WORK-IN-PROGRESS SHOWCASE

In partnership with the Icelandic Film Centre, this showcase highlights standout film and television projects from Iceland and across the Nordic region. Filmmakers present their work to a room of producers, festival programmers, sales agents, and other key industry figures. One-to-one meetings follow the sessions, providing an opportunity for deeper discussion and potential new partnerships.

PANELS & ROUNDTABLES

This year’s lineup includes open conversations around timely topics and practical challenges. Confirmed sessions include:

Co-Producing with the Nordics — Producers share strategies for financing and collaborating across borders.

Framing Film: How Critics and Programmers Shape Cinema Culture — A conversation on the power of curation, selection, and interpretation.

Women in Film: Breaking Barriers & Rewriting Narratives — Marking the 50th anniversary of Iceland’s Women’s Strike, this panel looks at change, resistance, and representation across the industry.

IMPACT TALKS

Following selected screenings in the A Different Tomorrow program , these informal conversations bring filmmakers, specialists, and audiences together to talk through the environmental and social themes raised on screen.

RIFF TALKS (RIFF TALKS)

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.

MASTERCLASSES

Masterclasses are special sessions led by guest filmmakers. Confirmed for 2025 is Anton Corbijn, one of the most influential visual artists of our time, and Iranian cinema icon Mohsen Makhmalbaf, with more names to follow. These sessions offer a rare opportunity for close-up dialogue with some of world cinema’s most compelling voices, and a space for insight and personal connection in an intimate setting.

MIXERS & RECEPTIONS

RIFF’s social program opens the floor for conversations to continue beyond the panels. Mixers and receptions provide an opportunity to meet, share ideas, and build connections in a more relaxed setting. We want every guest to leave feeling they’ve met the right people, and we’re happy to help make those introductions. Details on social events will be shared closer to the festival.

THE INDUSTRY TRIP

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. A limited number of additional spots are available for a participation fee. To request more information, email production@riff.is.

Young Nordic Voices Think Tank

This RIFF-led initiative brings together 12–15 Iceland-based creatives (ages 18–30) for a day of honest, peer-led dialogue. The theme for 2025 is “The Invisible Middle: Not a Student, Not a Pro — Now What?”, exploring what it means to work in film without formal backing or clear paths. The first half of the session is closed-door and collaborative. Later, invited guests—producers, directors, sales agents, and programmers—join the group for a participatory discussion. This isn’t a panel, it’s a chance to ask questions, trade insights, and talk across generations. RIFF is deeply committed to creating space for emerging voices. We truly believe that young filmmakers deserve to be heard as they shape the future of film.

COUNTRY IN FOCUS

Each year, RIFF invites a spotlight country to share its cinematic landscape. The program includes dedicated screenings, panels, and professional meetups, culminating in a co-hosted Industry Reception. It’s an opportunity for Icelandic and Nordic guests to discover new collaborators, co-production potential, and creative perspectives. The Country in Focus for 2025 will be announced soon.

RIFF AS A NORDIC HUB

Reykjavík is becoming an essential meeting point for filmmakers across the North. Each year, RIFF brings together creatives from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland, alongside guests from the broader Arctic and international film communities.The festival champions regional storytelling and strengthens the professional ties that support it through curated industry programming, shared experiences, and a commitment to long-term collaboration. As a member of the Arctic Film Festival Alliance, a growing network of festivals spanning the Nordic region, Canada, and Alaska, RIFF continues to amplify voices from the North and connect them with the global stage.

We’re here to make meaningful connections happen. Join us this fall at RIFF Industry Days!