INDUSTRY DAYS
29. September — 3. October 2026
INDUSTRY DAYS
29. September — 3. October 2026
Bransadagar RIFF tengja saman kvikmyndagerðarfólk, framleiðendur, dagskrárstjóra, gagnrýnendur og aðra sérfræðinga frá öllum kimum kvikmynda- og sjónvarpsgeirans. Dagskráin fer fram dagana 29. september til 3. október 2026 og býður upp á fjölbreytta blöndu af pallborðs- og hringborðsumræðum, fyrirlestrum, sýningum, meistaranámskeiðum og tengslamyndunarviðburðum.
The goal is simple: to create real opportunities for connection between Iceland’s creative industry and the global community. Whether you’re developing a project, searching for collaborators, or curious about emerging trends, Industry Days offer space to meet, reflect, and exchange ideas.
Over the years, RIFF has welcomed a wide range of internationally respected guests—including Miloš Forman, Jim Jarmusch, and Mads Mikkelsen—who have helped shape the festival’s identity as a home for bold, original, and independent cinema.
INDUSTRY ACCREDITATION
BASIC
Included in the BASIC Industry Accreditation is:
- Panel discussions
- Masterclasses with the festival's honorary guests
- Impact panels: In-depth panel discussions held after all screenings of films in the "A Different Tomorrow" category.
- RIFF talks: In the spirit of TED talks, RIFF talks offer insight into the work of industry experts who share advice on how to gain a foothold in the industry.
Note: Admission to film screenings (Impact Talk screenings excluded) and special events is not included with the pass.
FULL
Included in the FULL Industry Accreditation is:
- Festival Pass: Access to all film screenings
- Panel discussions
- Masterclasses with the festival's honorary guests
- Impact Panels: In-depth panel discussions held after all screenings of films in the “A Different Tomorrow” category
- RIFF talks: In the spirit of TED talks, RIFF talks offer insight into the work of industry experts who share advice on how to gain a foothold in the industry.
Note: Admission to special events is not included with the pass.
FULL FILM STUDENT
Included in the FULL FILM STUDENT Industry Accreditation is:
- Festival Pass: Access to all film screenings
- Panel discussions
- Masterclasses with the festival's honorary guests
- Impact Panels: In-depth panel discussions held after all screenings of films in the "A Different Tomorrow" category.
- RIFF talks: In the spirit of TED talks, RIFF talks offer insight into the work of industry experts who share advice on how to gain a foothold in the industry.
Note: Admission to special events is not included with the pass.
PRESS
Included in the PRESS Industry Accreditation is:
- Festival Pass: Access to all film screenings
- Panel discussions
- Masterclasses with the festival's honorary guests
- Impact Panels: In-depth panel discussions held after all screenings of films in the "A Different Tomorrow" category.
- RIFF talks: In the spirit of TED talks, RIFF talks offer insight into the work of industry experts who share advice on how to gain a foothold in the industry.
Note: This pass is only intended for media personnel who plan to cover the festival. Please note that application does not guarantee a pass.
PANELS, MASTERCLASSES & TALKS
Industry Days brings together some of the most compelling voices in contemporary cinema in an intimate setting designed for genuine exchange. Across five days, the programme moves between carefully curated panels, rare masterclass moments, and post-screening discussions - creating close contact with world cinema's most significant figures and making them genuinely approachable. This is cinema's most important voices speaking directly, without distance or hierarchy.
Panels & Roundtables
Each year, Industry Days convenes conversations around the most pressing topics shaping contemporary cinema and the industry itself. The panel selection always reflects urgent questions in film today - from sustainability and digital transformation to new financing models and artistic risk-taking - and is grounded in the concerns of the Nordic and Icelandic film communities.
Sessions bring together filmmakers, producers, critics, programmers, and industry specialists in an intimate room where the conversation is always open. Past sessions have explored co-production across the Nordics, the role of critics and programmers in shaping cinema culture, the impact of AI on the film industry, and the importance of sustainable production. Stay tuned for the 2026 program!
Masterclasses
Masterclasses offer rare, intimate access to some of world cinema's most significant figures. Each session is a conversation, not a lecture, ensuring genuine exchange. Previous guests have included Miloš Forman, Jim Jarmusch, Mads Mikkelsen, Isabelle Huppert, Anton Corbijn, and Mohsen Makhmalbaf. The masterclass programme for 2026 will be announced alongside the festival's honorary guests.
Impact Talks
Following selected screenings, Impact Talks bring together Icelandic experts and audiences to dig into how the films on screen engage with questions of social and political change. Moderated discussions explore the dynamics between cinema and society - how films reflect, challenge, and shape our understanding of the world. Informal, grounded in the just-seen film, and always intimate, these conversations remind us why cinema matters beyond entertainment. Past Impact Talks have featured acclaimed and award-winning filmmakers - including recent Oscar winner David Borenstein (Mr. Nobody Against Putin). These conversations create space for audiences to engage directly with both artists and experts on the most pressing issues of our time.
RIFF TALKS
Inspired by the TED Talk format, this series features short presentations by emerging filmmakers and young 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.
NETWORKING & SOCIAL
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.
DEVELOPMENT LABS
Intensive programmes supporting emerging creative voices. This year includes the Work in Progress Showcase (for projects seeking co-producers), curated by Frédéric Boyer [LINK: hyperlink to subpage], the Arctic Script Lab (for Nordic and Arctic screenwriters) [LINK: hyperlink to subpage], and the Young Nordic Voices Think Tank (a participatory forum for emerging filmmakers) [LINK: hyperlink to subpage],,. → Learn more about each programme under each link
COUNTRY IN FOCUS
Each year, RIFF invites a spotlight country to share its cinematic landscape. The program includes dedicated screenings, panels, and professional meetups, and an exciting, 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 2026 will be announced soon.
Our goal is to make meaningful connections. Join RIFF Industry Days this fall!