Teachers & Instructors

Hilmar is well known in the Icelandic film industry. He has taught filmmaking and acting for films for over two decades in The Iceland University of Arts and at The Icelandic Film School, where he served as Dean for seven years (2010 to 2017). Hilmar originally studied filmmaking at Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film í München in Germany. He premiered his first film in 1986 and has since been many times nominated for his work and won awards.  Since he premiered his first movie, Hilmar has made five feature films, five television movies and five short films. During his film career he has made several documentaries and more than one hundred TV shows. And let us not forget the well over twenty five music videos. With all of this on his resume, he also has experience in directing sitcoms, commercials and educational material. 

We do recommend you put Hilmar Oddsson's movies “Tears of Stone” and “Cold Light” on your must watch list!

Arnar Benjamín Kristjánsson, born in 1988, is an Icelandic producer. He graduated from the directing/producing department of the Icelandic Film School and holds a MA degree in business and producing from the Met Film School in London. Additionally, Arnar earned a Master of Marketing Management degree from Bifröst University in Iceland in 2021.

With a rich portfolio, Arnar has produced over 40 short films, features, and documentaries, serving various roles such as producer, co-producer, or executive producer. His works have been showcased at prestigious festivals, including the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Notable titles in his repertoire include the feature film "Wild Game" and the TV series "Afturelding."

Arnar served as the CEO of Zik Zak Filmworks from 2018 to 2021 and continued as a producer at the same company from 2021 to 2023. Since 2023, he has been a full-time producer at Sagafilm.

Production, post production and teacher

Tómas has been in the film industry since he was a student in high school. After graduation he enrolled in the University of Iceland and later in Köbenhavn Universitet, where he studied history. Along with his studies he took all the work he could get his hands on in cinematography. Tómas wanted to make documentaries, where he would write, shoot and direct his own films. When he came back home from his studies in the summer of 1996, he received many offers to participate in exciting film projects. It was in 2002 where he decided to dedicate all his time to cinematography. With experience in both local and international productions, he has built an intriguing resume with a long list of feature films, documentaries, music videos, commercials and video art. On his website you can find his work experience summary and links to his main projects he has shot. www.tomastomasson.com

Kjartan is one of our most experienced sound recorders. After studying sound in Iceland, he went to Denmark and graduated as a Tone Master from The Danish Film School. With vast experience and specific attention to detail, Kjartan adds a remarkable world of sounds to his film projects. Kjartan has taught in The Icelandic University of Arts and The Icelandic Film School and has held lectures in The University of Iceland and The University of Reykjavík covering his field of speciality. In his career he has worked with both local and international projects, many of whom have been very successful.  Kjartan has recorded sound for many of Icelanders film favourites such as “Sódóma Reykjavík”, “Myrkrahöfðinginn” and “Englar Alheimsins” to name a few.

Heiðar Sumarliðason has an BA hons degree from Iceland University of the Arts in theatre and performance making, MA in creative writing from the University of Iceland and in directing from East15 in London. He is currently also getting a teacher license at Iceland University of the Arts. Heiðar has written stage works and screenplays that have been shown in theatres such as the National Theatre of Iceland, The City Theatre of Reykjavík and performed on National Broadcasting stations, as well as filmplay. Heiðar has directed 10 plays in professional theatre. He has his own podcast show and is also a film critic for Vísir news media. Among his main works is "90(210) Garðabær", "Rautt brennur and "Svín" radio play. Heiðar has also directed many plays like "Segðu mér satt" written by Hávar Sigurjónsson, "Glerdýrin" written by Tennessee Williams, "Pizzasendillinn" written by Elísabetu Jökulsdóttur, among his own work, to name a few.

Börkur Gunnarsson studied Film Directing in FAMU in Prague in the Czech Republic. Where he directed his first film, Silný kafe, which won both international and Icelandic prizes. He also directed the Icelandic film Þetta reddast. He is also a published writer with nine books; novels, novellas and a short story collection. Two of his plays have been staged. He worked for many years as an Art Director of Talent Lab for RIFF (Reykjavík International Film Festival) and for two years as a spokesperson for the festival. He has been a member of many film juries, worked for years as a film critic, was for four years in Reyjavík´s City Committee of Culture, for two years in the board of the Writer´s Union of Iceland (The largest Screenwriter´s Association of Iceland), for three years in the jury of the literature prize of Tómas Guðmundsson and more.

Rúnar studied acting in Denmark and worked there for a few years as an actor with various theatre groups. He went to Polland and Russia for further education. Rúnar got his MA in theatre studies and directing from De Montfort University in England and has finished the first part of a doctorate in theatre studies. He was the first professor in Dramatic Interpretation at Iceland University of the Arts. Rúnar has written and directed many theatre productions, both here in Iceland and abroad and taught acting and coached actors around Europe. He has as well acted in many films and TV shows.

Þórey has worked as an actress and director in theatre and films since she graduated from Icelands University of the Arts in 1991. Þórey received her teaching license from Icelands University of the Arts in 2004, MA degree in Advanced Theatre Practice from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama 2012 and an MA degree in Practical Cultural Communication from the University in Iceland in 2014. Þórey has for many years taught voice acting at Icelands University of the Arts and various courses for actors and people working with their voice. She has a license to teach the voice training method of Nadine George from The Voice Studio International in London and bases her teaching on NGT method. Þórey is one of the founders and creative director of the theatre group "Fljúgandi Fiskar" who have produced a few shows, "Hótel Hekla" written by nton Helga Jónsson og Lindu Vilhjálmsdóttur, Multi-Media written by Evrípídes to name a few. Þórey directed the play "Andaðu" written by Duncan Macmillan which was premiered in Iðnó in 2017. Þórey has taught voice at The Icelandic Film School since 2016.

Þórunn has been acting since 2001. She has acted on stage for both the Icelandic National Theatre and Borgarleikhúsið. Þórunn has traveled around the world both with theatre productions and by singing. She founded Vocal Art, a singing course where she teaches complete vocal technique. Þórunn is a certified singing coach from the Complete Vocal Institute in Copenhagen. She is also a songwriter, has written numerous songs that have competed in the Television Singing Contest and also two songs that have been Iceland's contribution in Eurovision. Þórunn was nominated for the Gríma awards for her role in “Dýrlingagengið” and the Edda awards for her role in the movie “Dís” and the series “Reykjavíkurnætur”

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Hlín has worked as a film producer since 2001 and has had many impacts in her career. Currently she is finishing a feature film “Quake” which will premiere in 2021. She founded the production company “Ursus Parvus” in 2011. She has been on the board committee for IKSA ( Icelandic Film-and Television Academy) since 2015. In 2016 she was elected chairman and has had that position since.

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Hilmar is one of the pioneers in filmmaking in Iceland. He premiered his first feature film in 1986. In his career he has directed many films, documentaries, radio plays and TV productions. He directed the film “Kaldaljos” which received 5 Edda awards and many other awards. Films that he has directed have three times been chosen to represent Iceland at the Oscars.

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Award winning Baldvin Z has been one of the most prominent directors in Iceland. He directed all 9 episodes of the critically acclaimed “Case”, 3 episodes of the hit TV series “Trapped” and with 3 feature films under his belt (Let Me Fall, Life In a Fishbowl, Jitters) Baldvin Z. is one of the most exciting and productive directors in the industry. His work has accumulated over 40 film awards, both international as well as 18 Edda awards (the Icelandic Film and Television Academy Awards). “Let Me Fall”, his latest film, released at Toronto Film Festival, became the second highest grossing film in Iceland’s history and “Life in a fishbowl” accumulated a record winning 12 Icelandic Academy Awards in 2015. Since then, he has directed “Island Songs” for Universal Studios, “Beyond Strength”, an independent documentary and “The Journey” a 6-episode drama series. His next directing project, Black Sands, is currently in production. 

Ninna has at a young age established a name for herself in the film industry, with her whole career ahead of her. She graduated with an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 2019. Her films have been screened at film festivals all around the world. Ninna won the Edda award in 2020 for best short, “Paperboy”.

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Sol Berruezo Pichon-Rivière (1996) is a filmmaker born in Argentina and based in Iceland. She’s graduated in Film Direction in the Universidad del Cine.

“Mamá, mamá, mamá” is her first feature film, shot only by women: both in the crew and in the cast. Her debut lm premiered at the Berlinale in 2020 in the Generation K Plus Competition, where it was awarded with the Special Mention of the Jury. She was also the youngest director of the 70th Berlinale. The movie was theatrically released in France, China and Argentina.

At the beginning of 2021, with the support of Biennale College Cinema she shot her second film : “Nuestros días más felices”. The film premiered in La Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia 78.

She’s currently working on her third film “There is something that illuminates and it is not the sun” set in Iceland, in her first novel, and in advertisement for the fashion industry. 

Börkur has a diverse experience in his film career. He has directed five documentaries, many short films, written two plays and has published a few books. Amongst his work as a director is the movie “Rock Bottom” that premiered in 2013. He has written life and culture columns for major new media and been a movie critic as well. He has been on the jury selection for RIFF and was also their public relations representative.

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Vera has directed many films and music videos throughout her career. She premiered her first full feature film in 2005 and has since then received many nominations and awards for her work. Vera has also been on juries for many film festivals and awards shows all around the world.

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Baldvin was a manager in the production company “Tjarnargatan” and worked there as a director and producer for 6 years. He has directed numerous commercials and documentaries. During his career he has also taught acting for children and adults as well as teaching Directing in The Icelandic Film School.

Hrafnkell has worked as a screenwriter and director since 2008. He has written many scripts for short movies and has many other projects in development. He was nominated for the Edda awards for “Polite People”, among his movies are “City State” and “City State 2: Brave Men’s Blood” that have received many nominations.

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Lee has been making films since he was 13 years old. He graduated from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA degree in filmmaking and later with an MFA degree in Studio Arts from the University of Southern California. His films have been screened in many festivals around the world, International Film Festival Rotterdam and Sundance to name a few.

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Curver is a self employed artist that has in his career put up various types of performances and art exhibits since the early nineties. He is a songwriter and has published and appeared on many records. He received the Icelandic Music awards for Record of the year in 2003.

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Vignir Rafn Valþórsson is an actor and writer, known for Ligeglad (2016), Snaeland (2020) and Flakið.

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Björn Ófeigsson has experience as a producer and cinematographer. He has experience both in feature film and in documentaries. Some of his previous work are: Dead Man's Cards (2006), Gnarr (2010) and Cold Light (2004).

Björn will teach these courses in the fall semester of 2023:

Cinematography 2 | SKT1202G

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Kjartan is one of our leading experts when it comes to sound. He has worked in the field since 1991. He has recorded and designed sound environments for many Icelandic movies and TV productions, “Trapped”, “Jar City”, “Cold Light”, “Englar alheimsins”, “Children of Nature” just to name a few. Along with his success in the film industry, he has been the head sound engineer on countless records.

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Vilius had worked in the film industry for the last decade. He is a director, editor and producer. He was nominated for The Daytime Emmy Awards for his work in Ocean Treks in 2018. He is currently producing the film “Axlar-Björn” which will premiere next year.

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Bjarni Felix is an experienced cinematographer with over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercials. He began his career in film as a gaffer turned cameraman. The past decade Bjarni has focused solely on cinematography. Bjarni studied art history at the University of Vienna in the late eighties prior to his entry into filmmaking, where he found his passion.

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Olaf has worked in the film industry for over two decades as a director, producer and as an editor. He has done many documentaries and received Edda awards for “Blindsker” and “Africa United”. He also received an award for best film at the New York LGBT Film Festival in 2008 for his film “The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela”. He also has directed and produced films like “The Higher Force”, “Polite People”, “City State” and “City State: Brave Men's Blood”.

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Davíð has worked in the film industry from the year 2000. He has worked in production and as an editor in various films for examples, “Sumarbörn” “Mihkel”, “Woman at War” and “Quake”.

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Heiðar Sumarliðason has an BA hons degree from Iceland University of the Arts in theatre and performance making, MA in creative writing from the University of Iceland and in directing from East15 in London. He is currently also getting a teacher license at Iceland University of the Arts. Heiðar has written stage works and screenplays that have been shown in theatres such as the National Theatre of Iceland, The City Theatre of Reykjavík and performed on National Broadcasting stations, as well as filmplay.

Dögg has worked as a director and screenwriter the last 15 years. She has directed many music videos for local bands and is currently working on two TV series and two full feature films. She is one of the founders of Stockfish film festival, which is held every year in Iceland.

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Rúnar studied acting in Denmark and England and has completed MA and Mphil degrees in theater studies and directing. In addition to his degrees, he has received various training in acting techniques in Poland, Italy and Russia. He has finished the first part of a doctorate in Theatre Studies. He has composed stage works, translated plays and engaged in various experimental activities in the field of performing arts and films. Rúnar has written and directed many theatre productions, both here in Iceland and abroad and taught acting and coached actors around Europe. He has been nominated 4 times for the Gríma awards as director of the year and as author of the year.

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Þórey has worked as an actress and director on stage since 1991. She has acted in production for the National Theatre in Iceland, Borgarleikhúsið and many other independent theatre groups. She is one of the founders and artistic director of the theatre group “Fljúgandi Fiskar”. The group has put on numerous productions that have been well received. The play “Breathe” that the group put on was nominated for the “Gríma” awards in 2017.

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Þórunn has been acting since 2001. She has acted on stage for both the Icelandic National Theatre and Borgarleikhúsið. Þórunn has traveled around the world both with theatre productions and by singing. She founded Vocal Art, a singing course where she teaches complete vocal technique. Þórunn is a certified singing coach from the Complete Vocal Institute in Copenhagen. She is also a songwriter, has written numerous songs that have competed in the Television Singing Contest and also two songs that have been Iceland's contribution in Eurovision. Þórunn was nominated for the Gríma awards for her role in “Dýrlingagengið” and the Edda awards for her role in the movie “Dís” and the series “Reykjavíkurnætur”

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Sigrún has acted both on stage and on screen. She was both with the National Theatre and Borgarleikhúsið. She was in the play “Tristan and Ísól” with the theatre group “Augnablik” and “Gallerí Njála” in the National Theatre. She was in the movies “Stuttur Frakki” and “Benjamín Dúfa”. She played a part in a christmas show in New York called “Christmas Revels” on Broadway. Sigrún has taught acting for children in elementary and high school as well as leading acting courses for people of all ages.

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Arna Magnea is a teacher, fight director, stunt performer and actress. Danks has a diploma in education from The Icelandic University of the Arts, BA degree in Acting from the University of East London and learned Stage Combat Teacher/Choreographer in the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. She was trained by Nick Hall; a Master of Arms and Chairman of the BADC. She has among many other projects been a stunt performer in productions like The Game of Thrones.

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Þorsteinn Bachmann is one of Iceland's most celebrated and experienced actor. He has experience from a plethora of projects both on stage and on screen. He also has a lot of education, including from the United States.

He has also worked in other areas in the industry, such as being the director of the theater group of Akureyri, produced projects and taught both in the Icelandic Film School and in his own acting school.

He has also directing a variety of different projects.

Þorsteinn has won the Edda award multiple times and has both nominations for more Edda awards as well as Gríma awards (the Edda being the Icelandic Oscar equivalent for movies and series, while Gríma being the awards for stage).

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Stefán has worked as an actor and a voice actor that for example is heard in a number of recorded audiobooks. He is a member of the theatre group “Lotta”and has put on numerous shows with the group. Stefán is one of the founders of “Skýjasmiðjan” and “Frú Norma leikhúss”. He has also been teaching performing arts, taught in elementary schools and holds acting courses for children and adults. Theatre pieces that Stefán has been a part of with the theatre group “Lotta” have won various awards like the Gríma awards.

Pálmi Sigurhjartarson has been working as a professional musician since 1984 and has participated in the production of numerous albums as an instrumentalist, arranger, producer, composer, and singer. He has also worked as a bandleader and music director for television, radio, and theater, as well as an accompanist for various artists and has been involved in music education.

Among his projects as a music and band director in television are: Spaugstofan (RUV), Það var lagið (Stöð 2), Gott Kvöld með Gísla Rúnari (Stöð 2), Vinir Sjonna (Iceland's entry for Eurovision 2011), and Stutt í Spunann (RUV).
In theater, his projects include: The Musical Ást (Vesturport, Borgarleikhúsið 2007), Love The Musical (Vesturport, Lyric Hammersmith 2008), Húsmóðirinn (Vesturport, Borgarleikhúsið 2011), Þetta er Lífið, with Charlotta Bøving (Iðnó 2010), Afinn (a one-man show by Sigurður Sigurjónsson, Borgarleikhúsið 2011), and Alvöru Menn (Austurbær 2012).

He was a performer and creator on the show Sniglabandið í beinni on Rás 2 (with over 200 radio episodes).

Pálmi works with the improv group Improv Island and has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts' performing arts program, the Icelandic Film School, and as an accompanist in FIH’s vocal department. He is active in four bands: Sniglabandið, Bogomil Font & Millarnir, Gildran, and Sváfnir Sig. He regularly collaborates with the country's leading singers. His first solo album, Undir fossins djúpa nið, was released as a double vinyl in 2021.

palmisigurhjartar@gmail.com