We are delighted to have you join us for this edition of the Reykjavík International Film Festival. We've curated an exciting lineup of masterclasses, panels, discussions, and networking events that we hope you'll take full advantage of throughout the festival. Inside this brochure, you'll find essential information about the Talent Lab program, an introduction to your fellow participants, and some helpful practical details.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
IT’S a true pleasure to welcome you all to Reykjavik for this year’s Talent Lab. I’m excited to meet so many passionate spirits, eager to embark on a journey of creative exploration.
I hope this will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your work in fresh, innovative ways and build meaningful connections that will inspire your future endeavors.
Together, we’ll push boundaries, challenge traditional approaches, and dive deep into the
GREEN INITIATIVE
many facets of storytelling, production, and pitching. And while you’re here, don’t forget to embrace the incredible beauty of Iceland and Reykjavik - what I like to call a dash of our “Icelandic nature sauce.”
I’M excited to witness the outcomes of this lab and look forward to challenging you, and being challenged in return, to ensure this experience holds lasting value for the creative adventures that lie ahead on your path.
AT RIFF, we're committed to eco-friendly practices and aim to set the standard for sustainability among Icelandic festivals. That's why we've reduced the number of printed brochures, using fewer pages and environmentally responsible paper. This Talent Lab brochure is only available in digital format. You can find more information about our green efforts at riff.is.
RIFF TALENT LAB
The RIFF Talent Lab is a dedicated section of our festival, designed for emerging filmmakers working on their debut feature film.
Over five dynamic days, participants will engage directly with film producers and industry professionals for invaluable advice and consultation on their first feature. They’ll also connect with fellow filmmakers from diverse backgrounds around the globe, creating an inspiring and collaborative environment.
Attendees will join exclusive masterclasses and discussions led by renowned figures in the film industry. Education and entertainment blend seamlessly, with a packed schedule of films, workshops, events, and more.
This year’s Talent Lab will take place from September 30th to October 4th, 2025, hosting 29 talented participants from across the world.
THE GOLDEN EGG
Participants also have the chance to submit their short films to the prestigious Golden Egg competition. Selected films, chosen by our screening committee, will be featured in the festival’s official program, competing for the coveted Golden Egg Award.
THE MISSION
RIFF’s core values—Innovation, Networking, and Dialogue—come to life in the Talent Lab. The lab celebrates and promotes the innovative work of emerging filmmakers, while creating essential networking opportunities with buyers and distributors. It also provides a platform for participants to exchange ideas and experiences with peers from across the globe.
THE PROGRAM
Each year, the Talent Lab offers a unique and exciting blend of masterclasses, panels, workshops, screenings, and social events. Masterclasses this year feature RIFF's some of RIFF’s honorary guests, an exclusive Masterclass from produced Charis Auti as well as some of Iceland’s top filmmakers.
Throughout the lab, participants will be guided on their journey to grow as filmmakers, gaining the skills and insights they need to take the next step in their careers - alongside good company.
10:15 - 11:15 Case Study: Shorts → First Feature NATURA
11:30 - 12:15
Masterclass: Working with Your First Producer NATURA LUNCH
13:00 - 15:00 Framing Film Nordic House (NH)
15:30 - 17:00 Co-Production with the Nordics Panel Nordic House (NH)
17:30 - 19:30 Industry Days Party - Swiss Slippbarinn (SB)
09:00 - 10:00
Masterclass: Making a LowBudget Feature NATURA
10:15 - 11:15 Zürcher Brothers NATURA
11:30 - 12:15
Masterclass: Story Structure with Axtion Blocks NATURA
09:00 - 10:30 Directing Actors with Þorsteinn Bachmann NATURA 10:45 - 11:30 Pitch Preparation Clinic NATURA LUNCH 12:30 - 16:00 Final Pitch Forum NATURA
13:30 - 15:00 Pitch Group Exercises I NATURA
15:15 - 16:15
Masterclass: Denis Côté NATURA
17:00 - 16:15 Women in Film Panel Nordic House (NH)
18:30 - 20:00
Masterclass: Mohsen Makhmalbaf Háskólabíó 2 (HB)
17:00 - 19:00 Closing Ceremony and film Nordic House (NH)
22:00 Closing Party Edition Hotel until 11:00 Check-out NATURA
PROGRAM
TUESDAY 30TH
SEPTEMBER
CHECK IN & REGISTRATION
15:00 - 16:30 NATURA- RECEPTION
Welcome! It’s time to get settled and organized. Head to the Natura Hotel reception starting at 15:00 to check in to your accommodation. If you arrive early, reception can store your luggage, but early checkins are not available. Right next to the reception, you'll find the Talent Lab team will be excited to greet you.
WALK FROM NATURA TO HÁSKÓLABÍÓ (HB)
DEPARTURE 16:30 - 17:00 FROM NATURA RECEPTION
TL: KICK-OFF DRINKS
17:30 - 18:30 / HB LOBBY
Let’s start the Talent Lab with a toast! Join us for a casual meet-and-greet with fellow participants and organizers. Pick up your accreditations. It’s the perfect opportunity to mingle, enjoy a drink, and capture the moment - be ready for some photos!
DINNER
18:30 - 19:30
You can grab sandwiches at Háskólabíó, or check out the food trucks just outside. For more options, refer to the TL25 Food Guide, which lists great places nearby
WEDNESDAY THE
W1ST OF OCTOBER
BREAKFAST
07:30 - 08:30 / NATURA
Kick off your day with a free takeaway breakfast from SATT restaurant
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
09:00 – 10:15 / NATURA
We begin the Talent Lab with introductions. Hrafnkell will guide participants through presenting themselves, their projects, and their goals for the week. This is the first opportunity to get to know each other and set the tone for the Lab.
PITCH MASTERCLASS
10:30 – 11:30 / NATURA
Andri Óttarsson will lead a focused session on pitching. Learn what makes a good pitch stand out, and hear about the most common mistakes to avoid.
LUNCH
11:30 – 12:30
A chance to recharge, network informally, and prepare for the afternoon session.
MASTERCLASS: PRODUCERS AS ENTREPRENEURS
12:30 – 13:30 / NATURA (ONLINE)
Chris Auty joins us online to discuss the evolving role of producers as entrepreneurs. Gain insights into how producers create opportunities and navigate the industry.
PITCH WORKSHOP (SELF-WORK)
13:30 – 14:15
MASTERCLASS: APITCHATPONG
19:40 - 21:00 / HB1
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.
GOLDEN EGG SCREENING + Q&A
21:00 - 23:00 / HB
Join us in the cinema for the first section of this year’s Golden Egg screenings, featuring films by Talent Lab participants. A 30-minute Q&A will follow the screening.
Time to work on your pitch taking in the lesson from the morning session.
MASTERCLASS: THE FIRST-TIME DIRECTOR
14:30 – 16:00 / NATURA
Filmmaker Vala Ómarsdóttir, just a month away from shooting her first feature shares the journe. From creative challenges to lessons learned, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from a soon to be firsttime director.
CHANGE OF LOCATION
16:00 – 17:00
Time to head from Natura to Háskólabíó for the evening programme.
RIFF TALKS
17:00 – 18:30 / HÁSKÓLABÍÓ 3
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.
THURSDAY THE 2ND OF OCTOBER
BREAKFAST
07:30 - 08:30 / NATURA
Kick off your day with a free takeaway breakfast from SATT restaurant
MASTERCLASS: URSULA M.
09:00 – 10:00 / NATURA
Start the day with Ursula Meier, who will share her insights and experiences in this opening masterclass.
CASE STUDY: SHORTS → FIRST FEATURE
10:15 – 11:15 / NATURA
Director Grímur Hákonar discusses the leap from short films to a first feature. Learn about the challenges, lessons, and strategies behind making that critical transition.
MASTERCLASS: WORKING WITH YOUR FIRST PRODUCER
11:30 – 12:15 / NATURA
Producer Hlín Jóhannesdóttir explains how producers evaluate debut projects, and how they support first-time filmmakers in navigating the industry.
LUNCH
12:15 – 13:00
Take a break, refuel, and connect informally with fellow participants.
CHANGE OF LOCATION
13:00 – 13:30
Travel together from Natura to Nordic House for the afternoon sessions.
FRAMING FILM
13:30 – 15:00 / 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.
CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE NORDICS PANEL
15:30 – 17:00 / NORDIC HOUSE
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.
INDUSTRY DAYS PARTY – SWISS
17:30 – 19:30 / SLIPPBARIN
Round off the day with the Swiss Industry Days Party at Slippbarinn. A lively evening of networking, conversation, and celebration with industry guests.
FRIDAY THE 3RD OF OCTOBER
BREAKFAST
07:30 - 08:30 / NATURA
Kick off your day with a free takeaway breakfast from SATT restaurant
MASTERCLASS: MAKING A LOW-BUDGET FEATURE
09:00 – 10:00 / NATURA
Filmmaker Ólöf Birna presents a practical case study on producing a feature on limited resources. Learn the strategies and creative solutions behind low-budget filmmaking.
ZÜRCHER BROTHERS: CAREER RESILIENCE
10:15 – 11:15 / NATURA
The Zürcher brothers reflect on their experience of making their first feature The Strange Little Cat (2013), offering insights highly relevant to participants preparing for their own debut films. They will discuss their unique collaborative process, as well as the evolution of their celebrated “Animal Trilogy” and how each film grew out of the previous one.
MASTERCLASS: STORY STRUCTURE WITH AXTION BLOCKS
11:30 – 12:15 / NATURA
Hrafnkell introduces Axtion Blocks, a story-structure methodology designed for breaking down and strengthening a feature narrative.
LUNCH
12:30 – 13:30
Take time to recharge and connect informally with your peers before the afternoon’s interactive sessions.
PITCH GROUP EXERCISES I
13:30 – 15:00 / NATURA
Participants practice their 2-minute pitches in small groups. Receive constructive peer feedback in a supportive environment, preparing for the main pitching sessions ahead.
MASTERCLASS: DENIS CÔTÉ
15:15 – 16:15 / NATURA
Denis Côté explores the realities of festival pressure and the challenges of shooting your first film.
CHANGE OF LOCATION
16:15 – 17:00
Travel to Nordic House or Háskólabíó for the evening programme.
WOMEN IN FILM PANEL
17:00 – 18:15 / NORDIC HOUSE
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.
MASTERCLASS: MOHSEN MAKHMALBAF
18:30 – 20:00 / HÁSKÓLABÍÓ 2
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.
SATURDAY THE 4TH OF OCTOBER
BREAKFAST
07:30 - 08:30 / NATURA
Kick off your day with a free takeaway breakfast from SATT restaurant
MASTERCLASS: DIRECTING ACTORS
09:00 – 10:30 / NATURA
Actor and director Þorsteinn Bachmann leads a hands-on session on working effectively with actors. Learn practical approaches to communication, trust-building, and performance.
PITCH PREPARATION CLINIC
10:45 – 11:30 / NATURA
A last rehearsal before the big moment. Participants polish their delivery and refine key points of their pitches with final feedback and guidance.
LUNCH
11:30 – 12:30
Take a break and gather your focus before the culminating event of the Lab.
FINAL PITCH FORUM
12:30 – 16:00 / NATURA
Talent Lab participants present their projects to a panel of industry experts. This is the showcase moment of the Lab, offering feedback and opportunities for future connections.
CHANGE OF LOCATION
16:00 – 17:00
Travel from Natura to Nordic House for the closing ceremony.
CLOSING CEREMONY & FILM
17:00 – 19:00 / NORDIC HOUSE
Let’s celebrate the achievements of the week together. The Lab concludes with a closing ceremony and a film screening — a fitting finale to an inspiring programme.
CLOSING PARTY
22:00 / EDITION HOTEL
The celebrations continue at the RIFF Closing Party. Come together one last time to toast the week, share memories, and dance the night away at Edition Hotel.
GOLDEN EGG JURY
RÚNAR GUÐBRANDSSON
is a seasoned Icelandic actor and acting teacher. He has appeared in numerous films and television series, including The Deep, Black’s Game, Fractures, and most recently IceGuys. Alongside his screen career, he has directed and performed in dozens of stage productions in Iceland and abroad. He was the first Professor of Acting at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and is currently Head of Acting at the Icelandic Film School, where he has trained a generation of Icelandic actors.
GUNNAR BJÖRN GUÐMUNDSSON
is experienced film director and screenwriter, He has directed four feature films, written and directed multiple shorts and television shows and hundreds of television commercials. He has also worked in theatre where he as directed over forty stage productions.
ÓLÖF BIRNA TORFADÓTTIR
is an experienced screenwriter and director with two feature films and a television series to her name. She is the director of How to Be a Classy Hoe and Top 10 Must, and the screenwriter of the series Skíz. She is currently writing for multiple television projects, with new productions expected to go into filming in the coming years.
THE GOLDEN EGG
Lengd Duration 82 MIN
30.9 Háskólabíó 3 21:00 + Q&A
The Golden Egg is a competition category featuring a selection of short films from up-andcoming directors and producers participating in the RIFF Talent Lab.
FADEAWAY SKUGGAR SKÁPSINS
After a hookup text leads to the discovery of a deadly overdose, a closeted bisexual man is confronted by memories of his potentially life-saving connection with the victim, and an old omen with newfound meaning.
Brendan Prost CA 2025 14 MIN
CLAY LEIR
Stranded in their car-home, a couple’s chance at quick cash cracks when their ceramic pot breaks. Concealing the incident from her boyfriend, the woman must devise a new plan.
7 TO 10
SJÖ TIL TÍU
Olivia has been attempting to process her sexual assault trauma through hypersexuality but she finds herself unable to hide how much her past is withholding her life.
Filippo Mira UK 2025 9 MIN
I ABSOLUTELY HATE THIS PLACE ÉG BARA HATA
ÞENNAN STAÐ
Confronting the man in the mirror for the first time, Omar's body dysmorphia comes to life through the use of mixed-media animation in a colourful and chaotic representation of what it feels like to not be in tune with your own body.
Nunes BR 2025 5 MIN
Ana Pio UK 2024 15 MIN
SPIDER KÖNGULÓ
A teenage flautist finds refuge from his father's controlling expectations by exploring sexual arachnophilia.
Cate Christiansen USA 2024 11 MIN
SORRY, IT'S A GIRL ÞVÍ MIÐUR ER ÞETTA STÚLKA
When a woman discovers she is pregnant with a baby girl, family and cultural pressures force her to consider an abortion.
Jaskaran Gill CA 2025 10 MIN
THE STRANGER STRANAC BÍLSTJÓRINN
An anonymous taxi driver drifts through a night in Zagreb. Three rides reveal fragments of his past. The city’s social fabric and nightlife slowly unfold.
Milorad Milatović HR 2024 19 MIN
Gabriel
TALENT LAB SPEAKERS
HRAFNKELL STEFÁNSSON
is a prominent screenwriter and educator, contributing to the Icelandic film industry since graduating from the London Film School in 2007. He was Head of the Screenwriting and Directing Department at the Icelandic Film School from 2011 to 2025, mentoring future filmmakers. Known for films like Polite People (2011) and City State(2011), Hrafnkell is actively involved in various projects, enhancing his reputation as a versatile writer in contemporary cinema
ANDRI ÓTTARSSON
is an Icelandic screenwriter and TV creator best known as co-creator and co-writer of the crime drama Case (2015). He has writing credits on notable Icelandic series including Stella Blómkvist and Black Sands. Andri works as Content Director and executive producer on Glassriver projects and has helped develop several Nordic-noir productions. He received an Edda nomination for Case. Before entering television he worked as a police officer, criminal attorney, and served as a political party secretary-general.
CHRIS AUTY
is a British film producer, executive, and educator. A former journalist for Time Out and Sight & Sound, he founded Oasis distributing films before joining Recorded Picture Company and cofounding HanWay Films. As producer or executive producer, his credits include Stealing Beauty, Crash, In This World, My Summer of Love, and The Proposition. Since 2012 he has led producing at the National Film & Television School, launching its Creative Business MA, and in 2023 became Director of the London Film School.
VALA ÓMARSDÓTTIR
is an Icelandic director and performance maker working across film, theatre, and dance. Trained at Goldsmiths, Central School of Speech and Drama, and The Icelandic Film School, she creates works blending narrative and experimental forms. Her short ÉG/I screened at over 30 festivals worldwide, winning awards including Best Fiction Short at RVK Feminist Film Festival and honors at Outfest LA, Trans Pride Brighton, and Vancouver IWFF. She was nominated for Director of the Year at the Icelandic Performing Arts Awards in 2022 and is developing her debut feature Bara barn.
URSULA MEIER
is a French-Swiss director and screenwriter known for her compelling storytelling and exploration of complex human emotions. A graduate of Belgium’s Institut des Arts de Diffusion, she began her career with awardwinning short films. Meier's feature films include Home (2008), which premiered at Cannes, Sister (2012), which won a Special Silver Bear at Berlinale, and The Line (2022). Her work has garnered international acclaim for its nuanced narratives and cinematic artistry.
GRÍMUR HÁKONARSON
is an Icelandic film director and screenwriter known for his human-centered stories rooted in rural Iceland. A graduate of FAMU in Prague, he first gained international acclaim with Rams (2015), which won Cannes’ Un Certain Regard Award. His later work, including The County (2019), continues to explore community, resilience, and tradition with warmth and quiet social critique. Hákonarson also directs documentaries and is celebrated for blending authenticity, humor, and striking Icelandic landscapes in his filmmaking.
HLÍN JÓHANNESDÓTTIR
is a veteran producer with over 20 years of experience in various roles across the film industry. Since 2000, she has collaborated with successful Icelandic directors and founded her production company, Ursus Parvus, in 2015. Hlín has produced notable works like The Minister II (2023) and Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (2023), which premiered at Sundance. Her projects have received recognition at major festivals, and she remains a pivotal figure in Icelandic cinema, nurturing new talent.
ÓLÖF BIRNA TORFADÓTTIR
is an Icelandic director, screenwriter, and producer known for her darkly comedic storytelling. A graduate of the Icelandic Film School, she has directed several short films, including Last Summer (2016) and Split (2018), which have been featured at international festivals such as the Reykjavík Feminist Film Festival and Frostbiter Film Festival. Her feature films include How to Be a Classy Tramp (2021) and Top 10 Must (2024), both showcasing her distinctive voice in Icelandic cinema.
RAMON AND SILVAN ZÜRCHER
are Swiss filmmakers known for their distinctive, meticulously crafted dramas that transform domestic spaces into surreal landscapes. Their debut feature, The Strange Little Cat (2013), premiered at the Berlinale Forum and was followed by The Girl and the Spider (2021), which premiered in the Berlinale Encounters section. Their latest film, The Sparrow in the Chimney (2024), premiered at the Locarno Film Festival. The Zürcher brothers co-founded Zürcher Film in 2017.
DENIS CÔTÉ
is a Canadian independent filmmaker and producer based in Quebec. Born in 1973 in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, he studied film at Collège Ahuntsic in Montreal and founded Nihil Productions in 1994. Côté's experimental films have been showcased at major international festivals. His notable works include Drifting States (2005), which won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival, and Curling (2010), which earned him the Best Director award at Locarno. In 2024, he received the Prix AlbertTessier for his body of work in film.
ÞORSTEINN BACHMANN
iS an Icelandic actor with over three decades of experience in film, television, and theatre. A graduate of the Drama School of Iceland (1991), he gained international recognition for his role in Life in a Fishbowl (2014), earning an Edda Award for Best Actor. He has appeared in acclaimed productions such as Katla (2021), The Darkness (2024), and True Detective (2024). Bachmann also teaches masterclasses on "Directing Actors" and has served as Artistic Director of the Akureyri Theatre Company.
TALENT LAB PARTICIPANTS 2025
SHANICE BOWRIN ACTOR
Shanice Bowrin, a Montreal-born creative, began in voiceover and gained recognition as an actor in YUKI VS PANDA and SUSAN AND THE NOT SO SUPER FRIENDS. She co-directed and starred in works like THROUGH THE PAGES and WHY THE RIVER SINGS. Recent credits include COCOA BUTTER WISHES, THE ABSURDITY OF THE BLACK FEMALE EXPERIENCE, and upcoming role in SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS on CBC. She was a panellist at the Black Queer Filmmakers Summit and wrote QUEEN OF SPICE (2024) and CHECK, PLEASE!
LAURA CARNET DIRECTOR
Originally from France, Laura immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 2013 where she worked for several years as a script supervisor. Since 2018, she has been dedicated to writing and directing. As the co-founder of the production company Studio Marginal, she produces and direct music videos and commercials while also developing her narrative work as a screenwriter and film director. She is currently in the process of writing her first feature film, "La Marche des Ombres”.
JASKARAN GILL WRITER/PRODUCER
Jaskaran Gill (she/her) is a writer and producer hailing from Toronto/Tkaronto a city that boasts itself as the most multicultural in the world. Growing up around hundreds of nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, religions, and races, Jaskaran is driven to see her city’s vibrant diversity reflected on the big and small screen. Founder of The Last Bite Films, she works to achieve this by committing to anti-racism and decolonization, which is at the core of the stories she tell.
PROGRAM
DANIEL GRANVILLE WRITER/DIRECTOR
Daniel Granville is a British director and screenwriter. In 2024 he was named a winner of the inaugural David Yates Fund, through Create Studios, and wrote and directed the drama/horror “Ghost Story” (2024). Previous works have screened at the IndieView Festival and Kino Im Sprengel Film Festival. In addition to this, he has been a member of the Channel 4 & Sony Pictures Television "Momentum" mentorship scheme in 2023, and the BFI "New Voices: Step Up" Southwest programme in 2024.
BALDER LJUNGGREN
DIRECTOR
Balder is a writer and director from Stockholm, Sweden. He graduated with a BFA in film from HDK-Valand 2024 and was selected for Nordic Talents by Nordisk Film & TV Fond to pitch his feature length debut Worldbuilding. The same year he also won The Swedish Film Institutes yearly prize for an up-and-coming director: Wild Card. His first short film, Vrå, was in competition for Best Swedish Short at Göteborg Film Festival 2024. He’s also one of the founders of the production company BANK.
JUNG KYU HWANG DIRECTOR
Michael Hwang is a Korean-Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto. After leaving the University of Toronto’s engineering program, he founded his production company CineMike. His work includes A Losing Game (2022), which screened at Toronto Shorts International Film Festival. His feature screenplay A Funeral was selected for Reelworld E20 and Stowe Story Labs, while his TV series The Guardians was featured at SeriesFest Pitch-A-Thon. Hwang explores perception and identity through precise narratives.
TALENT LAB
MILORAD MILATOVIC DIRECTOR
Born in 1996 in Nikšić, Montenegro, Milorad Milatović finished BA studies at Faculty of Drama, Cetinje. During studies he directed short fiction films, documentaries, music videos, and commercials.
Short film "Someone Else" was selected for more than 20 festivals and won the awards for Best Film in the Arte Mare Student Competition, Best Short Film at the Brač Film Festival and Best Regional Independent Film at MikroFAF. He was part of Sarajevo Talents program in 2022.
SARAH MARSH SCREENWRITER
Sarah Marsh is a writer/director living in Brooklyn, NY. Sarah has produced two short films: she wrote a post-apocalyptic drama, and she wrote and directed a female-centric thriller. Sarah writes across multiple genres that explore queer and female-identifying protagonists. Sarah is interested in telling stories that highlight people who straddle different worlds, seeking love and validation in their quests to better understand themselves.
GABRIEL NUNES DIRECTOR
Gabriel is an award-winning gender-queer Brazilian filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. Their work is frequently inspired by Latin American folklore, Magical Realism and gender expressions, exploring themes like nostalgia and diasporic relationships.
FILIPPO MIRA
Filippo Mira is a London-based filmmaker from northern Italy. He studied at the London Film Academy, where his short film Love’s Vacuum won the 2015 Audience Award. Since 2018, he has focused on editing, gaining experience in branded content and TV commercials while pursuing fiction and documentary storytelling. His 2024 documentary directorial debut, A Silent Crisis, won Best Documentary at the Greenwich and Southport Film Festivals.
BRENDAN PROST DIRECTOR
Brendan Prost is a former child actor turned filmmaker from Calgary, currently based in Vancouver, who is best known for a dozen short films that have played major international, Oscar qualifying, and queer film festivals around the world. Brendan holds an MFA in Film and Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and graduated with distinction from Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts. He is also an alum of the Directors’ Lab at the Canadian Film Centre.
JULIA ROWLAND WRITER
Julia Rowland is an award-winning writer, producer and director. Her writing has appeared in Toronto Life Magazine, The Antigonish Review, and other online and print publications.
Despite disliking camping or any vigorous outdoor activities, Julia gravitates towards stories where landscapes and nature play an integral part in the narrative. She's a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre's Writers' Lab, From Our Dark Side & Whistler's Producing Lab. is always highly caffeinated.
PROGRAM
TALENT LAB
LATIF ULLAH DIRECTOR
Latif Ullah, a Myanmar-Canadian filmmaker, has an eclectic background in photography, dance, and writing. He was invited to Platform Busan (2024) at the Busan International Film Festival where he pitched his first feature film, "Kage No Hana," starring actor Mako Fujimoto known for her work on the Emmy winning television drama "Shōgun".
KYOKO SCHOLIERS DIRECTOR
Kyoko Scholiers (°1981) graduated as a theater director, writer and actress. She performs on-screen and in theaters in Europe, with a.o. Comp.Marius and tg STAN. She mainly writes and directs her own poetic and raw theater work, touring in international festivals and operas. In 2024 she finished filmstudies at KASKA. Coffee at Lourdes is her film director’s debut, starring Jan Bijvoet (Borgman, Peaky Blinders, The Broken Circle Breakdown) and Sofie Decleir (Julie Keeps Quiet, Wil, Nowhere)
ELENA STURK-LUSSIER
SCREENWRITER
Elena Sturk-Lussier is a francophone screenwriter, director, and independent filmmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her latest projects include the narrative short film SLURP, an erotic thriller made with an entirely women and non-binary cast and crew, as well as the comedy-drama LES FAILLITES D'ASTRID, a series currently in production with Radio-Canada. Recently, Elena was selected to pitch her feature AFTER THE END at the Frontières co-production market at Fantasia Film Festival this summer.
NIPPICH SUPPASIRIPOKA DIRECTOR
Nippich Suppasiripoka is a Thai filmmaker currently based in New York and Bangkok. He graduated with a BFA in Visual Media Arts from Emerson College in 2023. His short film AppeThai won Best Film at the 2022 Student & Young Artists FEEDBACK Festival and was nominated for the Audience Choice Award at the 2022 Los Angeles Asian Film Awards.
He was recently selected for mentorship with the American Society of Cinematographers under some of the most accomplished DOPs working today.
ISABELLA FUSCO DIRECTOR
Isabella Fusco is an Italian Brazilian screenwriter and film director from Brazil, based in Lisbon. She has a B.A. in Film and a M.A. in Film Narratives. She directed the short film Bloom. Her new short film, Archaeology of Dreams, is in financing. She was selected for the Pitching Forum - FEST New Directors | New Films Festival with her feature film project, Winter Flowers, developed with Bruno Pinheiro Melim. For the RIFF Talent Laboratory, she is applying as a team with Bruno Pinheiro Melim.
JOSHUA WARREN DIRECTOR
Joshua is a BFI funded and award winning director from the midlands. While living in Leeds his house got burgled and all that was taken were two boxsets; Michael Haneke Collection and Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series. That should tell you all you need to know. At the minute his work focusses on terror and esotericism.
His films have been selected to screen at FrighFest, Sitges, Dead Northern, Octopus and Sydney Indie Short Film Festival. Named semifinalist for HIGA, quarter finalist
BRUNO PINHEIRO MELIM DIRECTOR
Bruno Pinheiro Melim is a Portuguese Brazilian filmmaker and screenwriter, he has a B.A in Film and a M.A in Film Narratives. He directed the short films Ovo (2017) and Pivete (2024). His new short film, Archaeology of Dreams, is in financing. Bruno was selected for the Pitching Forum - FEST - New Directors | New Films Festival with his feature film project, Winter Flowers, developed with Isabella Fusco. For the RIFF Talent Laboratory, he is applying as a team with Isabella Fusco.
PROGRAM
QUAMÉ HAMLIN DIRECTOR
Quamé Hamlin is a creative director and filmmaker. He is a Cine Qua Non fellow, PAGE Awards finalist, and SHOWTIME Tony Cox Screenplay Competition finalist. His work has been recognized internationally, screened at multiple Academy Award-qualifying festivals, and was recently featured in the Emmy® winning app, Scriptation. His latest film, Recovery Chain, premiered at HBO’s Urbanworld and was selected as a finalist for the HBO Short Film Award at the American Black Film Festival.
DYLAN DUFF
DIRECTOR
wSHORTS have screened at international festivals such as Dances with Films LA, and AIFF Kids. 'PHOBIA' is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Canadian Screen Award qualifying, 'TERRY' stars 'WOMEN TALKING's Kira Guloien. Dylan worked with Universal Music to produce The Tragically Hip’s most viewed music video in nearly a decade, and he graduated with a BFA from Toronto Metropolitan University’s worldrenowned film program, where he was awarded the Harvey Hart Director’s Award.
ELITSA MARIELLE DIRECTOR
Elitsa Marielle is a French-Bulgarian filmmaker based in London. Her work often explores themes of cultural identity, marginality, and human connection. She holds a Master’s degree in Directing and Cinematography from the London Film School.
Her graduation film, Outside of Time, had its World Premiere at EnergaCamerimage 2024 and was also selected for the International Children's Film Festival Cinemira. Elitsa is currently developing two feature films and seeking funding for her next short.
TALENT LAB
JEREMY MCCRACKEN DIRECTOR
Jeremy McCracken is a Toronto-based writer/ director with a background in editing and a deep interest in character-driven stories. His work explores themes of nostalgia, memory, and intergenerational relationships. He is currently developing his debut feature Since You’re Here, an intimate comedic drama about an estranged family reuniting for their father’s medically assisted death.
JUSTIN ZORAS DIRECTOR
ANA PIO DIRECTOR
Ana Pio is a film director based in the UK. Ana was mentored by Rose Glass, the director of 'Saint Maud' and 'Love Lies Bleeding', through the Directors UK Inspire programme, and has been a BAFTA Crew/Connect member since 2019. Ana recently directed short films ‘PMS’, ‘Do As I Say’ and ‘7 to 10’, which were nominated and won awards at BAFTA and BIFA film festivals. IN 2025, Ana was selected to pitch her debut feature 'Mother Nature' at the co-production JETS Initiative during the 75th Berlinale.
RITA HEER DIRECTOR
Rita Heer is a graduate of Film Studies as well as in Geography & Gender Studies. Her previous films as a writer and actor have also screened at fiapf accredited MAMI festival in Mumbai, UK Asian Film Festival, FilmColumbia, Lift Off Los Angeles, IndieMeme & Edinburgh Asian Film Festival. Rita is also an acting coach and worked on the International Emmy nominated series Aarya season 1. Rita has written and directed her first short film, Abja & Her Pickled Eggs, awaiting a film festival premiere.
Justin Zoras is a Toronto-based Director and Co-Executive Producer with a proven track record of leading high-profile unscripted series and delivering story-driven content that resonates. With over 15 years in the industry, he is known for his ability to craft compelling narratives, manage large-scale productions, and guide creative teams with vision and precision. notably, Justin played a key leadership role in the long-running global hit The Curse of Oak Island on HISTORY.
MICHAL ĎURIŠ DIRECTOR
Film director, and director of photography with worldview shaped by background in nonprofit, humanitarian organizations and theater. I specialize in artistically ambitious, author-driven films and am passionate about using cinema as a poetic tool for social advocacy that inspires change. With my work i aim to foster dialogue among people from different backgrounds, nurturing deeper mutual understanding and tolerance.
CATE CHRISTIANSEN DIRECTOR
Cate Christiansen is a filmmaker and movement artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Founder of FUN PARTY LLC, she has produced over a dozen short films and music videos, across the US and internationally. Her directorial debut SPIDER will premiere in 2025.
AYAAL ADAMOV DIRECTOR
A filmmaker from the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), a remote region in Northeast Siberia. He studied directing under Alexander Sokurov in St. Petersburg and joined Werner Herzog’s workshop in Spain. His short films screened at festivals: Busan, Vienna Shorts, Go Short, imagineNATIVE, and Reykjavík IFF. In 2025, he was selected for Locarno’s BaseCamp and IDFAcademy. He is currently developing his first feature documentary The Road of Bones, supported by the IDFA Bertha Fund and IDFA Project Space.
THE TALENT LAB TEAM
HRAFNKELL STEFÁNSSON ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
MICHELLE PRÖSTLER PROJECT COORDINATOR
SOCIAL MEDIA
FACEBOOK facebook.com/rvkfilmfest
INSTAGRAMM instagram.com/reykjavikfilmfestival
TIKTOK
tiktok.com/@reykjavikiff?lang=en
WHAT TO PACK
Be sure to bring sturdy shoes and warm, windand-rain-resistant clothing for Iceland’s cold climate. Pack swimwear, as outdoor swimming pools, saunas, steam baths, and hot tubs are a big part of Icelandic culture. Don’t forget a laptop for your masterclasses and smart clothes for the closing ceremony and other events.
GETTING AROUND
WEATHER
The weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for sunshine, rain, and lots of rainbows! You can check the weather forecast (and the Northern Lights forecast!) here: https://www.vedur.is/
Reykjavik is a small city, and most places are within walking distance.
SCOOTERS
Did you bring your helmet? RIFF offers its staff and Talent Lab participants 30 minutes of FREE RIDES with our partners at HOPP scooter rental.
DOWNLOAD here ONCE per participant:
BUS
The Reykjavik city bus, Stræto, is another convenient way to get around. You can buy tickets through the Klapp app, with credit card or cash on the bus (note that drivers don’t carry change), or from various vendors. We recommend downloading the apps before you arrive. Each ticket costs 670 ISK.
https://www.straeto.is/ and
https://www.klappid.is/en
TAXI
24-hour taxi service available in Reykjavik. HREYFILL
Tel: +354 588 5522 or via their app.
ACCREDITATION & TICKETS
Have free time? Your accreditation includes a RIFF Festival Pass, which grants access to any regular film screening, even those not in your Talent Lab schedule. You should have received your pass information already, but contact us with any questions. Book tickets here: https://riff.is/
FOOD & DRINK
Breakfast is included for participants staying at Natura Hotel and is served between 07:00 and 10:00.
Food trucks will be parked outside Háskólabíó during cinema hours, so grab dinner there. You can also buy discounted drinks and snacks at the Háskólabíó concession stand.
Thinking of buying bottled water? Iceland has some of the purest water in the world—straight from the tap, even from the bathroom sink!
BENEFITS FOR FESTIVAL PASS, PUNCH CARD, AND SINGLE TICKET HOLDERS:
- 20% discount at Geiri Smart Restaurant*
- Burger & beer for ISK 3,500 or burger & non-alcoholic beer/soft drink for ISK 2,900 at Slippbarinn*
- RIFF cocktails: 75 Puffins for ISK 2,200 and Negroni for ISK 2,200*
*Offers valid during the festival upon presentation of a festival pass, punch card, or ticket. Not valid with Happy Hour prices or other promotions.
