The Independent Art Schools are getting together and having an introduction week, a perfect opportunity to gain information on each school and its inner workings. The Icelandic Film School will have its open day on Thursday the 22nd of February from 1-6pm.

On this day the school will be open to anyone interested in the inner workings of the school, available courses in all four departments and everyone interested in creative work and filmmaking

Our students will be working from 1-4 pm on their varied assignments in classes with their teachers. Chosen projects from all our students will be shown through the day and graduation films will be shown in the schools auditorium from 4-6 pm.

Among the available viewing in the open classes will be:

• Production
• Film language and process
• Documentary making
• VFX
• Acting and voicing in films
• Short films and other projects
• Graduation films

Schedules and opening hours, along with further information for each school can be found on their pages:

Kvikmyndaskóli Íslands  The Icelandic Film School
Thursday 1-6pm

Last week was the last teaching week of the spring semester before premieres and students were busy putting their final touches on their graduation films.

Despite that there were a few courses running. The second semester of Creative Technology finished their course in special effects with Sigurgeir Arinbjornsson (Star Trek Discovery) . 3rd semester students worked on coloring of their documentaries under the guidance of Johannes Tryggvason.

Second semester students of Acting premiered their play, directed by Runar Gudbrandsson and 3rd semester rehearsed their musical that will be premiered in the new year, due to bad weather last week, as well as finishe their course in television programming.

This week we will be showing our students graduation films, from Wednesday to Friday, at Bio Paradis, and you are all invited to come and enjoy with us. Here is the schedule;

13:00 TÆK 106 – Minute films – 1st semester

13:45 TÆK 204 – Introduction films – 2nd semester

15:00 MYN 104 – Remade scenes 3rd semester

15:30 TON 103 – Music videos – 1st semester D1

15:50 AUG 103 – Advertisements – 1st semester D1

16:00 KVM 204/KLM 204 – 2nd semester D2


13:00 STU 106 – Shortfilms – 3rd semester D1

13:45 FJÖ 106 – Multi camera – 3rd semester D1

14:30 KVM 304/KLM 304 – 3rd semester D2

15:00 LOH 306 / STU 106 – Short films – 3rd semester


13:00 LOK 106 – Final projects – 1st semester

14:30 TIL 102 – Experimental films – 3rd semester D1

We will be a part of a big showcase of different studying options at Laugardalsholl from the 14th to the 16th of March.

Starting from 2pm and closing at 5pm on Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday, our people will be available to introduce to you the exciting world of cinema making

It’s the feeling that usually fills the air the final week of school, where we celebrate everything our students have an accomplished during the semester.

But pride isn’t the emotion that’s been in my heart these last few weeks, with the recent revelations about our society, industry and institutions within, including our school. Insecurity, helplessness, sadness and anger are emotions that have been in much more use than pride.

But despite this we can allow ourselves to feel pride this coming week. We’re proud of our first term students experiencing their very first premiere. We’re proud of all our students who worked hard and now premiere their various projects. Documentaries, short films, introductory films and many more. And of course, not forgetting the students that lent a hand to make these projects a reality.

We can also be proud of our graduated students this fall. It’s hard to find a TV-Series or feature film crew that doesn’t include an Icelandic Film School re-union on set. We can also be proud of our former students, who have bravely come forward, and by telling their story made our school becomes a better place.

And last but not least, we can be proud of our graduating students, who this week finish their two year study with the premiere of the final project. To them we say with pride … congratulations and good luck.

Head of Studies statement to the graduation students

Film making in Iceland has seen some amazing things happening in recent years. Icelandic director Ragnar Bragason made a revealing list of events and impressive facts concerning the business in Iceland on Facebook the other day and we believe there is a valid reason to share his words with you.

Icelandic filmmakers are on a roll. Incredible things have happened internationally in the past 12 months. Highlights include:
Of Horses and Men gets the Nordic Council Film Prize.
Johann Johannsson receives an Golden Globe for Best Soundtrack and a nomination for an Oscar.
Thor Sigurjonsson, Skuli Malmquist and Joni Sighvatsson produce Z for Zachariah with big name stars and premiere at Sundance.
Virgin Mountain receives three major prizes at Tribeca.
Rams wins Un Certain Regard at Cannes and then a price at every other festival. Variety predicts that it will be nominated for Best Foreign at the Oscars.
TV series Trapped is sold to all major networks in Europe and will be distributed by The Weinstein Company in the US.
Baltasar Kormakur directs Everest, opening film at Venice and tops the box office in over 15 countries. He also receives the Filmmaker of the Year prize from The National Association of Theatre Owners in the US for his past successes.
And today Runar Runarsson’s Sparrows wins Best Film at San Sebastian.
Not mentioning other numerous awards and critical successes of other Icelandic features, documentaries and shorts.
I don’t think people fully realise how incredible this is for a nation of 320.000 people

The icelandic film miracle – Ragnar Bragason on icelandic filmmakers

With the global epidemic that has had a foothold in most countries, devastating most populations, Iceland has of course been greatly affected by it. What seems to set the country apart from most though, is its ability to handle the spread, and find the best way to contain it.

Through the years Iceland has been a favorite destination of filmmakers, with the awe-inspiring landscape and its extreme contrasts, a few of the projects shot in the country include “Game of Thrones”, “The secret life of Walter Mitty”, “Die another day”, Star Wars, “Prometheus” and many more.

Vidir Reynisson, Head of the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, has been doing daily press meetings with the public in Iceland to keep them informed of the situation, and on Tuesday he said that he was open to allowing foreign filmmakers into the country this summer to shoot their projects. The news story, from the Icelandic Government news channel, is translated here below :

Vidir Reynisson, says it is a great possibility that foreign filmmakers will be allowed to enter the country this summer do work on their projects here. Anything that can be set within the state of the keeping the infection at bay is a possibility.„We have been looking at this from many angles and it does not matter what the job is.“ Vidir named for instance that fish breeding plants have been getting experts into the country. It all has to do with the precautions set.He said that the head of epidemiology has gone to work on examining how certain fields can be re-started. And it will be interesting to see the outcome from that.The national news agency announced yesterday that the head of epidemiology had received a query last week about a possible meeting on how the country could open up for foreign filmmakers that wish to work here. Among the suggested has been testing the crew for Covid-19 and that they will be requested to keep to certain areas. The film staff would rent smaller hotels that would only serve them and enter the counrty by hired planes.Einar Hansen Tomasson at “Film in Iceland” said speaking to the news yesterday that they were waiting for a response from the government. “We want to know if this is completely foolish or not. It all begins with a conversation.”Foreign film companies have shown interest in Iceland after the streaming site Netflix announced that they had projects going in two countries, Iceland and South Korea. The reason for that was that these two countries had been at the front of testing for the virus and tracing the contagion.

Iceland’s Prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, has also been vocal about Iceland gaining control over the epidemic, as she said in an interview with France 24 .

The world of films is a varied one, and it has hardly passed anyone that Icelandic film makers are achieving great thing worldwide. Here at The Film School we have four different courses available;

We invite you to come to our open house, next Tuesday the 1st of October, from 2-4pm. Guests will be able to look in on classes and work spaces, get a look at students preparing the semesters projects and have a chat with both students and teachers.

Here is a link to the event on Facebook and we hope to see you there !

Lovísa Lára finishes shooting her first feature film and prepares the horror film festival Frostbiter

Directing and Producing first semester students finished a course in advertisement by making their own advert, under the direction of the advert master Freyr Arnason. They then began a course in the making of music videos with Erlendur Sveinsson (Kanari). 
Third semester students premiered a multi camera show they recorded the week before, finished a course in script writing with Tinna Hrafnsdottir (Munda) that they will direct at the end of the semester and began a study in Re-making a scene with other students in their third semester, where they will also learn story boarding .

First semester students of Creative Technology took their first course in cinematography under the direction of Stefan Loftsson (Brotid). Second semester students finished their short films which show their personal style with a premiere, directed by Agusta Margret Johannsdottir (Useless) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). Third semester students used the week to film a documentary that they will continue to work on through the semester.

Screen writing /Directing first semester students sat a course in the basic rules of script making under the direction of Otto Geir Borg (I remember you, Astropia). Third semester students sat a course in integration where they will write the script for their own short film under the tutelage of Tinna Hrafnsdottir (Munda) , that they will direct at the end of the semester, as well as a course in full length scripts, where they will write a first draft for a full length film with Hrafnkell Stefansson (Kurteist Folk, Borgriki) as well as beginning a course in Re-making a scene with other third semester students. Fourth semester students sat a course in production where they will, among else, prepare their final film under the direction of Hlin Johannesdottir (Svanurinn, Bokeh) and continued to work on it in a course in directing with Gunnar B. Gudmundsson (Astropia, Gauragangur).

First semester students of Acting did a course in vocal training with Thorey Sigthorsdottir (Agnes, Kaldaljos) and Acting technique with Runar Gudbrandsson (Svartur a leik, XL). Second semester students ended the work on their short films that show their personal style by a premiere. Directing them were Agusta Margret Johannsdottir (Useless) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). Third semester students finished a class in acting history with Runar Gudbrandsson (Svartur a leik, XL) and joined other third semester students in a course of Re-making a scene.

Kinema, the schools student union, had an open Script Workshop and a Karaoke night on Tuesday and a Game evening on Thursday as usual. They then also had a Waffleday and celebrated Pink Day.


And the week ended with Film History in Bio Paradis, where the whole school came together.

Storyboarding, Pretty in Pink and so much more during the last week

Ólgusjór – a new short film by Andri Freyr Ríkharðsson

The Film Schools spring semester was formally set this week by our head of studies, Hrafnkell Stefansson, where students and teachers were welcomed back. Afterwards students met the heads of each department and began their studies. 
21 students began their first semester at the school by listening to a talk the director Hilmar Oddson (Kaldaljos, Tar ur steini) held for them on work ethics and then took their first course TAEK 107, where they will learn the basics of film making and produce a one minute film.

Students in their 2nd semester of Directing and Producing began the semester at a course in television schedule making with the third semester in Acting under the guidance of Baldvin Albertsson, as well as taking art history with Fourth semester students began a course in documentary making with and a course in script making with along with the fourth semester of Script writing and Directing, where they will be working on the script for their graduation films.

Second semester students of Creative Technology began a course in filming with Bjorns Ofeigsson (Gnarr, Lazy Town) where they will be shooting a short film without words. 3rd semester took a course in script making with Hrafnkell Stefansson (Kurteist Folk, Borgriki) and a course in film effects with the new head of that department Sigurgeir Arinbjornsson (Stella Blomkvist, Star Trek: Discovery). 4th semester students took a course with 4th semester students of Script writing and Directing with Arnar Benjamin (A Reykjavik Porno, Thirst) and began preparation for their final project with their guide, Olafur De Fleur (Borgriki, Malevolent).

2nd semester students of Script writing and Directing began a course in script writing for television, where they will write a pilot for their own show under the direction of as well as taking art history with Lee Lorenzo Lynch. 4th semester sat a course in producing with Arnar Benjamin (A Reykjavik Porno, Thirst) and a course in script rewrites for full length scripts with Hrafnkell Stefansson (Kurteist Folk, Borgriki).

2nd semester students of Acting began the semester with acting technique with and a course in stage battles with the 3rd semester, given by Arna Magnea Danks (Trapped, Stella Blomkvist). 3rd semester also took a course in schedule making for television with 2nd semester students of Directing and producing, under the guidance of Baldvin Albertsson.  4th semester began a course in script making with Kolbrun Anna Bjornsdottir (Svartir Englar) and a refresher course in vocal work with Thorey Sigthorsdottir (Agnes, Kaldaljos).

There is a lot of excitement around the student association and they will begin their work again next week.

The Film Schools students, who have these last few weeks been sat at home being taught remotely, finally returned back to the school for traditional classes, though of course maintaining their 2 meter distance rules. Filming and preparing to film was a priority, as the students have not had the opportunity for it recently.

1st semester students of Directing took Directing Actors with Thorsteinn Gunnar Bjarnason. 2nd semester students prepared to record short films and 4th semester students prepped filming documentaries.

1st semester students assisted 3rd semester students in re-shooting a scene. 2nd semester students took a course in Color Processing with Johannes Tryggvason. 3rd semester students were filming a re-shot scene. 4th semester students finished editing their graduation films.

2nd semester students sat a course in the making of documentaries and prepared shooting their own documentary. 4th semester students worked on finishing their rewrites of full length scripts, as well as preparing shooting their graduation films.

1st semester students sat a course in Acting and Movement with Gudmundur Elias Knudsen and finished the course with a spectacular demonstration, as well as taking a course in Acting Interpretation with Runar Gudbrandsson. 2nd semester students began setting up a play they will be premiering at the end of May. 3rd semester students were filming a re-made scene. 4th semester students prepared shooting their graduation films.

The last few weeks have of course affected the school greatly, but with extraordinary students and staff, we will get back to our former work process and look forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor this summer.

Vimeo chooses Anton Smári Gunnarsons video as Staff Pick

Icelandic media has been busy last couple of weeks reporting that the next chapter of the Star Wars saga is currently being filmed here in Iceland.

Reports of Icelandic company True North assisting an American crew on set and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen being spotted in the south of Iceland seem to be confirmed. Web media mbl.is also confirms news that the location of shooting is in the southern parts of the country around the spectacular area also used for Aronofsky´s filming of Noah.

Still to be confirmed is though if rumours about several participants in the production being graduates from IFS. We will report to you any leads in that direction.

Next chapter of Star Wars filmed in Iceland

The Stockfish Film Festival began yesterday and will be running until March 11th. There are many events and film showings that people should not miss. All event information can be found on their homepage here and tickets can be bought here

The festival also has a great Facebook page where you can follow everything that is happening

Now is a great time to go to the movies !

The Stockfish Film Festival and a wide variety of choices

On December 23rd an agreement between The Icelandic Film School and Iceland´s Ministry of Education, Science and Culture was confirmed by the country´s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Bjarni Benediktsson.
A few days earlier the agreement was signed by minister of Education Illugi Gunnarsson, IFS dean, Hilmar Oddsson and Böðvar Bjarki Pétursson, chairman, representing the owners of the school.
The agreement is an important step towards a bright future for the school and it´s operation securing financing for the next three years.

The agreement is a great relief for us ensuring the school´s future. Now we can concentrate on the inner values of our education. This will be an important part of building up an even more powerful film making in our country.

says dean Hilmar Oddsson. To meet the ministry´s part of the agreement to  secure future funding for IFS it also includes the school´s obligation to increase it´s share capital. This has according to Pétursson already been ensured with investors.
IFS´s student´s and staff have therefore a good  reason to celebrate a new year. This weeks events are of great importance  and will for sure be a milestone in IFS´s 23 year long history now looking towards a bright future.

IFS reaches an agreement on future funding with Iceland´s Ministry of Education

Stockfish film festival is just around the corner

Hrafnkell Stefánsson, the Dean of the Screenwriting- and Directing department, has announced a new cooperation with the Les Arcs Film Festival that is held each year in the french Alps. Film School Village is an exciting venue for graduated students from the main film schools in Europe and now The Icelandic Film School will be directly participating and choosing a graduated director to send on its behalf. Hrafnkell told us more about this great opportunity.

The film festival Les Arcs has invited one graduated film director from our school to the Film School Village, a co-production market for full length films, to be held from the 16th to the 19th of December this year. The chosen student will receive airfare to the festival, accommodations, meals, a pass to the festival itself along with a ski pass, and an opportunity to pitch his film to potential producers. Added to that the director can bring his own producer that will be receiving the same package, only excluding the airfare.
This is the first time that one of our students gets this invite and we truly hope that this cooperation will continue for years to come.

We have been increasing international cooperation for the last few years, since we joined CILECT, the international association of film schools, and there we are in a group with the best 140-150 film schools in the world. It is a certain stamp of quality on what we teach, and our graduated students, and opens door to occasions such as this. For an example we held a script workshop with our students and FAMU.

Film School Village is a co-production market for recently graduated students from film schools, and the premise is that they have graduated within the last two years. At the market the participants get a chance to introduce a full length film in progress. That includes a pitch, various networking options, workshops and direct meetings with producers. There are approximately 300 producers that participate in the market and therefor many opportunities to find the right contacts for each project. Added to that the participants get to enjoy the festivals screenings, along with the events and a ski pass.

What are you looking for in a participant ?

We are looking for a director that has a full length film on the drawing board. At least a detailed treatment, but of course the further along the project is, the better. A committee within the school will go over the projects we get and decide on which is chosen.

Students of The Icelandic Film School who have graduated from May 2015 until today. Which means that students beginning their 4th semester this fall are also eligible. I know of quite a few graduated students that have exciting projects in the works, some of whom were conceived of in their studies at the Film School and I am very excited to see which students and project apply.

How should the participants enter and when is the last possible date to send the pitch?

The project must be sent at the latest on August 31st, a detailed treatment and a page on the status of the project, and a committee within the school will go over the projects and choose one to be sent to the venue. Applications should be sent to the email address hrafnkell@kvikmyndaskoli.is and we will announce the chosen one around the middle of September.

An amazing opportunity for graduated Directors from The Icelandic Film School at the Les Arcs Film Festival

Search results

Are you an artist in the making?

Premieres are on this week

Considering studying filmmaking?

Head of Studies statement to the graduation students

The icelandic film miracle – Ragnar Bragason on icelandic filmmakers

Iceland in the time of Covid19

Would you like to learn film making?

Lovísa Lára finishes shooting her first feature film and prepares the horror film festival Frostbiter

Storyboarding, Pretty in Pink and so much more during the last week

Ólgusjór – a new short film by Andri Freyr Ríkharðsson

And the school year begins again

The Film School reopens after quarantine