In 2024, Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) launched the inaugural edition of Young Nordic Voices – Think Tank, bringing together a group of emerging Nordic creatives to reflect on the changing realities of filmmaking today. The session sparked wide-ranging and necessary conversations, from sustainability and AI to access and inclusion, giving young professionals space to voice their experiences, concerns, and hopes for the future of cinema.

In 2025, Young Nordic Voices returns in a more focused and locally grounded format. This year’s edition invites 12–15 Iceland-based participants (ages 18–30) for a one-day working session designed to give emerging creatives a seat at the table during RIFF Industry Days. RIFF stendur.

Held at the Nordic House, the Think Tank offers a collaborative space for defining what Icelandic filmmaking can become. It’s not a lecture or a panel—it’s a roundtable conversation. A space to speak openly, ask questions, exchange experiences, and connect with peers and mentors in a supportive, informal setting.

The session will begin with an open roundtable on the theme “The Invisible Middle: Not a Student, Not a Pro — Now What?” Together, participants will talk about the realities of being in this in-between stage—whether as students preparing to enter the field, young people just starting out, or film lovers who want to work in cinema but aren’t sure how. The conversation will surface the challenges of breaking in, the lack of clear pathways or support, and the questions that often go unspoken. It’s a chance to reflect on what’s missing and share ideas for how the Icelandic film community can better support its next generation.

In the second part of the session, invited guests from the Icelandic and Nordic film industry—including a producer, director, sales agent, and festival programmer—will join the group for an open, participatory session. Rather than a traditional panel, this part of the Think Tank will offer a chance for real conversation: mentors will share insights from their own journeys, offer tips and encouragement, and engage directly with participants’ questions, feedback, and ideas.

We believe that inclusion and visibility are essential for the future of film—and that young voices deserve to be heard. This program is designed to support emerging creatives who are navigating the early stages of their careers and looking for space to grow, connect, and be part of the industry conversation.