The Reykjavík International Film Festival was established back in 2004 to bring to Reykjavík a film festival internationally recognized, as an incentive for the local film industry and also as a cultural catalyst both for cinema enthusiasts and for a wider and more casual audience. Great importance has been given from the very beginning to encouraging young talents, whose works have been offered a preminent status in the course of the event. In fact, among the categories in competition there are awards in like New Visions Award and the Discovery of the Year, which are especially thought to promote new talents.
Born in its first incarnation as a smaller scale event, the RIFF almost immediately enjoyed a fair popularity and critical plaudit from all over the world. Recognition to RIFF came from many international mediatic sources and among the awarded talents there were names of the calibre of Atom Egoyan, Miloš Forman, Abbas Kiarostami, Aleksandr Sokurov, and many more.
This year’s RIFF will screen more than 100 films from all over the world, featured in more than 12 categories. Special relevance will be given to Icelandic filmmakers as well. Indipendent film hero Jim Jarmusch will be guest of honor, with a selection of his most memorable films shown as a retrospectivesection during the festival. Jarmusch, as a recognition for his achievements, will receive RIFF’s creative excellence award by Iceland’s President.
Screenings will be held all around Reykjavík during the festival’s 11 days at the most unconventional venues – swimming pool included! More activities besides the screenings will be take place, like conferences, filmmakers laboratories, tours and parties. The program will be very soon be made available on the main event’s site and tickets will be on sale starting September 15th.
A special note must be given to the highly anticipated Noam Chomsky’s video conference that will be held at the Háskólabíó (the University of Iceland Cinema). You can send your questions to Chomsky through the official RIFF site.
Iceland Chronicles will be keeping you updated on the Reykjavík International Film Festival, so stay tuned!