Anne Lajla Utsi belongs to the Sámi people, and is based in the village of Guovdageaidnu, which lies above the Arctic Circle in Norway. Since 2009, Anne Lajla has been the driving force behind the International Sami Film Institute (ISFI). As CEO of ISFI, she built a robust international film network, collaborating with Sundance Film Institute, Netflix, Canada Media Fund, European Film Academy, Berlin Film Festival, Maoriland Film Hub, among others. She is a member of The Academy and Board member of The European Film Academy. She is awarded the Women in Film and Television International Peace Prize 2023. She advised Walt Disney Animation Studios and led the Sámi cultural expert group working with the creators of Frozen 2.

The International Sámi Film Institute has played a pivotal role in reshaping Sámi cinema, witnessing a remarkable surge in production from a handful of films to a staggering output of Sámi feature films and series, totaling 30 million euros between 2023 and 2025.