… nearly a hundred applied for …
The selection of Icelandic short films that will be screened at this year's Reykjavík International Film Festival has never been larger, as more people have applied to be included in the festival than this year, or almost a hundred works, which testifies to the incredible growth of the industry in this country.
The festival begins at Háskólabíó on September 26th and runs until October 6th.
Feature films, experimental films and documentaries will be shown in the short film categories – and each category will be shown at a different pace. For example, it will take viewers an hour and a half to see all the feature films in one sitting, but they range in length from seven minutes to almost half an hour, which is about the length of a regular movie.
"...all are a testament to the power of short filmmaking..."
This year's short films are 25 in number and are as diverse in subject matter as they are numerous, but all are a testament to the power of short filmmaking in Iceland – and the immense creativity it brings.
I
Annalisa Hermannsdottir shows us Hidden which tells the story of Vigdís, a manager at a law firm, and one morning in her life that takes place in a dystopian alternate reality.
Gunnjon Gestsson has the work Gusti the Strong and the Revenge of the Sea which tells the story of two sailors who find themselves in the clutches of a terrifying sea creature.
Hjordis Johannsdottir arrives with The bride, but she is Estonian and unexpectedly gets hit with an unpleasant language on the day she is going to marry her Icelandic man.
In a short film Katla Sólnes which is named Weather rules the field, but wisdom rules the seed., Hera must decide whether her dilapidated house by the sea can withstand the pressure any longer.
Kolbeinn Gauti Friðriksson brings us the picture Taste which takes place in a taste-testing company and revolves around a boss who inspires his employee to greatness.
Nicholas Tumi director The blue boy which tells the story of a young house painter who ends up at the home of a charming couple he met by chance outside a nightclub.
Oddur S. Hilmarsson introduces us House for sale where a real estate agent finds himself in the dilemma of barely being able to sell his own house, let alone another.
And finally says Sölmundur Isaac tells us the story of Mikaela, who has decided to lose her virginity while studying abroad, but the film is called Loss of virginity.
II
In Grandma's coffee After Adam Emil Ríkharðsson and Nói Þrastar, two friends end up at a gas station in a series of incidents that lead them to think about a rather serious theft.
Here, poet Andri Snær Magnason examines melting glaciers and exchanges statistics for a personal approach, in a film by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee and Adam Lopen, The last ice age.
Flowers in the bone is the story of Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir about a woman who throws her musical instrument into the abyss, but then only love and the desire to create show her the way.
We are world premiering the film. Stronger by Natalia Mayling Pachero, which is about reunions and connections – and Hilda, who does everything she can to survive after her father falls ill.
Aephie Chen and Ingvar Haukur Guðmundsson show Mom but there the eight-year-olds among the indigenous people of Taiwan go looking for Mayaw as he lives in his later years in the gray mold of London.
III
Ægis Zita arrives with the picture Daenerys for lambs and gods which of course deals with lambs and gods who feed on sacrifices, disrespect, obedience, piety, joy, wonder and each other!
Mode switching is a film by Pétur Jónsson and takes place in an unforeseen future when the glaciers have disappeared from the surface of the earth, all as one, and the survivors are tempted to revive them.
Tumi Gonzo Björnsson tells the story of the mess Geir in his film, Culture and arts, but he works at an art museum where he meets the withdrawn Hörður who dreams of becoming an artist.
King is the name of the latest music video by Icelandic artist Brikcs, directed by Vasco Alexander, which was filmed in an art museum and delves into the complexity of the human being.
In the film by Simone Hart and Jón G. Geirfinnsson, Termination, sheds light on Inga Birgitta Spur, who has dedicated her life to preserving the artwork of her late husband, Sigurjón Ólafsson.
Icelandic student short films are as follows:
Cloud cities by Magdalena Ólafsdóttir
In the prime of life by Vigdís Ósk Howser Harðardóttir
After the rain by Michelle Prostler
Sleepwalker by Alfred Hrafn Magnusson
A real guy by Salvor Bergmann
Game over by Salvor Bergmann
Who is Alvar? by Anna Maria Joakimsdóttir-Hutur
There is certainly no shortage of choice this year!
