Audiences have been moderate the last four days in Tjarnarbíó in central Reykjavík where RIFF has been at large since Thursday.

Tonight however there is a huge change. A full house of enthusiasts can maybe be explained with six of tonight´s eight films being connected with The Icelandic Film School.

We will be reporting to you with further developments.

A full house at RIFF´s Short film section – A real IFS night

Dear graduation students, parents, families and friends, teachers and staff members, I welcome you to this graduation from The Icelandic Film School in the spring of the year 2020.

It is always enjoyable for us to graduate students and especially on such a lovely day. Last evening I watched your graduation films and was convinced that you were ready for the deep end. It surprised me how little effect the Corona virus had on the quality of your projects. Because of course this virus completely skewed this last semester. But you did get precious experience in handling the unexpected and defeating this challenge. It happens to be one of the most important features of film making to be able to react to changed circumstances because there will always be unforeseen changes while crafting film projects. For instance the weather, there is no weather in this country, but only examples of weather. It changes constantly and then you need to be able use it and not let the weather control you. It is my experience that the most beautiful film shots in Iceland were shot in extreme weather. When you would not take your dog out for a walk, but exactly in those storms lie opportunities to separate our projects from the calmness of Hollywood where there are always sunny skies. Which is why you need to embrace the saying that local is global. When it comes to choosing future projects it is good to keep in mind to extract them from your local environment. Think like a chef that only uses local produce. And speaking of food and films, try to avoid making films that are only meant to pass time, like fast food is meant to quell hunger for a short while. Try instead making something extraordinary straight from the farm. It is always an experience to watch a film from an exotic country and get to know its culture and traditions, for example the “Parasites” that were awarded the last Oscars. But what environment awaits you?

The positive of the virus is that it created a worldwide condition that we can use to our advantage. It stopped all film making in the world where it flowed before and therefor there are a few grand films awaiting to be shot here. You should all try to get work on these projects and add to your experience. Because in our field we are constantly learning and adding to our collective know how.

I am one of many that the Minister of Education chosen to a committee to shape a vision of the next ten years. In it there is being layed a foundation for a better environment for your future if the government follows through with the proposals. Among others we have put a greater emphasis on growing productions of television material and financially less challenging beginner films. But film making will always be hard work as the global market is so very small. But the desire to tell stories must always be enflamed by passion for the film form as then you will be rewarded by the passion repaid. The passage from an idea of a film to seeing it on the big screen is long. Most of my films have been in the evolving stage for 5 years because patience is a necessity. It is often painful to have a complete film in your mind but not being able to extract it because financing is missing. But trust me, all films benefit from rolling around your head because the knowledge of a painkiller being around the corner is so creative. It is also important to keep in mind that film making is the coordination of multiple artists. It can be likened to a simphony orchestra where each musical instrument plays a part and if one false note is played then you have to start again. That is why respect for others on the project is essential for the best possible end product. For me listening to those that work with me has been especially fortunate. Because the people you work with on each project are improving it. A person that never listens to others usually ends up an isolated idiot laced with an inferiority complex.

Our school is at a milestone, as we will be moving to a new housing before the fall. There we will embrace a long term future vision. We are also working on getting our studies to a university degree. This would not have been possible if not for the kindness of our Minister of Education, Lilja Alfredsdottir, who released the school from many years of contract negotiations with the government and now stands behind the school’s students in making the studies university qualified. As many of you might have seen we have been advertising the position of an assistant principal. This is a new position meant to guide the transfer over to a university level and strengthen the structure of a universal department.  

The Icelandic Film School is exactly on the verge, as on Monday the 29th of June the Icelandic University Quality committee will be meeting about the request of the Ministry of Education and Culture about forming a 3 man review board of foreign experts, that will be giving the minister advice on the existing request for university level changes.  The Film School has requested that the coming review be held in September and that the expected results would be made on December the 1st.

The reason for requesting an accelerated review is the importance of the film industry for the Icelandic economy and community. It is very urgent for the industry to get it to  university qualifications and for the students it is imperative for specialized training, or other future studies. 



We are not only speaking of future students in this context. The Icelandic Film School has been operating by university standards from the year 2010, really even 2007. During this time the school has graduated 500 students and you can assume that at least part of them would like their studies to be applicable to a Bachelor’s degree. Among those are the students graduating here today.

We intend on closing the contract with the University of Iceland as soon as The Film Schools university acknowledgement is in place, and offer the one year study at their wonderful film making department up to a BA degree. We hope to be able to offer this 3 year course in conjunction with The University of Iceland for the spring semester of 2021. As well as having the assessment of past studies available. It must be mentioned that negotiations with The University of Iceland has been ongoing for years and is broadly speaking ready. In actuality the university studies begin this fall and the fall semester will be valued as a university level.

The Film School has already begun the transformation. A four person jury of renowned doctors has been chosen, to evaluate the competence of prospective academic employees. Prospective professors will be hired in August. There has also been formed a 12 person university council, among others headed by representatives from all the main professional associations of film makers and actors. Many other items are in development. No fundamental changes are expected in the curriculum and The Film School is confident that it has the professional quality needed, as it has been in international cooperation for years now and has been able to compare the quality of education to all major film schools abroad.


During times like these that are running amok in Icelandic economy, where income has been contracted by a high percentage, and both the industries and the people in the country are trying to reflate the labor and income, it is imperative that both the educational system and government reacts with haste. The Icelandic Film School gaining university recognition and students earning a university degree actually accelerates the rebuilding of an imperative line of work.It is important to remember that the film industry has been among the top 15 revenue makers in the country and has great room to grow. In this position it is crucial that studying at The Film School is correctly evaluated for the best possible support.


My mother used to begin her speeches by saying; “Today is a day worth remembering.” That will be my final words to you, congratulations on this beautiful day and may it be one to remember .

We have extremely varied subjects at The Film School

Anna Sæunn studied acting at the Icelandic Film School but she is now at Cannes where showings of the film Hrútar are ongoing and a competitor in the Un Certain Regard part of the festival. But that’s not all because she participated in the the pitch competition (Shorts TV) where she presented an idea for a short film called Salvation. The winning prize is 5000 euros to support making the film. 5 films were nominated but in the end, the panel picked 1 winner and as it turns out, that winner is Anna Sæunn.

The Icelandic Film School congratulates her for her amazing success in Cannes and at the same time, we look forward to seeing the film when it is ready.

Ten brand new filmmakers graduated from the Icelandic Film School last Saturday.
The ceremony was presented by one of Iceland´s most prominent actors,  Þorsteinn Bachmann who in recent years  has given numerous acting courses at the school. Prize-winners this year came from Creative Technology, Ásgeir Logi Axelsson and Ragnar Ingi Magnússon won the school prize for best film as well as the prize named BJARKI for their film Himinn og Jörð (Heaven and Earth).
Bolli Már Bjarnason won the prize for the best film from the actors department and Knútur Hauksteinn Ólafsson got an award for best results from the same department.
The Icelandic Film School congratulates all graduates and winners of prizes on their achievements.

Ten new Icelandic film makers – Graduation day at the Icelandic Film School

We asked Mahesh Raghavan who began his studies here at the Icelandic Film School – International department last august how he came agross the school?

I wanted to study film making in Europe and was looking for schools teaching in English. I found the Icelandic Film School through CILECT and decided to apply for it.

Raghavan says he has not had any formal education in film making before moving to Iceland.

I did however finish a Masters degree in Journalism and Communication which had one or two courses about film and radio.

And he has not found any surprises since he started his studies here at the school in August.

Things are pretty much exactly how I expected it to be. I have started to look at films from a new perspective. I have learnt things that I have overlooked all these years.

Raghavan is happy with the working environment in IFS.

It is a small environment that makes it all the more interesting. It is easier to interact and be taught by the top artists in the industry. The place has its own share of advantages. It is beautiful and calm to shoot, think, write and find oneself.

And what are his expectation after finishing studies at IFS?

 I expect to start looking at and making films from a broader perspective, get the basics right which would help me in a professional life in the long run. I would try to explore the possibilities in this art form, which is probably one of the most modern of our times.

“It is beautiful and calm to shoot, think, write and find oneself” – Mahesh Raghavan is happy studying at IFS

IFS welcomes two new heads of departments

Hlín Jóhannesdóttir, head of Directing/Producing is heading for Toronto this week, visiting this year´s Toronto International Film Festival.

I was invited to take part in a producers lab at the European Film Promotion aimed at promoting and marketing European film internationally. I´m joining a group of ten European producers and ten others from Canada. We are going to explore the possibility to increase cooperation between Europe and Canada. I will introduce a film project that Vintage Pictures are working on with Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir, called Only Castles Burning and hopefully this will bring in a co-producer for us.

In 2013 I also visited the festival with the film This is Sanlitum by Róbert Ingi Douglas. I found it to be the most superb experience. The scope of the festival is great and it is fantastically organized.

Future projects of Hlin include a new film, Svanurinn (The Swan) written by her and Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir.

Ása Helga is directing that film and we exspect to start shooting next spring. Vintage Pictures will produce it. The work on two other films full-length are close to end and of course, my work for IFS is keeping my busy and happy.

Hlín Jóhannesdótter, head of Directing/Producing to visit TIFF

Knutur Haukstein Olafsson graduated from The Film School with his graduation film “Inferno” in 2015.

Since then he has had great success at various film festivals and now has added to the awards by winning Best experimental film of the year at the Onrios Film Festival.

The Onrios film festival is a monthly festival that is set up so that the films that win each month of the year can advance to the annual competition, or “The Best of Year”, that is held in Aosta in Italy. Knut´s film won for the “Best experimental film” in February this year, and was then honored to be nominated to the annual awards along with four others and ended up winning first prize in the category. We can add that known filmmakers like Paul Sorvino of “Goodfellas” and Sir David Attenborough have won monthly awards at this festival.

Here you can view an interview with Knutur at the festival

We got permission from Knut to let you enjoy the film;


Director: Kristin Isabella Karlsdottir
Lead roles: Knutur Haukstein Olafsson and Lara Magnusdottir
Script: Knutur Haukstein Olafsson og Kristin Isabella Karlsdottir

We send our sincere congratulations to Knut and his team and will be looking forward to following his success in the future

“Inferno” takes first prize at The Onrios Film Festival

As was previously reported, Ólöf Birna Torfadóttir was chosen from a group of applicants to go to the Les Arcs Film School Village at the end of last year and we got her to tell us about her incredible experience

I along with Bjarni Guðmundsson, one of the producers of MyrkaMyndir, got the amazing opportunity to take my film “How to be a Classy Tramp” to the Les Arcs Film School Village last December
What an experience and adventure. It was incredible fun, we learned so much and of course the beauty of the french Alps is stunning. It was partly like being in Whoville, inside a snowflake far away from reality. Or like Thomas, one of the managers of the Film School Village, said ; “Its a beautiful mixture between Disneyland and The Shining”
We arrived late on the opening night, I believe we were the last of the participants to arrive. Suzy and Thomas welcomed us, but they are the managers of the Film School Village. Wonderful, top people, always smiling and always helpful
The next day we all met with Suzy and Thomas and went over the program ahead and straight after lunch we started on the one on one meetings. We all got signed a table with the name of our project on it. Producers, sales representatives and others that were interested walked between the tables. Each meeting was about 30 minutes and was closed by the ring of a large cow bell
The first meeting went incredibly well and got us amped up. Of course one was stressed to begin with and really with each meeting, but when it begins one has to plow through. Before we left for Les Arcs I was asked to put two short films I had made on the Festival Sco Pro where both producers and other participants were able to watch if they were interested and our first meeting was with one who had watched “Last summer”, my graduation film from The Icelandic Film School, and immediately started to talk to us about it and that is why he wanted to come and meet with us. It was certainly a shot of energy to hear that in our first meeting
The next day we met our composer. The Film School Village has had a certain program for the last few years where directors are put in touch with composers a few weeks before the festival. I think this is a great idea. They spoke about the fact that the music sometimes gets forgotten until nearing the end of the film making, even though the music is such a big part of the film. A film is not the same without the right music. I will most assuredly from now on while writing a script start thinking about the music from the very beginning and be able to see the scenes more clearly and write accordingly
But when I was there and I was put in contact with my composer, David Piérre, I had not started to map out the music at all. But I sent him some reference and thoughts which he then worked from. We then met at the festival and and got to hear some demos and oh my lord how this man had everything in order! I was thrilled ! I looked at Bjarni and said “He just gets me dude”. I knew immediately that I wanted to continue working with him on the film. What was even better was that he was so excited to continue the work as it is his dream genre of music to make and that settled it. He is the music composer for “How to be a classy tramp”
There is also a giant plus to the equation that I learnt from Suzy after I told her. If a continued cooperation occurs between a director and composer on the project, you have a right to apply for a grant from the festival fund for up to 5000 EUR that then would be used for the cost of the music making. Which is amazing
We got to meet some wonderful people that were also in The Film School Village and the group just clicked so well, it was difficult to say goodbye. But we will keep in touch and who knows, maybe we will join together again for future projects
I learnt alot from this experience. I have of course never done anything like this before but this was an incredible experience. It teaches one to be aware the whole time and to be prepared for anything and any questions. It is a forceful trial and you are constantly trying to improve after every meeting. Which shows that you never really learn the perfect pitch, but you continuously relearn to make the pitch good
I am tremendously grateful to The Film School for choosing me to go. On the whole it went very well and there were many both interested and had faith in the project. I am optimistic about the continuing progress and do believe there will be some kind of a cooperation from this in making the film
My advice to those that will go next time is to simply continue. Do not be disheartened even though some meetings might not go as well, as that will happen in between. Bjarni and I were continuously improving and fixing the pitch between meetings, finding out what worked and what did not. Then there is also the difference in what people are looking for. Try to read what they are looking for and then present why your film is exactly that. That may be the biggest lesson I got from this. There is quite alot of selling involved. But above all believe in what you do because if your heart is in it it will shine through

The Les Arcs Film Festival and Ólöf Birna

Graduation, Saturday the 21st of December

Since august this year the Icelandic Film School has been running an international department. The school  plans to continue this work next year and enroll new students for january 2017. We were curious to know how students that started with us his fall are getting along with their studies and life in Iceland.

I wish I could come up with an amazing and intriguing story, but the way it happened is I had an interest in Iceland for some time, and I wanted to study film. Whenever one puts “film school” and “Iceland” in a google search, it will take you to IFS.

says Juan Albarran when asked about how he came across moving to Iceland to take up studies at IFS this year.

So I came across it this way, applied, and had an interview through Skype. I eventually got accepted, which made me ecstatic, and here I am now!

he adds. Albarran says he has not really had any film education beforehand.

IFS is my first experience with film education. I’d read a couple of books that cover the basic principles, I worked at Panama’s  International Film Festival (which is where I lived before Iceland), and of course watched as many films as I could to learn more about the art form, but other than that IFS is my first formal education in filmmaking.

And after living here in Iceland for almostt two months – how are things coming along at school?

So far extremely well. The weather can be challenging, of course, the windstorms crazy (you’d think you’ll become a kite at some point), and winter hasn’t even properly started yet, but I’ve enjoyed Iceland more than I ever thought I would. And I had big expectations. The school has been great, we’ve already finished our first minute films and are now working on our thesis project for this semester. Everyone I’ve met has been awesome, there’s a lot of ways to learn, have fun, and do stuff. It’s a great place, the school as well as the country.

He is taken by Icelandic nature and finds it an inspiration.

I would say some of the perks that come to mind studying in Iceland are the country itself, having such beautiful and inspiring landscapes all around you, being a small school with small classes, which means that teachers and students can interact more during class, watching films on fridays at Bio Paradis (local art cinema), having so many projects to work on, great teachers, awesome students, and last but not least: beer nights. Beer nights are great.

Albarran expects to be able to start his career in the film world right after graduation.

 I expect to be able to work with others in a productive and friendly manner, and develop concrete ideas of how to make a film from the first glimpse of creative thought to the moment it is premiered on the big screen. I think the importance of film school is to make sure you enter the industry just with enough experience and knowledge to stand out even just a little bit, to demonstrate through your work that once you step out of school, you know what you’re doing, not just grabbing a camera, or light or sound equipment for the first time. And that you know the theory as well, not just the practical side of filmmaking. It is a place to make mistakes and learn, to screw up and become better each time and receive feedback from other beginner filmmakers and professionals in the industry alike. Film school is a filmmaker’s boot camp. It’s harder to win the battle if you haven’t trained first.

“It’s a great place, the school as well as the country” – Juan Albarran started studies at IFS this fall

The International Association of Film and Television Schools, Cilect has announced prizes in it´s annual film competition.

The competition is held in the main categories fictions, documentaries and animations. The Icelandic Film School however has in recent years only taken part  in it´s  fictions part, this contaning some 110 entries. The IFS contribution this year was the short film), graduation film by and  Ragnar Ingi Magnússon – graduates from Directing/Producing. The film was directed by  also graduating from that same department.

The IFS staff was very happy to learn that the film got into 20th place out of the 110 entries – The IFS entry jumping up 32 seatscong from last years competition.

IFS wishes to congradulate all members of the Heaven and Earth-team on their success and hopes that it will be an encouragement for future students

Everything will be okay – UMDK in Austria

The Wedding Gift (Himinn og jörð) – IFS in Iceland

IFS celebrates a top 20 entry in the annual Cilect competition

Einar Petursson graduated from Directing and Producing at The Film School in 2014. His short film, “Monster”, will be shown at Bio Paradis on Saturday and we got hold of him for a few words


I always wanted to be an actor but then I found myself better behind the camera making stories. It enticed me more. After graduation I worked in the field for 2 years until I wanted an even bigger adventure. I decided to move over to the city of angels for a year to make films. There I met Atli Oskar that came to me with the script for the short “Monster”.
“When a seemingly normal man, meets a young neighbor 
girl, he struggles with keeping his terrible urges 
from creeping to the surface. A critical incident 
gives him an opportunity to prove to himself that he 
is a worthwhile human being but with dire consequences.”Even though the film was shot in Los Angeles, quite a few other Icelanders were a part of it, some of them former students of The Film School ; Gretar Mar Gardarsson, Haukur Karlsson, Atli Thor Einarsson and Arnor Einarsson.

The shortfilm “Monster” will be shown at Bio Paradis on Saturday the 13th of July, free entry and all more than welcome. Here you can enjoy the trailer

“Monster” by Einar Petursson will be shown on Saturday

Eyþór Jóvinsson, a graduate from Screenwriting and Directing from the Film School, has gained a lot of attention recently. He directed the short film „Reflection“ and worked closely with Magnús Ingvar Bjarnason on the script and the film has already won two awards at film festivals. We had a chance to speak with Eyþór and he told us about the first steps that drew him into film making and the process since then

First of all it was the story telling form. I have never been much of a movie „geek“, like so many people, I have mostly just enjoyed all good stories. Some stories are perfect for books, some for paintings, poems or a joke with close friends. But then the cinema is the best form for other stories. And that happened in my case. I heard a great story that I immediately wanted to put in cinema form and from that came my first short film. I got infatuated by how complex the cinema form is and how free you are to express the story in a wide variety of ways

The short film Eyþór made for graduation was the base for a bigger project

My graduation project was a short film, „Arnbjörn“, about a genealogist closing in on his centennial. The short film was made from an idea for a full length film that I am working on now. I decided to use my graduation film as proof of concept for the full length film

Eyþór has had plenty of work since graduation in varied projects

I have been working on many projects, both my own and in cooperation with others. Since spring I have been working on the crime series „Stella Blómkvist“ that have now wrapped. Right now I am writing my first full length screen play, as well as organizing Gamanmyndahátið Flateyrar ( Flateyri Comedy film Festival) that will be held in the beginning of September

And there is no slowing down for the nearest future

The next film project I will be working on is „Lof mér að falla“ that will be directed and written by Baldvin Z. I am also working on my first film with producer Grímar, with scheduled shooting starting in summer 2019. Besides that there are some exciting projects and offers on the table that I am looking at

At this moment it is „Arnbjörn“, but I guess it is always that way, you are working on your dream project in the moment, and then when that is done, a new dream emerges

It will be exciting to follow Eyþór during the coming years and we wish him the best of luck in his en-devours


Eyþór Jóvinsson, Director and Screenwriter, has many exciting projects in the works

First semester students finished a course in script making with Kolbrun Bjornsdottir and started shooting commercial in a commercial course with Baldvin Albertsson. 
2nd semester students continued a course with other 2nd semester students, where each of them will shoot, edit and premiere a short film that demonstrates their personal style. Their teachers are Agusta Margret Johannesdottir (UseLess) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). 4th semester students continued work on their graduation films while others started filming.

1st semester students finished a course in sound editing with the head of Sound, and began a filming course with Bjorn Ofeigsson (Gnarr, Lazy Town). 
2nd semester students continued a course with other 2nd semester students, where each of them will shoot, edit and premiere a short film that demonstrates their personal style. Their teachers are Agusta Margret Johannesdottir (UseLess) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). 
3rd semester students continued an editing course with the head of Editing, andwhere they will each edit a documentary they filmed earlier in the semester. 
4th semester students continued work on their graduation films while others started filming.

2nd semester students continued a course with other 2nd semester students, where each of them will shoot, edit and premiere a short film that demonstrates their personal style. Their teachers are Agusta Margret Johannesdottir (UseLess) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). 4th semester students began their SAM-week, where they will get a chance to work with other students on their projects.

1st semester students of Acting did a course in Acting Technique with Runar Gudbrandsson (Svartur a Leik), Acting and movement with and finished a course in vocal training with with their first introduction. 
2nd semester students continued a course with other 2nd semester students, where each of them will shoot, edit and premiere a short film that demonstrates their personal style. Their teachers are Agusta Margret Johannesdottir (UseLess) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). 
3rd semester students sat a course in Acting Technique with Hannes Oli Agustsson (Metalhead) and Acting history with Runar Gudbrandsson. 
4th semester students finished a course in the making of a dance video under the guidance of Kolbrun Anna Bjornsdottir (Svartir Englar) and Rut Hermannsdottir and a course in the making of a show reel, and training for auditions .

All departments then finished the week in Bio Paradis with a course in Film History.

Graduation project on full swing and dancing through the week

A new student committee has taken over this semester and here are Maria Araceli, Birta Karadottir, Sigurgeir Jonsson, Elin Palsdóttir, Ingibjorg Jenny Johannesdottir, Halfdan Hordur Palsson, Hulda Kristin, Vigfus Olafsson og Maria Sigridur Halldorsdottir, but missing in the picture is Thorsteinn Sturla. We look forward to the semester with these good people.

New students committee at The Icelandic Films School

Search results