International Women's Day was last Friday, March 8, 2024. However, the fight for equality continues every day of the year.
On this day, it is worth pausing to remember the hardworking and courageous women who paved the way for those who came after. We also want to remind you of the importance of keeping the discussion about equality alive, as such human rights are not taken for granted.
Iceland has often been described as a paradise for equality, yet recent research shows that the gender gap in creative industries and filmmaking is considerable and in many places there is still a long way to go. Despite this, good things are happening and Icelandic female filmmakers and actors are making great strides.
Girls film!
RIFF wants to contribute to equality in the industry, among other things, by overseeing the initiative 'Stelpur filma!' (Girls Film) which acts as an international model of 'Stelpur Rokka!' (Girls Rock) of the organisations that have been running in this country for decades. 'Stelpur filma!' has benefited from the team of exceptional talented women who have worked hard to promote a new generation of girls and queer youth, to the stars of the industry.
Women's Strike
The year 1975 was historic in the Icelandic human rights struggle, when Icelandic women stopped working and attended a protest meeting where they demanded rights, better wages, and respect. The reverberations of this event have been felt over the decades and on October 24, 2023, a women's strike was called again with a record amount of protesters.
The movie The film The Day that Iceland Stood Still (2023) by Pamela Hogan recounts these events in an amazing way. The film was screened at RIFF 2023. by Pamela Hogan tells these events in an amazing way. The film was screened at RIFF 2023.
Go girls!
