RIFF INDUSTRY DAYS
HRÖNN MARINÓSDÓTTIR FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
HRÖNN Marinósdóttir is the Director of the Reykjavík International Film Festival, which she has led since its inception, shaping it into one of Iceland’s most prominent cultural events. Before establishing RIFF, she worked as a journalist in Iceland and as a news correspondent in Berlin. A graduate in Political Science, she frequently lectures on cinema and film culture, and remains a driving force in promoting international exchange and dialogue through film in Iceland.
SAGA ÍSOLD EYSTEINSDÓTTIR
INDUSTRY DAYS COORDINATOR
MAJA ANITA JANKOWSKA
INDUSTRY DAYS COORDINATOR
FRÉDÉRIC BOYER
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Frédéric Boyer is a festival programmer, artistic director, and champion of global cinema. He leads RIFF’s programming while also serving as Artistic Director of the Tribeca Film Festival and Les Arcs European Film Festival. Formerly at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Boyer has nurtured filmmakers from Europe, the US, the UK, Australia, and Scandinavia. His love of cinema began at the French Cinémathèque and was shaped by French New Wave masterclasses at the Sorbonne. He also founded Videosphere, Europe’s largest arthouse video store, cementing his reputation as a passionate advocate for daring, original voices in film.
INDUSTRY DAYS
CONTENT
WELCOME
RIFF TALKS
YOUNG NORDIC VOICES THINK TANK
FRAMING FILM: HOW CRITICS AND PRGRAMMERS SHAPE CINEMA CULTURE
CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE NORDICS: OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Welcome to the Reykjavik International Film Festival!
We are delighted to welcome you to RIFF 2025 — whether you are local or international, a returning friend or a first-timer, whether you work in front of or behind the camera, in documentaries or fiction. Each year, RIFF brings together professionals from across the globe and all branches of the film industry, and we are proud to present to you this year’s Industry Program.
The Industry Program runs from 30 September to 4 October, while masterclasses, impact talks, and selected screenings take place throughout the entire festival. Designed as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, it connects Icelandic filmmakers with international peers, creating space to exchange ideas, share works-inprogress, and open new opportunities for cooperation. RIFF has long aimed to be the meeting place for the film industry in Iceland, offering not only a showcase for films but also a hub for conversations that push the field forward.
This year, we are especially proud to host Switzerland as our Country in Focus, with more than a dozen Swiss films presented across the festival, as well as Swiss producers and filmmakers joining our Industry Days to take part in panels and events. At the same time, we mark the 50th anniversary of Iceland’s historic Women’s Day Off of 1975, a landmark moment in the country’s fight for equality. This anniversary inspires a renewed focus on representation, equity, and artistic freedom, with special programming dedicated to women in film.
WOMEN IN FILM: BREAKING BARRIERS & REWRITING THE NARRATIVE
HONORARY MASTERCLASSES
A DIFFERENT TOMORROW IMPACT TALKS
WORK IN PROGRESS
NETWORKING EVENTS & INDUSTRY ACCREDITATIONS
The program brings together a rich mix of panels, masterclasses, talks, and networking opportunities. Highlights include timely discussions on co-production, programming, and representation; the ever-inspiring RIFF Talks; Impact Talks that deepen conversations sparked by socially urgent films; masterclasses with industry icons and bold auteurs; and the second edition of the Young Nordic Voices – Think Tank, offering young creatives a seat at the table. We are also excited to present this year’s Nordic and Swiss Works-in-Progress showcase, followed by one-to-one meetings that connect projects with potential partners.
Inside this booklet you will find the full Industry Days program, with details about each event. A schedule is included on the back cover, and dates, times, and locations are also listed on each event page. For the wider festival lineup — including our Icelandic and international film selection and the full Swiss focus — please see the main RIFF brochure.
Please keep in mind that last-minute changes are part of the business, so we encourage you to check www.riff.is for the latest updates.
RIFF extends sincere thanks to The Nordic House and its staff for hosting our programme, with particular gratitude to Sindri Leifsson and Kristmundur Elías Baldvinsson for their invaluable support, and to Plantan Bistró for their generous collaboration in keeping our guests well cared for throughout the festival.
PROGRAM
RIFF TALKS
1.10. 17.00
HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 3
Moderator: NÍELS
THIBAUD GIRERD
Inspired by the format of TED Talks, this series features short presentations by emerging filmmakers and creative professionals. Each talk brings a personal take on the present and future of cinema. RIFF TALKS offer insight and inspiration for students, early-career artists, and experienced guests alike.
SPEAKERS:
ARNA MAGNEA DANKS ICELAND
Arna Magnea Danks is an actress, fight director, poet, activist, and mother of three. Trained at East 15 Acting School in London and certified in stage combat by the British Academy of Dramatic Combat, she has appeared in Sense8, Noah, Game of Thrones, Dead Snow 2, and the award-winning Odd Fish / Ljósvíkingar, where her dual lead role was hailed as “writing Icelandic history” and earned her Best Lead Performance at the Kashish Film Festival.
KAHINA BEN AMAR FRANCE
Kahina Ben Amar is a graduate of La Résidence de la Fémis and the director of several acclaimed short films. She has led film education workshops, including the CNC’s Enfants des Lumières program, and is currently developing her first feature, initiated at the France-Korea Film Academy. In 2025, her short film On the Sidelines is nominated for the Solveig Anspach Award at RIFF.
UNA LORENZEN ICELAND
Una Lorenzen is a director, artist, and producer with a focus on animation. Her short Chasing Birds (2022) won multiple awards, including the Oscar-qualifying Chris Frayne Award at Ann Arbor and Best Short Film at RIFF. She was nominated by Cinema Eye Honors for her animation direction in the Sundance and Hot Docs–screened Rebel Hearts, and co-directed the Netflix documentary Yarn (2016), which won the Audience Award at Nordisk Panorama. Educated in graphic design and experimental animation, she has lived and worked internationally and is now based in Hafnarfjörður, collaborating with filmmakers worldwide.
INDUSTRY DAYS
KOLBEINN RASTRICK ICELAND
Kolbeinn Rastrick holds an MA in Film Studies from the University of Iceland and is a regular film critic on Rás 1’s culture show Lestin. Over the years, he has worn many different festival hats, and this year he returns to RIFF as Venue Manager at Háskólabíó, overseeing the smooth running of screenings. During RIFF TALKS, he will also be the voice of the film critic, and if you catch him in the lobby, he might slip you a tip or two about the festival’s program.
ALDÍS AMAH HAMILTON ICELAND
Aldís Amah Hamilton is a scriptwriter and actress working across theatre, film, TV, and, more recently, motion capture for video games including Hellblade II and Echoes of the End. She has been nominated for Iceland’s Edda Awards for her work on Black Sands and received a BAFTA Games nomination for Hellblade II Passionate about animal and human rights, she often uses her platform to raise awareness and spark conversation.
COLM O'HERLIHY IRELAND/ICELAND
Colm O’Herlihy is co-founder of INNI, a Reykjavik-based music hub with nine recording studios. Mentored by Morrissey early in his career, he has toured with Joan Shelley and Grant Hart and launched INNI in 2019 with composer Atli Örvarsson. INNI has worked on projects for Apple, HBO, Netflix, and Disney, while Colm also supervises music for films including Wolka, Duino, and the upcoming Old Guy, starring Christoph Waltz and Lucy Liu.
PROGRAM
YOUNG NORDIC VOICES THINK TANK
2.10. 9.00–12.00
THE NORDIC HOUSE, CONFERENCE ROOM CLOSED EVENT
Launched in 2024, Young Nordic Voices – Think Tank gives emerging Nordic creatives a platform to share their experiences, voice their hopes, and explore the challenges of filmmaking today. Conversations in the inaugural edition ranged from sustainability and AI to access and inclusion, creating a space for young professionals to reflect on the present and imagine the future of cinema.
In 2025, the program returns in a locally focused format, inviting 12–15 Iceland-based participants (ages 18–30) to a one-day session at the Nordic House. The Think Tank is not a lecture or panel it is a collaborative, informal space where participants can speak openly, ask questions, and connect with peers and mentors.
The session begins with an open roundtable on “The Invisible Middle: Not a Student, Not a Pro — Now What?”. Participants explore the realities of being in this in-between stage — whether as students entering the field, young professionals just starting out, or film lovers unsure how to
take the next step. The discussion surfaces the challenges of breaking in, the lack of clear pathways or support, and the questions that often go unspoken, offering a chance to reflect on what’s missing and share ideas for how the Icelandic film community can better support its next generation. In the second part of the session, invited mentors from the Nordic and international film industry join for participatory conversations to offer guidance, share insights from their own journeys, and respond to questions and ideas.
We believe that inclusion and visibility are essential for the future of film, and that young voices deserve to be heard. Participants also gain access to RIFF Industry Days panels, masterclasses, and screenings, expanding their networks and perspectives. The outcomes of the session are captured in a Think Tank Report, a collective snapshot of emerging voices, which is shared through RIFF’s platforms.
MODERATORS:
PIPALUK K. JØRGENSEN Director, Producer, GREENLAND
Pipaluk K. Jørgensen broke new ground as the first Greenlandic woman to direct a feature film with Anori. She is also a co-director of the Oscar-nominated short Ivalu and founder of Nuuk International Film Festival, championing Arctic and Indigenous cinema. As a filmmaker, producer, and festival director, Pipaluk brings a wealth of experience that young creatives can learn from — from storytelling and production to navigating international film circuits and creating platforms for underrepresented voices.
INDUSTRY DAYS
ARNAR MÁR VIGNISSON
Director, Writer, Teacher, ICELAND
Arnar Már Vignisson is a director, writer, and teacher with wide-ranging experience across the Icelandic film and television industry. He has written and directed numerous short films and worked as a script supervisor on many projects. For the past five years, he has taught screenwriting at the Icelandic Film School, where he has guided the next generation of Icelandic storytellers. As moderator of the Think Tank, Arnar brings not only his professional expertise but also a strong commitment to nurturing young talent and creating spaces for meaningful exchange.
MENTORS:
ERLENDUR SVEINSSON
Director, ICELAND
Erlendur Sveinsson is an award-winning Icelandic filmmaker and Fulbright scholar whose short films have screened at over 100 festivals worldwide. A Berlinale Talents and Nordic Talents alumnus, he is also known for his acclaimed music videos with artists such as Laufey and Ásgeir. Erlendur’s diverse portfolio and international experience provide a rich source of guidance for young creatives navigating both artistic expression and professional growth.
FRANCISCO DIAS
Director, Programmer, PORTUGAL
Francisco Dias is a filmmaker and programmer at Curtas Vila do Conde, where he curates the international competition and industry program. With experience in international sales and distribution at Luxbox, he bridges filmmaking, programming, and global markets. Francisco’s multifaceted career makes him an ideal mentor for emerging professionals, offering insight into the creative, curatorial, and business sides of the industry.
VALENTINA BRONZINI
Senior Festivals Manager, ITALY/GERMANY
Valentina Bronzini is the Senior Festivals Manager at The Match Factory, one of the world’s leading international sales companies. She has guided the festival journeys of acclaimed films such as La Chimera by Alice Rohrwacher, Drive My Car by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Ema by Pablo Larraín, and Memoria by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (screening at RIFF!). With deep expertise in festival strategy, sales, and distribution, Valentina brings invaluable insight into how films travel the world — knowledge that will inspire and support participants exploring the many possible paths into the film industry.
PANELS FRAMING FILM: HOW CRITICS AND PROGRAMMERS SHAPE CINEMA CULTURE
2.10. 13.30
THE NORDIC HOUSE
Film festivals don’t just showcase films — they decide which stories reach audiences and how those stories are understood. Through programming choices, curatorial framing, and criticism, programmers and critics have enormous influence on cinema culture.
Moderated by RIFF’s Program Director Frédéric Boyer, this panel brings together leading voices from Europe and the U.S. to reflect on their work and offer a rare glimpse into the decisions behind festival selections. What do programmers look for? How do festivals decide which films get shown? How are films contextualized, reviewed, and received? From selection criteria to public reception, the panelists will explore the power — and responsibility — of shaping cinema culture today.
MODERATOR:
FRÉDÉRIC BOYER
FRANCE/USA
Frédéric Boyer is a festival programmer, artistic director, and champion of global cinema. He leads RIFF’s programming while also serving as Artistic Director of the Tribeca Film Festival and Les Arcs European Film Festival. Formerly at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Boyer has nurtured filmmakers from Europe, the US, the UK, Australia, and Scandinavia. His love of cinema began at the French Cinémathèque and was shaped by French New Wave masterclasses at the Sorbonne. He also founded Videosphere, Europe’s largest arthouse video store, cementing his reputation as a passionate advocate for daring, original voices in film.
INDUSTRY DAYS
PANELISTS:
ALISSA SIMON USA
Currently Chief Programmer for the Palm Springs Film Festival, Alissa is a film curator and critic with more than 25 years of experience. In 1999, she was named "Chicagoan of the Year" for her innovative programming at Chicago’s Film Center. A member of FIPRESCI, she has served on numerous international festival juries and is a freelance writer for the American trade paper Variety.
DANIEL HADENIUS-EBNER AUSTRIA
Daniel Hadenius-Ebner is an Austrian culture manager and curator with over 20 years of experience shaping the short film landscape. As co-founder and longtime director of VIENNA SHORTS, he champions sustainable cultural development and European collaboration through projects like Eleven Minutes, TALKING SHORTS, and the streaming platform THIS IS SHORT.
FRANCISCO DIAS PORTUGAL
Francisco Dias is a Portuguese filmmaker and programmer at Curtas Vila do Conde, where he oversees the industry program and serves on the international competition selection committee. He has also worked in international sales and distribution at Luxbox in Paris, and has directed several short films.
LISA HOEN NORWAY
Lisa Hoen is the Festival and Program Director of Tromsø International Film Festival and Tromsø Silent Film Days, with over a decade of experience in media, communications, and culture. She studied media and philosophy, and began her career launching a culture and lifestyle magazine in Tromsø.
PROGRAM
CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE NORDICS: OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
2.10. 15.30
THE NORDIC HOUSE
Co-production has long been essential to Nordic filmmaking, enabling ambitious projects to thrive across small markets. At the same time, cross-border collaboration brings its own challenges: multiple funding systems, legal frameworks, and cultural differences.
This panel gathers producers and film fund representatives from Iceland, Greenland, Sweden, France and Switzerland to share candid insights into the realities of co-production today. Drawing on both successful and not-so-successful experiences, the panelists will offer tips, strategies, and cautionary tales. From financing models and artistic collaboration to bridging local practices, the session is designed for filmmakers and producers looking for hands-on advice to build sustainable, creative partnerships in the Nordic region and beyond.
MODERATOR:
HRAFNKELL STEFANSSON ICELAND
Hrafnkell Stefánsson is an accomplished screenwriter and tutor. Alongside his work as a writer, developing several feature projects and consulting, he is the former Head of Studies at the Icelandic Film School. He is most known for the films Borgríki, Blóð Hraustra Manna and Polite People for which he was nominated to the Icelandic Film Award for best screenplay.
INDUSTRY DAYS
PANELISTS:
ALINE SCHMID SWITZERLAND
Aline Schmid is a producer celebrated for championing daring, formally inventive films with global reach. Through her Geneva-based company Beauvoir Films, she has produced acclaimed titles such as The Girl and the Spider (Berlinale), Rivière (Locarno), The Landscape and the Fury (Visions du Réel, Doc Alliance Award), and My Swiss Army (Solothurn Audience Award). An alum of Producer on the Move and Emerging Producers, she is a member of ACE Producers and an active mentor in leading European training programs.
EMILE HERTLING PÉRONARD GREENLAND
Emile Hertling Péronard is an award-winning and Oscar-nominated Greenlandic film producer operating out of Nuuk and Copenhagen. A 2023 Cannes Producer on the Move, his films have screened at Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Sundance and more. He is the Co-founder of Ánorâk Film, Chair of Arctic Indigenous Film Fund, a Co-Director at ARTEF - the Anti-Racism Taskforce for European Film, the Executive Director of Nuuk International Film Festival, and since 2024 he’s been part of EAVE’s Think Tank on Equitable Co-Productions on a global scale.
EMIL WIKLUND SWEDEN
Emil Wiklund is the Managing Director of Unlimited Stories, one of Sweden’s most successful production companies, with five of the country’s ten most-watched feature films in recent years. Previously Head of Business Affairs at TV4, he has been involved in more than 50 productions as both executive producer and legal advisor, bringing extensive creative and business expertise to the Nordic film industry.
MAGNÚS VIÐAR SIGURÐSSON ICELAND
Magnús Viðar Sigurðsson is one of Iceland’s most experienced producers, with over 30 years in film and television. At RVK Studios, he has produced acclaimed series such as Trapped and Katla and international co-productions including Netflix’s Against the Ice and the upcoming King & Conqueror (CBS/BBC). A 15-time Edda Award winner, Magnús has worked with major studios worldwide, adopted and produced global entertainment formats for Icelandic audiences, and played a key role in establishing Iceland as a hub for global filmmaking.
NADIA TURNICEV FRANCE
Nadia Turincev is a Paris-based producer and co-founder of Easy Riders Films, producing award-winning titles that have premiered at Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, San Sebastian and Tribeca. She previously co-founded Rouge International, producing more than 20 acclaimed films including Mimosas, Raw, The Insult (Oscar nomination), and Faces Places. A former Artistic Director of the Moscow International Film Festival and member of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection committee. Since 2022, she has been producing with the Swiss company Akka Films.
SKARPHÉÐINN GUÐMUNDSSON ICELAND
Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson is the CEO of Sagafilm, one of Iceland’s oldest and most active production companies, recently acquired by Skybound Entertainment. With a background as a film and music critic, journalist, and longtime Head of TV at RÚV, he brings decades of experience in shaping Iceland’s media landscape. At Sagafilm, he now oversees a wide range of scripted and non-scripted projects, including plays, documentaries, short films, and animation.
PROGRAM
WOMEN IN FILM: BREAKING BARRIERS & REWRITING NARRATIVE
3.10. 17.15
THE NORDIC HOUSE
In 1975, Iceland’s Women’s Day Off made international headlines when 90% of women across the country went on strike, exposing the invisible labor society depended on. Fifty years later, RIFF marks this anniversary with a vital conversation on how questions of equity and representation continue to shape cinema today.
This panel brings together filmmakers, producers, and advocates from Iceland, Europe, and beyond to examine systemic barriers, funding practices, and cultural blind spots — and to highlight the strategies women are using to transform the industry. It’s a chance to celebrate accomplishments, confront ongoing challenges, and reflect on how women continue to lead as storytellers, decision-makers, and changemakers in film.
MODERATOR:
GUÐRÚN ELSA BRAGADÓTTIR
ICELAND
Guðrún Elsa Bragadóttir is an assistant professor and programme director of theory in the Film Department at the Iceland University of the Arts. She holds a PhD from SUNY Buffalo, where her research focused on queer femininity, aggression, and humour in film. Her work includes contributions on women in the Icelandic film industry; she wrote a chapter on the position of women in Icelandic filmmaking in Women in the International Film Industry (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020), and co-authored Duna: Saga kvikmyndagerðarkonu (2024), a book on filmmaker Guðný Halldórsdóttir.
INDUSTRY DAYS PANELISTS:
KLAUDIA REYNICKE SWITZERLAND/PERU
Klaudia Reynicke is an award-winning writer-director whose work spans continents and cultures. Her debut II Nido (2016) premiered at Locarno, followed by Love Me Tender (2019), which screened at TIFF and major international festivals. Her latest feature Queens (Reinas) (2024) premiered at Sundance and went on to win the Berlinale Grand Jury Prize, the Locarno UBS Audience Award, and Best Screenplay at Festival de Lima. The film was Switzerland’s candidate for Best International Feature in the 2025 Oscars®.
MARGRÉT ÖRNÓLFSDÓTTIR ICELAND
Margrét Örnólfsdóttir is an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, and composer who has long been at the forefront of Icelandic television drama. Her credits include The Valhalla Murders, Trapped (season 2), Fangar (Prisoners), and the upcoming Finnish–Icelandic series Hildur. As Chair of the Icelandic Dramatists’ Union for 12 years, until 2024, she played a key role in cultural politics, representing Icelandic screenwriters nationally and across the Nordic and European arenas. Earlier in her career, she was a member of the iconic Icelandic pop band The Sugarcubes (1988–1992).
MARZIYEH MESHKINY IRAN
Marziyeh Meskhiny is an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker whose debut The Day I Became a Woman premiered at Venice Critics’ Week, winning three awards. Her follow-up Stray Dogs also screened in Venice and collected prizes worldwide. She has co-written the award-winning Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame and worked alongside the Makhmalbaf family on numerous films, cementing her place as a vital voice in Iranian and world cinema.
URSULA MEIER SWITZERLAND/FRANCE
Ursula Meier is an award-winning Swiss director celebrated for her sharp, intimate storytelling that blends realism with a touch of the uncanny. Her feature films Home and Sister premiered at Cannes and Berlin, winning international acclaim and multiple awards, and she has also directed acclaimed shorts and documentaries. A distinctive voice in contemporary European cinema, Meier is recognized for her ability to capture the tensions of family, society, and belonging with both precision and poetry.
PIPALUK K. JØRGENSEN GREENLAND
Pipaluk Kreutzmann Jørgensen is an awardwinning Greenlandic Inuk director, writer, and producer. Her feature debut Anori (2018) was the first Greenlandic feature by a female director and won multiple international awards. She codirected the Oscar-nominated short Ivalu and founded the Nuuk International Film Festival, championing Arctic and Indigenous cinema.
HONORARY MASTERCLASSES:
ANTON CORBIJN
MIXED MEDIA
MASTERCLASS
26.9. 17.15
HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 1
Moderator: ERLENDUR
SVEINSSON
For decades, Anton Corbijn has shaped the way we see music, cinema, and photography. From his iconic portraits of legendary musicians to groundbreaking music videos and atmospheric feature films, his work has defined the visual language of entire generations. In this special mixed-media masterclass, Corbijn will share photographs, music videos, and film excerpts, offering rare insight into his creative process and singular visual style. A unique chance to experience the journey of an artist who turns images into lasting emotional resonance.
KIM NOVAK MASTERCLASS
27.9. 17.30
HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 1
Moderator: SIGRÍÐUR PÉTURSDÓTTIR
For filmmakers and cinephiles alike, this masterclass with Kim Novak is a chance to learn directly from a living legend. She will reflect on her craft, the challenges of navigating Hollywood at its height, and the creation of one of cinema’s most haunting characters in Vertigo. An unforgettable opportunity to hear the stories behind the screen and experience the brilliance of an icon up close.
INDUSTRY DAYS
APICHATPONG
WEERASETHAKUL MASTERCLASS
30.9. 19.40
HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 1
Moderator: PEDRO EMILIO SEGURA BERNAL
Apichatpong Weerasethakul is one of the most distinctive voices in world cinema. Honored at RIFF this year for his artistic excellence, his films unfold like dreams, weaving together memory, myth, and the everyday into something both intimate and universal. In this masterclass, he will reflect on his creative process, his fascination with the spiritual and the subconscious, and the way cinema can evoke hidden layers of life and history. The conversation will be guided by RIFF’s own programmer, Pedro Emilio Segura Bernal—an unabashed admirer of his work—making for a dialogue that promises both depth and cinephile joy.
MOHSEN MAKHMALBAF MASTERCLASS
3.10. 18.30
HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 2
Moderator: NIKKITA HAMAR PATTERSON
Mohsen Makhmalbaf is not only one of the central figures of the Iranian New Wave but also one of world cinema’s most uncompromising storytellers. In this masterclass, he will reflect on his extraordinary journey — from self-taught filmmaker and political activist to internationally acclaimed director whose poetic and allegorical films have shaped global cinema. This session offers a rare chance to engage directly with an artist who has used film as both a humanist vision and a tool for change. A truly special encounter with a filmmaker whose work continues to resonate worldwide.
PROGRAM
A DIFFERENT TOMORROW IMPACT TALKS
In times marked by war, displacement, and climate crisis, RIFF’s Impact Talks provide space to confront the urgent realities shaping our world. Following selected screenings in the A Different Tomorrow section, filmmakers are joined by experts whose work directly relates to the issues at hand—whether in politics, human rights, health, or the environment. Together they unpack the themes of the films, asking how cinema can confront crises and inspire collective action.
THE LAST AMBASSADOR
27.9. 17.30 80+ 45MIN HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 2
Director: NATALIE HALLA
Panelists: NATALIE HALLA
BRYNJA DÖGG FRIÐRIKSDÓTTIR: filmmaker & anthropologist, served as a specialist for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan MAGNEA MARINÓSDÓTTIR: political scientist & gender equality specialist, with international experience in conflict and post-conflict regions
Moderator: TBA Country: Austria
After the Taliban takeover, Afghan ambassador Manizha Bakhtari remains in Vienna, representing a country that no longer officially exists. The film and ensuing talk highlight women’s rights in Afghanistan, the political and personal realities of exile, and the power of cinema to give voice to struggles otherwise silenced.
ALL THAT'S LEFT OF YOU
28.9. 17.30 145MIN + 45MIN HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 2
Director: CHERIEN DABIS
Panelists: CHERIEN DABIS
HJÁLMTÝR HEIÐDAL: Chair of the IcelandPalestine Association
Moderator: SIGMUNDUR ERNIR RÚNARSSON
Country: Germany, Cyprus, Palestine, Jordan, Greece, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
An emotionally overwhelming epic, All That’s Left of You follows a Palestinian family across three generations as they endure the trauma of Israeli occupation and displacement from their land. Vital and deeply humane, the film sets the stage for a conversation on resilience, justice, and the power of cinema to bear witness to lives under oppression.
INDUSTRY DAYS
TEENAGE LIFE INTERRUPTED
29.9. 17.15 90MIN + 45MIN HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 2
Director: ÅSE SVENHEIM DRIVENES
Panelists: ÅSE SVENHEIM DRIVENES
ELIN DRIVENES: Protagonist, Medical D octor
KARI MOE & GUDMUNDUR GUNARSSON : film’s producers
GEIR GUNNLAUGSSON: Emeritus Professor of Global Health
Moderator: HÓLMFRÍÐUR MARÍA
RAGNHILDARDÓTTIR
Country: Norway
Following doctors in Tromsø struggling to treat teenagers with undiagnosable illnesses, the film reveals both the resilience of youth and the gaps of medical systems worldwide. The discussion will address how societies respond to invisible illnesses, and how film can shed light on what resists easy understanding.
5 SEASONS OF REVOLUTION
30.9. 19.10 95MIN + 45MIN HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 2
Director: LINA
Panelists: LINA
ÞÓRIR JÓNSSON HRAUNDAL: assistant professor of history, specialist in the Middle East and commentator on the Syrian revolution
MAGNEA MARINÓSDÓTTIR: political scientist & gender equality specialist, with international experience in conflict and post-conflict regions
Moderator: KATRÍN JAKOBSDÓTTIR: former Prime Minister of Iceland
Country: Germany, Syria, Norway, The Netherlands, Qatar
As protests erupt in Damascus, a young SYRIAN journalist risks everything to document her city and friends, even as loved ones are imprisoned or killed. This screening, organized in collaboration with Amnesty International Iceland, opens a vital discussion on truth-telling under authoritarianism, personal testimony, and the fight for human rights.
MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN
3.10. 19.10 90MIN + 45MIN HÁSKÓLABÍÓ SCREENING ROOM 3
Directors: PAVEL TALANKIN, DAVID BORENSTEIN
Panelists: PAVEL TALANKIN
DAVID BORENSTEIN
RÓSA MAGNÚSDÓTTIR: professor of history, specializing in ideology and propaganda, the Soviet Union, Cold War, and international contemporary history
JÓN ÓLAFSSON: professor of philosophy, specialist in Russian affairs
Moderator: BOGI ÁGÚSTSSON
Country: Denmark, Czech Republic
When a beloved schoolteacher in rural Russia is ordered to indoctrinate his students after the invasion of Ukraine, he secretly films the changes inside his classroom. The film sparks urgent reflection on propaganda, education, dissent, and the role of storytelling in resisting authoritarian power.
PROGRAM
WORK IN PROGRESS
3.10. 9.30–12.30
THE NORDIC HOUSE
Moderators: CHRISTOF WEHMEIER & FREDERIC BOYER
Each year, RIFF’s Works-in-Progress showcase offers a first look at some of the most exciting film and TV projects emerging from the North. In cooperation with the Icelandic Film Centre, the program presents excerpts from projects at various stages of production, giving industry guests a chance to discover new voices, forge partnerships, and follow stories from idea to screen. Since 2021, the showcase has expanded beyond Iceland to include projects from across the High North. This year’s line-up features works from Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Sápmi, Germany, and two projects from our Country in Focus, Switzerland, both open for Nordic co-production.
RIFF Industry Days warmly thanks the Icelandic Film Centre for their support, and extends special gratitude to Christof Wehmeier for his invaluable consultation on this year’s selection.
Please note: This is a closed event. The showcase will also be livestreamed for selected industry professionals and decision-makers. Inquiries regarding attendance and the livestream should be directed to industry@riff.is
FERLIÐ HANS BUBBA ART & PROCESS
An intimate portrait of prolific Icelandic musician Bubbi Morthens over one year as he records a new album, navigates family life and confronts his legacy.
Documentary
State of development: Production Production company: LJÓS Films, KISI Films
Director/Producer: ÁSGEIR SIGURÐSSON Ásgeir Sigurðsson is a rising Icelandic writerdirector known for the award winning drama Come to Harm and the comedy series Visitors.
Producer: ANTON KARL KRISTENSEN
Producer: JÚLÍUS KEMP
Producer: HALLDÓR ÍSAK ÓLAFSSON Halldór Ísak Ólafsson is a producer and co-founder of LJÓS Films where he has garnered recognition for works such as the award winning feature Come to Harm and groundbreaking Icelandic Sci-Fi/Comedy series Visitors.
INDUSTRY DAYS
LITIR COLORS
ICELAND
Litir is a documentary following musician Birnir over a period of roughly five years. The story begins as Birnir returns home from long-term treatment in Sweden, determined to face his inner fears with music and poetry as his weapons.
Documentary, Music
State of development: Production Production company: Undirheimar
BLESS BLESS, BLESI DEATH OF A HORSE
ICELAND
Set in the Icelandic community of competitive horse-riding, a murder investigation — into the death of a horse.
Crime, Drama
State of development: Production Production company: ACT4
ANDA
FAROE ISLANDS
Lifelong friends Carlo and Eyðrun enter college together, but a regretful event shatters their bond and sends them into a turbulent world of drama, heartbreak, and sexual confusion.
Youth/Teen
State of development: Development
Director: SØLVI NÆS HOYDAL
Sølvi Næs Hoydal is a 22-year-old filmmaker currently studying at LHÍ. He has screened four short films at the Faroese short film awards Geytin and participated in the Faroese film camp Nóllywood.
Director/Producer: ÍSAK HINRIKSSON
Director and producer of short films, TV projects, and music videos.
Producer: BERGÞÓR MÁSSON
Music manager and producer working across creative and cultural projects.
Director: HAFSTEINN GUNNAR SIGURÐSSON
Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson was born in 1978 in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is a writer and director, known for Under the Tree (2017), Either Way (2011) and Skröltormar (2007). He has also directed TV series such as Stella Blómkvist and episodes of Trapped.
Director: ÓSKAR ÞÓR AXELSSON
Óskar Þór Axelsson is an Icelandic film director and screenwriter. He is best known for the crime film Black’s Game (2012) and the mystery-horror I Remember You (2017).
Director: LÍV MIKKELSEN
Lív Mikkelsen is a Faroese journalist with over a decade of experience at the Faroese National Broadcasting Station, working across television and radio.
POLYORAMA
ICELAND
On opening night at the Reykjavík City Theatre, veteran actress Ingrid faces a backstage confrontation that unearths regret, secrets, and wounds decades in the making.
Dramedy
State of development: Post-production Production company: Sagafilm, Fenrir Films
Director: GRAEME MALEY
Graeme Maley is a writer-director whose works include Pale Star and A Reykjavík Porno (both Screen Scotland–funded, premiering at EIFF and screening internationally). His screenplays The Unloving and Sick Heart River have received international backing and recognition, with the latter selected for TIFF Finance Market 2022.
Producer: ARNAR BENJAMÍN
KRISTJÁNSSON
Arnar Benjamín Kristjánsson is an Icelandic producer with MAs from Met Film School, London, and Bifröst University. He has produced over 40 films and series, with screenings at festivals such as Edinburgh and Santa Barbara. Formerly CEO/ producer at Zik Zak Filmworks, he joined Sagafilm full-time in 2023.
UNDER ENDLESS SKIES
GERMANY, ICELAND, AUSTRIA
Two women set out to drive Iceland’s Ring Road, but when one mysteriously disappears and no one remembers her, the other is forced to confront her deepest loss and ultimately find herself.
Road Trip, Magical Realism State of development: Development Production company: Telling Stories Productions, Eichberger & Mühe GbR
Director/producer: KATRINE EICHBERGER
Katrine Eichberger is an Austrian filmmaker and producer based in Berlin, and co-founder of Telling Stories Productions. She co-directed and co-produced the feature The World Outside (2025) and was selected for TorinoFilmLab 2026 with Under Endless Skies. Originally trained as an actor, she holds a Master’s in Art History and is the recipient of several awards.
Director/producer: NIKOLAS MÜHE
Nikolas Mühe is a Berlin-based sound mixer, sound designer, and producer. His credits include Funeral for a Dog (Sky Original) and the feature Snowflake, nominated for sound design at the Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema in NYC. He won Best Sound Design for Athina at the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival and co-founded Telling Stories Productions with Katrine Eichberger.
INDUSTRY DAYS
PORSLIN PORCELAIN
SWEDEN, NORWAY
A baby boy is saved from his dying mother’s womb. As he grows up, captivated by stories of near-death experiences, he returns to his Sami grandmother in search of guidance, identity, and a sense of belonging.
Documentary
State of development: Development
Production company: Iris Film
Director: ANN HOLMGREN AUREBEKK
Ann Holmgren is a Swedish/Sami filmmaker, photographer, and writer from northern Sweden, working across diverse cinematic forms. She has directed several prizewinning short films, including Haldi and Nuit.
Producer: ANDREAS EMANUELSSON
Andreas Emanuelsson, together with Tony Österholm, runs Iris Film, a production company based in Luleå, northern Sweden. Their recent projects include the feature fiction Raptures (Jon Blåhed, 2025) and the feature documentary Once You Shall Be One of Those Who Lived Long Ago (Alexander Rynéus & Per Bifrost, 2025).
Producer: TONY ÖSTERHOLM
EIN JAHR OHNE SOMMER A YEAR WITHOUT SUMMER
SWITZERLAND, GERMANY
1816 – in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption that darkens the skies, a young peasant girl and her family struggle to survive a year without summer.
Drama
State of development: Development
Production company: Beauvoir Films
Director: FLURIN GIGER
Born in 1995 in the Swiss mountains as one of seven siblings, Flurin Giger trained as an actor before turning to directing. His debut short Ruah premiered at Venice in 2016, followed by Schächer at Cannes in 2018. A Year Without Summer is his first feature.
Producer: CÉCILE TOLLU-POLONOWSKI
Producer: ALINE SCHMID
Aline Schmid founded Beauvoir Films in 2016 after a career in distribution, festivals, and production. Her work includes The Girl and the Spider by Ramon and Silvan Zürcher (Berlinale 2021, two awards), Rivière by Hugues Hariche (Locarno), and The Landscape and the Fury by Nicole Vögele (Grand Prix Visions du Réel 2023, Doc Alliance Award).
PROGRAM
GRAVE
SWITZERLAND, ESTONIA
Deathly circumstances force a depressed gravedigger and a butcher-turned-hitman together on a frantic and absurd journey, to finally discover an unlikely and powerful friendship.
Black Comedy, Drama
State of development: Development Production companies: Cinédokké, Allfilm, Turnus Film
MINIKKA
GREENLAND
After surviving a brutal assault by an outsider and giving birth to his child, a teenage girl vanishes— only to return as a vengeful, supernatural force, terrorising the isolated community that stole her son in a desperate act of retribution.
Horror
State of development: Development
Director: PIETRO ZUERCHER
Swiss filmmaker and cinematographer, Pietro Zuercher studied at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and has worked internationally for over 25 years. His directorial debut, the dark comedy Grave, is currently in production.
Director: ANNA PIERI ZUERCHER
Swiss actress and pianist, Anna Pieri Zuercher is known for her lead role in Tatort and for her award-winning performance in Double Vie. She has appeared in numerous Swiss and international productions, including Last Dance (Locarno, 2022).
Producer: MICHELA PINI
MICHELA Pini in 2007 founded Cinédokké in Lugano. She produced Love Me Tender by Klaudia Reynicke (selected, among others, at Locarno, Toronto IFF and BFI London FF) — and Unrest by Cyril Schäublin (Best Director, Berlinale Encounters 2022), works by two emerging talents in Swiss cinema. Her recent minority co-productions include Alice Rohrwacher's La Chimera and Leonardo Di Costanzo’s Elisa.
Producer: OLGA LAMONTANARA
Director: FLAMINIA GRAZEDEI
British-Italian award-winning director, producer, and BAFTA member. She has worked across Italy, the UK, and Spain, and founded LonRom Film Production Ltd. in 2012. Her credits include numerous award-winning shorts, commercials, and the feature The Final Haunting (Amazon Prime). With over 30 international awards and 80+ nominations, she is currently completing her second feature A Year in London, a UK/Italy co-production funded by the Italian MIC.
Producer: DUDO RAE
Screenwriter and author known for vivid storytelling, sharp dialogue, and strong character development. Their work blends cinematic pacing with literary depth, bringing complex themes to life on screen and page.
NETWORKING EVENTS
FESTIVAL BAR : SLIPPBARINN
Your go-to meeting point during the festival, perfect for connecting with fellow guests, networking, or enjoying a drink between sessions.
HÁSKÓLABÍÓ FOYER
A casual spot to catch up, chat about films, or relax between screenings and events with a drink and popcorn in hand.
INDUSTRY PARTY : CO-HOSTED BY THE SWISS EMBASSY
2.10. 17.30–19.30 SLIPPBARINN
Kick off RIFF Industry Days with an evening celebrating our Swiss guests! This reception offers the perfect opportunity to mingle, enjoy a drink, and connect with fellow filmmakers, producers, and festival professionals. A hot date on the festival calendar not to be missed.
INDUSTRY TRIP
4.10. INVITE ONLY
A long-standing RIFF tradition, the Industry Trip is a full-day excursion through some of Iceland’s most cinematic landscapes. Primarily reserved for invited guests, the trip is more than just sightseeing: it’s a space to explore stories, share experiences, and understand Iceland’s filmmaking potential firsthand. The itinerary varies
each year, but always includes a mix of striking locations, cultural context, and informal time to connect. Whether you find yourself walking through lava fields or listening to folk legends in a fishing village, this is where conversations turn into collaborations.
4.10. 15.30–17.00 HÁSKÓLABÍÓ FOYER
Join us for a relaxed Saturday evening gathering to toast the close of Industry Days. The mixer brings together visiting industry professionals, Talent Lab participants, and Icelandic short film directors for casual conversation, new connections, and a well-earned drink before the festival’s final day.
INDUSTRY DAYS
INDUSTRY ACCREDITATIONS
INDUSTRY BASIC ISK 6,090
Included in this pass:
– Panels and Masterclasses
– Impact Panels: In depth panel discussions hosted after all "A Different Tomorrow" category film screenings.
– RIFF talks: Held in the spirit of TED talks, RIFF talks features a series of film professionals sharing their tips and tricks of how to make it in the industry.
NB: Access to all screenings, special screenings and exclusive industry events are not included in the Industry BASIC accreditation.
SINGLE TICKET
Panels: ISK 1900
Masterclass: ISK 2350
INDUSTRY FULL ISK 25,500
Included in this pass:
– Access to all regular screenings in our program – Panels and Masterclasses
– Impact Panels: In depth panel discussions hosted after all "A Different Tomorrow" category film screenings.
– RIFF talks: Held in the spirit of TED talks, RIFF talks features a series of film professionals sharing their tips and tricks of how to make it in the industry.
NB: Access to special events are not included in the industry FULL accreditation
INDUSTRY FULL FILM STUDENT ISK 20,500
Included in this pass: Same access as Industry FULL with a 20% student discount.
Please note: All accredited guests are invited to use the “Who Is Here” database on the Eventival platform to discover fellow attendees, schedule meetings, and exchange contacts your gateway to making the most of RIFF Industry Days!
SPECIAL THANKS
Apply for an Industry Accreditation at riff.is
The schedule is subject to change –follow the latest updates on
FÖSTUDAGUR FRIDAY 26. 9.
17:15 HB 2 » ANTON CORBIJN MIXED MEDIA MASTERCLASS
MIÐVIKUDAGUR WEDNESDAY 1. 10
17:00 HB 3 » RIFF TALKS
LAUGARDAGUR SATURDAY 27. 9
17:30 HB 1 » KIM NOVAK MASTERCLASS
17:30 HB 2 » THE LAST AMBASSADOR + IMPACT TALK
SUNNUDAGUR SUNDAY 28. 9
17:30 HB 2 » ALL THAT’S LEFT OF YOU + IMPACT TALK
MÁNUDAGUR MONDAY 29. 9
17:15 HB 2 » TEENAGE LIFE INTERRUPTED + IMPACT TALK ÞRIÐJUDAGUR TUESDAY 30. 9
19:10 HB 2 » 5 SEASONS OF REVOLUTION + IMPACT TALK 19:40 HB 1 » APICHATPONG MASTERCLASS
FIMMTUDAGUR THURSDAY 2. 10
9:00 NH » YOUNG NORDIC VOICES THINK TANK* 13:30 NH » FRAMING FILM PANEL
15:30 NH » CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE NORDICS PANEL
17:30 SB » INDUSTRY DAYS PARTY*
FÖSTUDAGUR FRIDAY 3. 10
9:30 NH » WORK IN PROGRESS SHOWCASE* 14:00 NH » ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
17:15 NH » WOMEN IN FILM PANEL
18:30 HB 2 » MOHSEN MAKHMALBAF MASTERCLASS
19:10 HB 3 » MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN + IMPACT TALK
LAUGARDAGUR SATURDAY 4. 10
9:00 N/A » INDUSTRY TRIP*
15:00 HB » SATURDAY MIXER
17:00 NH » CLOSING CEREMONY*
* Invite only
HB 1 HÁSKÓLABÍÓ, HALL 1
HB 2 HÁSKÓLABÍÓ, HALL 2
HB 3 HÁSKÓLABÍÓ, HALL 3
SB SLIPPBARINN
NH NORDIC HOUSE
