We had an opportunity to chat with Guðný Rós Þórhallsdóttir, a graduate from the Directing and producing department at The Film School., but her picture “Vitamin C” has gotten a lot of attention and been shown in a variety of film festivals.

Some people are simply destined to end up in film making and it seems to have been written in the stars for Guðný

I was very young when I became obsessed by films. I was a regular at the VHS rental of Kiddi Vídjófluga in Egilsstaðir, both because he had such a great selection of films, but also cats. I love cats. We did not, for along time, own a VCR, so we rented it with the tapes from Kiddi.Then when we got a VCR at home I became compelled to record all the films that were being shown on Channel One to tape. On Friday evening it was the Disney films and then I believed I was doing my mother a great favor by recording the boring chick flicks being shown on Sunday evenings. I had my collection very organized, I marked each tape by number and recorded in my pink VHS book what each tape contained. Sometimes I missed the beginning of a film (which was insufferable and I could be moody for days when that happened) and then the films title was not included. If that happened I would watch the film and make up a title that I thought suited. For instance I started too late when I recorded the film “The Royal Tenebaums” Twelve year old Guðný thought the the title “Wearisome Twins” somehow fit that picture. I was addicted to recording films and organizing them, marking everything and then going over the collection again. I even marked myself sick at school more than once to work on the collection. My parents are now stuck with about 500 VHS tapes, each tape containing 2-3 films.
When I was 14 years old I began to experiment with photography, but then I did not own a camera that recorded video, so I started making stop motion videos, my first introduction to film making. Later I got a Canon EOS 60d with video capability and then I started in a more traditional video making.But it was not until 2014 that I went to LungA school that I went into video workshop with Hrund Atladóttir that I discovered that I could simply study this and start working in film making

Guðný is a graduate from the Directing and producing department of The Film School

The studies went very well and I utilized it to its maximum and on the whole I am very happy with my time there. I enveloped myself into the material and met wonderful people that I care a great deal about and I think that is the best quality of the school the teachers and students you get to know. The studies are very “hands on” that suited me well, although of course there are thing that can be improved and fixed about the school. My graduation film, “The day that the beans ran out” with Atli Rafn Sigurðsson as the lead role, won the “Bjarkinn” award for best graduation film as well as an award for best film in the producing department. That film is about a man who lives a fine life after zombies take over. Bit when his bean cans start to disappear he starts to suspect that there is something wicked is going on

Her film “Vitamin C” has gone far and gotten positive attention

“Vitamin C” is a childhood memory. Based on true events “if you will”. When I was younger I, along with a friend, was adamant on having tombolas to support various charities but then just using the profits to buy Vitamin C fizz tablets. We were never caught however, so “Vitamin C” is me reflecting on what if we had been caught. The film was my third semester project at The Film School

The road of production for each film is unique and comes with different challenges

Well, the script was not ready until a day before shooting started. I had quite some problems with the script as well as with the actors. But about a week before shooting I had nothing, not a script, no actors and no locations. I first got Anja Sæberg for the role of one of the girls and then shortly after that I was able to trick my niece, Eva Sóllilja Einarsdóttir for the other role. I however changed the script after I spoke to their parents and after the first rehearsal I was too afraid to send them home with the script. I was afraid that their parents would freak out and revoke their permission. I mean, what parent allows its child to portray a psychotic murderer? I know of a few now.
I struggled with immense self doubt during this period. I had thought of Guðrún Ásmundsdóttir for the role of the old lady for a long time, but I just could not pick up the phone. I often tried and meant to call. I even once called but got the wrong number. I was petrified that she would be insulted that I had thought of her for this role, that she would be insulted that I had thought of her for this role, that she would think this was foolishness and that I was crazy. Two days before shooting started my then boyfriend, Ari Birgir (co-producer and set designer for the film), called her for me. It came to light that she enjoyed the script and looked forward to playing a villain. I had a wonderful conversation with her by phone where we discussed her character. She loved the idea that this woman was a chain smoker throughout the film. I then asked her if she was alright with that, whether she smoked or had smoked before. She told me she had never touched a cigarette in her live. I asked if I should change that but she was adamant that her character NEEDED to smoke. She smoked almost a whole package of Winston White during that day of shooting.
We were shooting in November but the whole film is shot during the day, so we had problems with daylight – we only had 5 to 6 hour days of shooting and only three days to shoot. Looking back everything went amazingly well, considering nothing was in place a week before shooting started. I had incredible people with me and I am endlessly grateful to them for having been with me through this

The film has already been shown at film festivals and is still going strong

“Vitamin C” was premiered at Shortfish at the Stockfish Film Festival in February. There we won the best film awards and received a one million krona voucher for equipment purchase from Kukl that gave way for the making of the “Bean film”. It also won second prize at the Flateyri Comedy Film Festival and received the title “Iceland’s almost funniest film”.“Vitamin C” will be shown three times at The Leeds International Film Festival, on Novemb er 2nd and twice on November 12th, competing with 8 other short films for the Audience Awards. It will also be shown at The Hawaii International Film Festival on November 8th in the group “Bad habits die hard”, but “Vitamin C” is the only Icelandic film at HIFF this year. In December it will be shown at a festival in Poland that I do not have information about right now

Guðný owns the company Andvari, with Birta Rán

Andvari was created at the end of the year 2015, a co-operation between me and Birta Rán Björgvinsdóttir, film maker, photographer and bunny enthusiast. The first project we did together was a video to the poetry and “slam happening” , “Dear Girls”. We have been focused on music videos and short film making, have already made two music videos and two short films together, but we have our sights on making a full length feature sometime in the close future

And how does the future look for Guðný?

I am writing and directing a graduation film for Andrea Ýr in the Acting department, we will shoot at the end of November and I can utilize the experience I gained through making “Vitamin C”, but I am not writing a film that all happens during the daytime, haha. Besides that Birta and I are preparing a shoot for a music video and developing a television show with SKOT productions and Glassriver, that I unfortunately can ot go into details on right now

We wish Guðný the best of luck and will follow this film maker in the future

Yesterday IFS got a visit from a group of Nordic film students participating in a workshop at the school.

Most of the visitors are studying in Finland, Denmark, Poland, Estonia and Sweden. The visitors from abroad are here to take part in the programme Young Nordic Talents as a part of this year´s film festival in Reykjavík, RIFF.

This is a kind ofa workshop with the group of visitors getting acquainted with the Icelandic film industry and taking part in some projects together. It has been a most impressive and inspiring experience to have this group of creative young filmmakers from northern part Europe with us,

IFS dean Hilmar Oddsson had to say about the visit yesterday.

Young Nordic Talents visit IFS as a part of RIFF

First semester students in Directing/Producing sat a course in the making of music videos under the direction of Erlendur Sveinsson (Kanari), have finished shooting and will complete their videos by the middle of next week. Third semester students sat a course with other third semester students in the school in remaking a scene, where they will learn story boarding and remake a scene from a film. Guiding them were Agusta Margret Johannsdottir (Useless), storyboard master Sigurdur Valur and the director Vidar Vikingsson (Draugasaga).

First semester students of Creative Technology did their first course in cinematography under the guidance of Stefan Loftsson (Brotid) and Tomas Orn Tomasson (Arctic, Lazy Town). Students in their second semester began a course in sound editing with Kjartan Kjartansson (Sodoma Reykjavik). Third semester did a course in remaking a scene with other third semester students. 


In Screen writing/Directing, first semester students finished a course in the basic rules of script writing under the direction of Otto Geir Borg (I remember you, Astropia), that then began a course with them in script writing for television. Third semester students did a course in remaking a scene with other third semester students in the school. Fourth semester students sat a course in producing where they will, among other projects, finish preparing their graduation film under the guiding hand of Hlin Johannesdottir (Svanurinn, Bokeh) and continued the progress of their film in a course in directing with Gunnar B. Gudmundsson (Astropia, Gauragangur). 


Acting first year students completed a course in voice technique with Thorey Sigthorsdottir (Agnes, Kaldaljos) with an impressive show, sat a course in acting technique with Runar Gudbrandsson (Svartur a leik, XL) and began a course in vocal technique and singing with Thorey Erna Clausen (Loi). Second semester students began a course in acting technique and interpretation with Runar Gudbrandsson (Svartur a leik, XL) as well as a continuing course in voice technique with Thorey Sigthorsdottir (Agnes, Kaldaljos). They also finished their short films, showing their personal style, with a premiere. Guiding them were Agusta Margret Johannsdottir (Useless) and Linda Stefansdottir (The Fifth Estate). Third semester joined others in a course in remaking a scene, as well as finishing a course in acting history with Runar Gudbrandsson (Svartur a leik, XL).


Kinema, the schools student company offered a Script Workshop and a Karaoke night on Tuesday and then a Games Night on Thursday.

The week ended, as is tradition, with the whole school getting together at Bio Paradis for their lesson in film history. 



Students from all departments remade scenes from films this week

Without a doubt one of the most entertaining weeks of the school year has begun, where we get to enjoy the projects our students have been working on.

Here below is information about each event and a link to them on Facebook. We hope to see you there

1pm LOH 206 – Documentaries – 2nd term Screen Writing and Directing

2pm KVM 204/KLM 204 – 2nd term Creative Technology

https://www.facebook.com/events/430451894181306/

https://www.facebook.com/events/743890552674396/


3:45pm LOH 306 – Shortmovies 3rd term, D3 Screen Writing and Directing

https://www.facebook.com/events/292396728313713/

8pm   Graduation films – Creative Technology / Screen Writing and Directing   
https://www.facebook.com/events/365692777400902/ 



2:30pm HEM 106 – Documentaries Directing and Producing 4th term

https://www.facebook.com/events/424893998291727/

https://www.facebook.com/events/324826498192986/


Graduation week at The Film School has begun

Recently we reported about Þórður Pálsson’s invitation to visit this year’s Palm Springs ShortFest. Now we are happy to announce that his film Brothers, has won a Special mention in its category; Best Live Action Short over 15 minutes.

Pálsson is busy these days preparing his pitching for Nordic Talents 2015. This opportunity he also owes to his successful film Brothers, a graduation film from The National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.

Pálsson was chosen from a group of two hundred applicants, which was narrowed down to only fifteen. He was even invited to pitch two different productions, a mini-series and a full feature film.

The IFS congratulates Þórður Pálsson and sends him its best wishes for his upcoming projects.

Special mention to Pálsson’s Brothers at Palm Springs Short Fest

Haraldur Hrafn Thorlacious is a former student at The Icelandic Film School and producer for the show “Hversdagsreglur” (Every Day Rules), now being shown on Channel 2. We got to pry a bit about Haraldur.

To celebrate the 25th year of The Icelandic Film School we will be showing 25 short films chosen from our graduates of the past years. This time we are showing “Thank you for me” from the spring semester of 2011

The short film “Thank you for me” was a joint graduation project from Anna Hafthorsdottir and Kristin Lea Sigridardottir that graduated from Acting at The Icelandic Film School in the spring of 2011

Speaking with Anna, one of the leads in the film, she said

I only have warm memories from The Film School and made good friends there and got connections into the industry. Since I graduated in 2011 I have been the main character in 2 full length films, “Webcam” and “Snow and Salome”, I had a supporting role in “Hopestreet”, and a supporting role in a film called “Redux” that will be released next year. I played Tota in the comedy show “In the gym with Tinna and Tota”, acted in the educational film “Get a yes” that Pall Oskar directed, as well as being in a number of short films and advertisements. I am currently doing a masters degree in creative writing at the University of Iceland

It is obvious that we are drawing ever closer to graduation for our last year students, many of whom are engulfed by their finishing touches on their graduation films.

We got a small “taste” of one film, “Forgive”, that Ingunn Mía, a student in Acting, is finishing. Script author and director is Lovísa Lára Halldórsdóttir, a former student at The Film School, and she wrote the script from Ingunn Mia´s idea.




We have finalized the hiring of two more Program Directors to join the Acting Department along with Þórey Sigurþórsdóttir, whom we have already introduced in a previous post.
We have the pleasure to inform that Rúnar Guðbrandsson will be Program Director of the Acting program and Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir will be Program Director of the Acting and motion program.

Supervising the Program Directors will be Studies Director Hrafnkell Stefánsson, who was department dean of Screen Writing and Directing from 2011 to 2017. He will be in charge of schedules and coordinating the Program Directors, syllabuses and supervising the inner web.

Other staff members will of course be in place. Sigurður Kristján Jensson is the Technical Supervisor, the head of the schools equipment rental and maintenance and upgrades. Stefán Loftsson, works with the equipment rental and is in charge of daily operations. Sigrún Gylfadóttir, Production and project manager, is in charge of promotions and is the contact for graduated students to film festivals and production companies. Ágústa Margrét Jóhannsdóttir is head of the core and plans the teachings of the core subjects for students in all departments. Ólöf Ása Böðvarsdóttir, executive secretary and treasurer, is in charge of general office work, accounting and student registration. Henrik Knudsen, custodian, is in charge of maintaining the schools facilities. And last but not least, Inga Rut Sigurðardóttir, student counselor and academic manager that supervises student evaluation, student counselling and all round support to the schools students.

We introduce more Program Directors that will be joining the team this fall

The first day of the new school year was set yesterday, where our students were welcomed.

The inauguration was split in two sections, new and then returning students, but a total of 44 new students have begun their studies and we of course will be looking forward to following their progress.

A result of the current worldwide situation, a great emphasis was put on following the social distancing and conduct rules that are in effect and our students will be following them gladly.

Teachings have already begun in our new housing and it is safe to say that both staff members and students are ecstatic over the changed and improved areas which will be a great asset in the coming years.

1st semester students continued their first course, TAEK 107, where all the departments of the school learn the basics of film making and at the end produce a minute long short film.

2nd semester students of Directing and Producing took a course in scheduling for television with the 3rd semester of Acting, under the guidance of Baldvin Albertsson, as well as taking art history with Lee Lorenzo Lynch. They also began a course in Directing with with the students of Script writing and Directing. 4th semester students did a course in documentary making with and a script course with with the 4th semester of Script writing and Directing, where they will be working towards a script for their graduation project.


2nd semester students of Creative Technology sat a course in cinematography with Bjorn Ofeigsson (Gnarr, Lazy Town) where they will make a short film without words. 3rd semester students took a course in script writing with Hrafnkell Stefansson (Kurteist Folk, Borgriki) and a course in film effects with 4th semester students took a production course with the 4th semester og Script writing and Directing under the guidance of Arnar Benjamins (A Reykjavik Porno, Þorsti) and began preparing their graduation projects with their guide On top of that the 4th semester sat a course in founding production companies and applications, as well as a class in current film history.

2nd semester students of Script writing and Directing sat a course in script writing for television, where they will write a pilot for their own show under the direction of Dogg Mosesdottir (Höfundur Óþekktur, Me & Bobby Fischer), art history with and began a course in Directiong with Borkur Gunnarsson (Thetta Reddast) along with students of Directing and Producing. 4th semester students sat a course in producing with and a course in rewriting a full length script with Hrafnkell Stefansson (Kurteist Folk, Borgriki), as well as a course in founding production companies and applications, as well as a class in current film history.

2nd semester students of Acting did a course in acting technique with and a course in stage battles along with the 3rd semester, guided by Arna Magnea Danks (Trapped, Stella Blomkvist). 3rd semester students also took a course in scheduling for television with the 2nd semester of Directing and Producing headed by Baldvin Albertsson. 4th semester sat a course in script writing with , a refresher course in vocal work with and then a course in the making of a dance video with Kolbrun Anna Bjornsdottir (Svartir Englar) and On top of that the 4th semester sat a course in founding production companies and applications, as well as a class in current film history.

Our student organisation, Kinema, began the year at full force with a gaming night, a writers room, where students help each other with script writing and then had a hot dog party at the cafeteria at lunch on Friday.  

A theatre- group that mostly consists of IFS graduates opened a production of the Vagina Monologues in Gamla bíó in Reykjavík Monday night.
The director, Guðrún Helga Sváfnisdóttir graduated from Directing/Producing in 2013 and four of five actresses finished their training as graduated actors from Icelandic Film School in the years 2011-2013:  Jóhanna Lind Þrastardóttir, Monika Ewa Orlowska, Sigga Björk Sigurðardóttir and Vanessa Andrea Terrazas.
Leading figures from IFS went to  the show. They say they were touched by the performances and very proud of the whole show. The Vagina Monologues in Gamla bíó are performed in support of Stígamót, facilities in Reykjavík to help victims of sexual violence.

A successful Vagina Monologues performance with a majority of IFS graduates

The Icelandic film Rams took this year´s Cannes Film festival by storm and won it´s Un Certain Regard prize. This was a pleasant surprise for the Icelandic Film School having as many as twelve members of its graduates among those working on the film.

The Icelandic Film School congratulates Þorsteinn Gunnar Bjarnason, Anna Sæunn Ólafsdóttir, Vigfús Gunnarsson, Anton Smári Gunnarsson, Guðjón Hrafn Guðmundsson, Margrét Vala Guðmundsdóttir, Jón Þór Jónsson, Karl Pálsson, Alexander Erlendsson, Jón Gauti Jónsson, Helga Björg Gylfadóttir and Valgerður Sigurðardóttir on this great success and, of course Grímur Hákonarson, Rams writer/director as well as other Icelandic filmmakers working on this highy successful Icelandic production.

Many of our students worked on “Rams” – Cannes Un Certain Regard WINNER

Today, on the 23rd of May, 30 students graduated from the Icelandic Film School at the graduation ceremony in Iceland’s most beloved cinema, Bíó Paradís. This is the 2nd winter that the Icelandic Film School operates from Grensásvegur 1. Students graduated from all departments; Directing/Producing, Creative Technology, Screenwriting/Directing and Acting.

At today’s ceremony the following awards were given.

Ólafur Einar Ólafarson received an award for best picture. Haraldur Bjarni Óskarsson received an award for best picture in department 1, Directing/Producing. For the best picture in department 4, Acting, Sigmar Ingi Sigurgeirsson received an award and Haukur Karlsson received an award for the best picture of department 2, Creative Technology. Kolbrún Völkudóttir received an award for outstanding performance in her studies.

We congratulate all of our graduate students on this spring semester, 2015.

Students of the Icelandic Film School please note, the course directory has been published online, info.kvikmyndaskoli.is , where you can study it. More information on the exciting coming semester will be published soon !

The course directory for fall 2017 has been published !

Hlín Jóhannesdóttir, Head of Directing/Producing is co-producing with Birgitta Björnsdóttir through their company Vintage Pictures the American film Bokeh.

The film is expected to premiere end of December or at the beginning of next year. A few students from The Icelandic Film School were asked to take part in the production of Bokeh, a.o. Arnar Benjamín Kristjánsson as location manager.

“We started shooting Bokeh in June 2014. This is the first film of partnering team of directors , Geoffrey Orthwein and Andrew Sullivan. We also have the excellent Maika Monroe and Matt O´Leary playing to leading roles. Both of them have been working on promising projects in their home-country and ne can expect a lot from these talents in the future,”

Says Hlin, describing the film as a science fiction.

“The story is about a young couple travelling in Iceland. Suddenly it seems they are the only people around; in the whole country – even the whole world for that. The story shows how they come to terms with their lives alone, the uncertainty in an environment they barely know.”

After working on the film Land Ho with American producers Vintage Pictures was recommended to the producers planning to shoot Bokeh in Iceland.

“It has been the most pleasant film to work on and it is fair to say we can be grateful for our good solid team working on the set. We´ve had positive response with those working with us, an all Icelandic team . Most of them are IFS graduates to tell the truth.”

“In that way we have always tried to profit from our liaisons to IFS and kept our eyes on those seeking for experience. One of our best contacts is Arnar Benjamín Kristjánsson who graduated from Directing/producing in 2012. With his friends he has founded the firm Fenrir Films.”

We will be following the opening of Bokeh and report to you in due time.

Hlín Jóhannesdóttir about Bokeh coming out soon

Students yearly Gala is just around the corner !

Search results

Graduation fall semester 2017

Guðný Rós and Beans and Vitamin

Young Nordic Talents visit IFS as a part of RIFF

Students from all departments remade scenes from films this week

Graduation week at The Film School has begun

Special mention to Pálsson’s Brothers at Palm Springs Short Fest

Haraldur and The every day Rules

25 years of films

Graduation time is almost upon us

We introduce more Program Directors that will be joining the team this fall

A new school year has begun

A great beginning to the year

A successful Vagina Monologues performance with a majority of IFS graduates

Many of our students worked on “Rams” – Cannes Un Certain Regard WINNER

IFS graduation: Spring 2015

The course directory for fall 2017 has been published !

Hlín Jóhannesdóttir about Bokeh coming out soon

Students yearly Gala is just around the corner !

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