IFS Graduation Autumn 2024
Today, Saturday the 8th of February, 5 students from the international department of The Icelandic Film School graduated at a ceremony in Laugarásbíó. Awards were given for the best directed film and Bjarkinn, the award for the best film by the graduating group. Rector Hlín Jóhannesdóttir gave a speech that congratulated this wonderful group and we all look forward to following their work in the future.
Winner of Best Director and Bjarkinn, the best graduation film
"Strangers in the night" by Evangelos Chatzopoulos who graduated from Directing and Producing
On a snowy Christmas Eve in Reykjavik, a lonely, aging rocker encounters a mysterious young woman who holds the key to a hidden chapter of his past, forcing him to confront buried truths about family, freedom, and the untold cost of his rock-and-roll dreams.
The jury gave the following comment ;
Well produced, well shot, well acted – clear story although a bit predictable. But that's okay. Good technical work, good setting – solid execution.
"This terrific world" by Yuchen Zeng who graduated from Directing and Producing
World War III has ended. Nik, a soldier who finds it difficult to reintegrate into society; Green, a government official who refuses to leave his house out of fear; Jon, a dedicated man who finds it difficult to understand the truth, and Helen, a mysterious girl who loves to tell a story, meet in a world where they all compete with each other in a struggle to find out “What kind of world is this?”
"Anniversary" by Yulia Malkova who graduated from Screenwriting and Directing
Greg, a man consumed by jealousy, suspects his wife Mary of infidelity and begins obsessively spying on her from his car, using a telescope. Initially, it seems his paranoia drives him, but, like many jealous lovers, Greg is a hidden voyeur, secretly enjoying watching Mary and waiting for her to betray him. His obsession deepens, pushing him to stage a scenario by inviting his friend Nick to visit Mary, hoping to catch her in an act of betrayal. As Nick’s behavior takes an unexpected turn, Greg’s game spirals out of control, leaving him to confront the humiliating fallout of his own destructive fixation.
"Call me the breeze" by Alessio Fresta who graduated from Screenwriting and Directing
A man goes around town running errands for his wife. At the end of the evening a stroke of luck will change his life.
"And then the world stopped" by Michelle Pröstler who graduated from Screenwriting and Directing
In the wake of a devastating, life-changing incident, a teenage girl grapples with the weight of silence and the fight to reclaim her voice, as her world threatens to fall apart with her in the middle of it.
