The curtain rises on Thursday, September 26th, marking the start of the 21st Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF), Iceland’s most significant annual film event. This year’s festival boasts an impressive lineup of screenings, events, and celebrated guests, all converging in the Icelandic capital.
RIFF’s core focus is undeniably on independent, pioneering cinema, with emerging filmmakers taking center stage. This is particularly evident in the festival’s ‘New Visions’ section, where up-and-coming directors present their first or second feature films, competing for the coveted Golden Puffin award. These rising talents share the spotlight with industry giants, who will grace the festival with their presence, either in person or virtually.
This year’s esteemed guests include actress Nastassja Kinski, famed for her roles in Roman Polanski’s 1979 masterpiece *Tess* and Wim Wenders’ 1984 neo-western *Paris, Texas*, the latter of which will be screened at RIFF alongside Paul Schrader’s 1982 *Cat People*, followed by a masterclass led by Kinski herself. Renowned director Bong Joon-ho, known for his Oscar-winning 2019 film *Parasite*, will engage with Icelandic audiences in a discussion following screenings of his earlier works, *Mother* (2009) and *The Host* (2006). Additionally, Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari, a co-producer on three films with Oscar-nominated, BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos, will bring three of her own films to the Icelandic screen, including her 2024 drama *The Sun* (working title).
Each year, RIFF dedicates a section of its programming to a specific country. This year, Sweden takes the spotlight, featuring films such as Frida Kempff’s 2024 film *The Swimmers*, set just before World War II and focusing on the first Scandinavian to swim the English Channel. The festival also includes a curated selection of Swedish short films.
Beyond showcasing international cinema, RIFF aims to foster connections between the Icelandic film industry and the global filmmaking community. This vision is embodied in the ‘Icelandic Panorama’ section, dedicated to the best of new independent Icelandic cinema. The section features films like Pascal Payant’s 2024 family drama *The Shepherd* and Heimir Freyr Hlöðversson’s 2024 documentary *Flight of the Falcon*, which follows Iceland’s first professional bird photographer.
While RIFF attracts cinema enthusiasts for its screenings, its Industry Days, running from October 2nd to 6th, invites film professionals to engage in conversations on diverse topics ranging from costume design and marketing to distribution and makeup artistry. But it’s not just cinephiles who will be enthralled by the festival’s program – foodies are in for a treat as well. The 2024 festival features beloved staples like the ever-popular drive-in cinema, but also intriguing filmic-gastronomic collaborations. One highlight is a special screening of Alfonso Arau’s 1992 film *Like Water for Chocolate* paired with a unique menu crafted by the vegetarian restaurant Sónó Matseljur. Another is a cheese and wine tasting accompanying the screening of the cheese-focused documentary *The Cheese* (Ian Cheney, 2024).
In essence, RIFF is a feast for the senses, a celebration of cinema and its diverse connections to other facets of life. “At RIFF, we are thrilled to present our international and local guests with a broad selection of films from around the world,” said RIFF director Hrönn Marinósdóttir to Euronews Culture. “We also provide them with a platform for the industry to come together, connect, and enjoy each other’s company.” She added, “This year, I’m particularly excited to welcome our honorary guests, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Jonas Åkerlund, and Nastassja Kinski. It’s a privilege to screen their work, offer masterclasses and Q&As, and, of course, to sit down and enjoy their films!
