Deans Graduation speech - IFS Autumn 2024
On February 8th five students graduated from IFS, the international department of The Film School, and at the ceremony Dean Hlín Jóhannesdóttir gave a speech and encouraged these artists onwards.
Dear graduates and attendees, teachers, staff, and administrators. Other guests.
A heartfelt welcome to the graduation ceremony at The Icelandic Film School in winter 2025.
This is the second graduation of foreign students at The Icelandic Film School, Kvikmyndaskóli Íslands, and I am exceedingly proud to be here handing out your diplomas, dear students.
I know this is a considerable milestone for you - going far away to study would always be, but going to Iceland to study filmmaking is remarkable and really says a lot about you, adventurous, determined and brave.
It is safe to say that studying at The Icelandic Film School is a massive challenge for each and every one, but simply to complete this study confirms that you as individuals are well-suited for filmmaking. There are high demands placed on every student to excel in their personal studies as well as to successfully interact with their fellow students and the tasks they undertake in groups. Very well done indeed.
No one reaches this point except on their own merits. The pinnacle is then to create a complete graduation film.
Your graduation film is a personal film work that confirms your abilities to be driving forces in filmmaking. At the same time, you prove yourselves as professional artists in your respective fields, whether it be acting, producing, directing, creative technology, or scriptwriting. Dedication must also be high as the standards are demanding. For years The Icelandic Film School has scored high at the annual international competition of film schools, CILECT. In addition, the graduation films of our students have made it to festivals, received awards, and been shown on television.
With each graduation, it is a pleasant surprise for us, who work at The Icelandic Film School, to observe the quality of your films, particularly when you consider the tight conditions you work with. Do not forget that those of us working at The Film School are more or less all out there in the industry where things often go askew and progress is usually slow. But within The Film School, students are defying the laws of time, season after season, by producing films, with limited time and resources, that should not be possible to create. We have long realized that those students who make it all the way to graduation possess the dedication to constantly tackle the seemingly impossible. Like true heroes.
The Icelandic Film School has long since proven its value and is a considerable factor in the professional advancement of filmmaking in Iceland over the last three decades. Now, with the IFS branch up and running, further possibilities and networking opportunities are emerging. Our international connections are strengthening every semester. It is my hope that you, dear graduates, feel empowered having finished these two years with such good results. We will do what we can to back you up for future adventures.
The Icelandic Film School is an institution that for over 30 years has supported those who wish to pursue a career in filmmaking. Now, dear graduates, you are graduating from this school and spreading your wings to face the diverse and exciting possibilities ahead.
Congratulations on this day, dear graduates, thank you for your companionship, and may you excel to the best. We follow your journey with warmth and pride.
