A smiling group of cinema guests watched the timeless romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… at the Hafnarfjörður Swimming Pool last Thursday. The Swim-in marked the beginning of the Winter Festival 2026 in Hafnarfjörður and attracted well-deserved attention, both from the public and the media, as the event was completely sold out.
Film screenings in swimming pools in the capital area have been a regular part of the Reykjavík International Film Festival’s activities almost from the very beginning, as swimming pool culture is an indispensable part of Icelandic national life and culture. Likewise, Icelanders have always been enthusiastic film lovers, making it a natural fit to weave these two traditions together in this enjoyable way.
Many memorable films have been made even more unforgettable through the experience of watching them in one of Reykjavík’s and the surrounding area’s swimming pools. Among the films that have been screened to great acclaim are Some Like It Hot, The NeverEnding Story, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Life of Pi, Jaws and The Truman Show.
In addition to the screening of When Harry Met Sally… the Swim-in featured live jazz music in the spirit of the film, performed by the jazz trio Búbblubandið. Actors Bjarni Kristbjörnsson and Gúa Margrét Bjarnadóttir stepped into the roles of Harry and Sally, mingling throughout the unique premises of the Hafnarfjörður Swimming Pool, while dancers performed graceful steps on the poolside. All of this came together to create a unique atmosphere that truly resonated with the audience.
RIFF thanks the Hafnarfjörður Marketing Office and the staff of the swimming pool for excellent collaboration, and Luxor for outstanding technical management as always. We also thank Góa and Ölgerðin for providing guests with welcome refreshments during the screening. Last but not least, we thank the audience who filled the venue and created an unforgettable cinema experience with us.
We are already planning our next special event — stay tuned!
