV industry. She started for the University of Bergen as a film producer. Today, she manages the daily operations of Viten-TV and coordinates the collaboration between the institutions. Ingrid is passionate about communicating research through moving images.

Kristian Stave, student
Kristian Stave, Student UiT

Kristian gives the jury an important perspective as the student representative. He is a third-year bachelor student of history who has been very active in student government and student organisations, and has worked as the educational officer for the student parliament during the academic year 2024/25. He has been particularly focused on the emergence of AI and on ensuring that educational institutions see it as an opportunity and a resource, rather than using it as an excuse to return to outdated grading methods.

Being the father of a baby who has just started kindergarten, Kristian is aware of the stress that a strict schedule of exams and assignments can create when combined with daily life, and of the opportunity that film provides in releasing some of this pressure.
Kirsten Gilliland, Research assistent professor at California Polytechnic State University
Dr. Kristen Gilliland, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt

Kristen M. Gilliland, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University’s Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discoveryand President of the non-profit 22 Forever. President and Executive Director – 22 Forever. Professor Emeritus, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Formerly a chemistry professor, Dr. Gilliland redirected her career toward mental health education after tragically losing her son to an accidental overdose in 2019.

Bringing a unique perspective to educational media, she developed the multi-award-winning documentary Speaking Through Me (2023), specifically designed for youth audiences. Her work merges scientific rigor with advocacy, focusing on developing middle school brain health curriculumsand delivering impactful presentations on neuroplasticity and substance use prevention.

Her film was screened at TREFF 2024 and won the audience award and the jury’s honorable mention, so we are pleased to have her back at our festival for the newest edition.

Previous jury members:

  • Ellen Sethov, Oslo Met (2024)
  • Kelsey Brannan, Premiere Gal (YouTube) (2024)
  • Matt Pierce, Techsmith (2024)
  • Dr. Steven Hayward, Collorado College (2024)

 

Collaboration partners

Vitensenteret Tromsø
Tromsø International Film Festival
Verdensteateret Cinemateket Tromsø
vitentvlogo
Our partner SIKT
Partner at TREFF Eugloh
Partner for TREFF TMU
Center For Arctic Humanities
Tromsø international film festival
UiT Norges Arktiske Universitet

Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9019 Tromsø