RIFF 2022 - TALENT LAB BROCHURE

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

CONTENT

WELCOME

VENUES & RECEPTIONS

SOCIAL EVENTS & SCREENINGS

INTRO BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

PITCH PANEL

TALENT LAB MASTERCLASSES

WELCOME

Velkominn til Reykjavíkur!

We are thrilled to have you as participants of the 19th edition of the Reykjavik International Film Festival. We hope that you will make the best out of the masterclasses, panels, talks and networking events.

RIFF TALENT LAB

RIFF Talent Lab is a special section of our festival, addressed to up and coming film directors, writers and actors who are working on their first feature film.

Participants of the Talent Lab will have the opportunity to make first-hand contact with film producers and other professionals for help and consulting on their first feature film, as well as meet up with other like-minded individuals of various backgrounds from around the world. This year’s

THE GOLDEN EGG

Participants also have the opportunity to submit their short films to The Golden Egg competition. The submitted films pass through our selection committee and the ones who make the cut, are screened at the festival’s official program and compete for the Golden Egg award.

THE PROCESS

The threefold motto of the Reykjavík International Film Festival (Innovation – Networking – Dialogue) is perfectly manifested in the activities of the Talent Lab. The lab highlights and promotes the innovative works of young filmmakers and fosters as well as facilitates the net-

THE PROGRAM

The program of RIFF Talent Lab is different every year, but always consists of an exciting combination of masterclasses, panels, workshops, screenings and entertainment.

MOVIE SCREENING AND Q&A 11

GOLDEN EGG JURY 12

INDUSTRY MASTERCLASSES 13

RIFF TALKS 15

PRACTICAL INFORMATION 17

TALENT LAB PARTICIPANTS 18

This brochure will provide you with information about the Talent Lab program and practical information regarding your stay in Iceland.

Talent Lab will run from the 4th until the 8th of October 2022.

Four action-packed days during which they will participate in master classes and discussions with well-established names in the film industry. Education and entertainment will go hand in hand. The schedule is packed with great films, workshops, events and seminars.

working necessary to promote their work to buyers and distributors. Further, the attendees gain the opportunity to participate in dialogue and exchange ideas and thoughts with young people from across the world.

Additionally, the participants of the 2022 RIFF Talent Lab will get guidance on how to promote their works in the international market by holding pitching sessions. This year’s Talent Lab will host 33 participants from 13 different nationalities all over the globe.

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

VENUES

1. Kex Hostel / Talent Lab Hub

2. Háskólabíó / University Cinema

3. Ráðhúsið / City Hall of Reykjavik

4 . Hús Máls & Menningar

Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík Hagatorg, 107 Reykjavík

Tjarnargata 11, 101 Reykjavík Laugavegur 18, 101 Reykjavík

RECEPTIONS

PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION - IN HONOR OF ROSSY DE PALMA

Venue: Bessastaðir

Date: Wednesday 5th October

Time: 17:00-20:00

PRODUCERS’ RECEPTION

Venue: RVK Studios

Date: Thursday 6th October

Time: 17:00-19:00

INDUSTRY CLOSING DRINKS

Venue: Hús Máls & Menningar

Date: Friday 7th October Time: 19:00-20:00

SOCIAL EVENTS AND SCREENINGS

MEET AND GREET TALENT LAB// KICK OFF PARTY

Venue: KEX Hostel

Date: Tuesday 4th October Time: 16:30-18:00

WALKING TOUR WITH BALDVIN ALBERTSSON

Venue: Reykjavik Downtown Date: Wednesday 5th October Time: 15:00-16:30

SCREENING-GOLDEN EGG PROGRAM 1&2+Q/A

Venue: Háskólabíó 4

Date: Wednesday 5th October Time: 17:45 & 20:15

Venue: Reykjanes Peninsula

Date: Friday 7th October Time: 10:00-14:00

CLOSING CEREMONY

Venue: Háskólabíó

Date: Saturday 8th October Time: 19:00-00:00

Venue: Háskólabíó 4

Date: Thursday 6th October Time: 20:00-23:00

SCREENING-GOLDEN EGG PROGRAM 1&OPEN SCREEN NIGHT INDUSTRY TRIP

ICELANDIC FILMMAKER SOCIAL NIGHT

Venue: Hús Máls & Menningar Date: Friday 7th October Time: 20:30 - 22:30

EVENTS AND

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

INTRODUCTION BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Venue: KEX HOSTEL

Date: Wednesday 5th of October

Time: 09:00-09:30

Dear Talent Labbers,

I am extremely excited to be welcoming you to Reykjavík to take part in this year’s RIFF Talent Lab. My name is Eva Sigurðardóttir, and I am this year’s Talent Lab Creative Director. We have put together a super exciting week for you; interesting events and talks from prominent filmmakers and film industry professionals, both local talents and international guests. Many of the talks and events are organized and exclusive for the Talent Lab participants, but we will be also attending some RIFF Industry Talks of special interest and partake in some more social events, both with local talents and other festival guests. Just like every year, we will have a special Talent Lab screening of a recent Icelandic film. This year we will be watching Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson’s 2022 film “Berdreymi”, where you will have a chance to engage in an intimate Q&A with the creative team after the screening. We will also join the Industry trip around Reykjanes peninsula, where you will get a chance to see some of the wonders of Icelandic nature, as well as some great filming locations. On our last day we are planning to unwind at a local swimming pool, which is a very Icelandic activity, so make sure to bring your swimming suit!

I really look forward to meeting you all and to spend some inspirational and fun few days together.

All the best, Eva Sigurðardóttir

EVA SIGURÐARDÓTTIR

Eva Sigurðardóttir is a writer, director and producer, who has worked in Iceland and the UK. Her credits include the Icelandic TV Series “Fractures” and various short films that have received a BAFTA nomination and two Icelandic Academy Awards, among others. She has worked as a line producer on the awardwinning films “Rams” and “And Breathe Normally” and produced the feature “The Deposit”. Eva also teaches at the Icelandic Film School, she is the Festival Producer of RIFF 2O22 and the Artistic Director of this year’s Talent Lab.

THE ART OF PITCH

Venue: KEX HOSTEL

Date: Wednesday 5th of October

Time: 09:30-10:30

A session dedicated to the art of the pitch where Eva will give some pointers and advice on how to structure a successful pitch. You will then have the opportunity to pitch your projects in front of a panel of professionals towards the end of the lab – so come prepared with your projects! Not everyone is required to pitch, but if you are interested in doing so we will ask you to register after the pitch workshop on the first day.

Venue: Háskólabíó 5

Date: Friday 7th of October

Time: 12:30-16:30

In this workshop, talent lab participants have the opportunity to present their ideas and upcoming projects to film professionals and receive valuable feedback from them.

DYVEKE BJØRKLY GRAVER

Dyveke Bjørkly Graver worked at Cinenord between 2009 and 2017, where she produced and co-produced 8 feature films and worked with several tv-series. In 2017 she started as a producer at Oslo Pictures, and during the fall of 2019, became CEO of the company. In Oslo Pictures she has executive produced “The Worst Person in the World”, which premiered in Cannes Competition in 2021. The film won the Best Actress award in Cannes and was later nominated for two Oscars.

TORFINNUR JÁKUPSSON

Torfinnur Jákupsson is a Faroese screenwriter, showrunner and executive producer with a background in journalism and music. He is also CEO of GRÓ Studios, the first studio of its kind in the Faroe Islands. Represented by Danske Dramatikere and Swedish boutique agency Albatros, Torfinnur is the creator and head writer of the first ever Faroese TV drama series, award-winning eco-crime thriller TROM, shown on Viaplay, DR, BBC, ZDF/ Arte, AMC+ and SBS among others.

BALDVIN ZOPHONÍASSON

Baldvin Z has been one of the most prominent writers/directors in Iceland. Delivering two feature films and two television series with over 40 film awards, both international as well as 18 Edda awards (Icelandic Film and Television Academy Award). Last year, he finished directing Island Songs for Universal Studios and Beyond Strength, an independent documentary. He recently released his third feature “Let Me Fall” at Toronto Film Festival, which has been met with universal praise.

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

FINDING THE RIGHT PRODUCER

Venue: KEX HOSTEL

Date: Wednesday 5th of October

Time: 11:00-12:30

ANTON MÁNI SVANSSON

Anton Máni Svansson co-founded Join Motion Pictures in 2007 with the ambition to forge close working relationships with upcoming writer-director talents. Over the last 15 years, he has worked as a producer and CEO of the company, and his productions have sold worldwide and been selected for many of the most prestigious film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, San Sebastian, Locarno, Karlovy Vary, BFI, IDFA, Telluride, and Toronto. These films have collected around 200 awards and many nominations.

BALDVIN ZOPHONÍASSON

Baldvin Z has been one of the most prominent writers/directors in Iceland. Delivering two feature films and two television series with over 40 film awards, both international as well as 18 Edda awards (Icelandic Film and Television Academy Award). Last year, he finished directing Island Songs for Universal Studios and Beyond Strength, an independent documentary. He recently released his third feature “Let Me Fall” at Toronto Film Festival, which has been met with universal praise.

WORKING WITH ACTORS AND NON-ACTORS

Venue: KEX HOSTEL

Date: Thursday 6th of October

Time: 09:00-10:30

BENEDIKT ERLINGSSON

Benedikt Erlingsson is one of the most successful stage directors of the last decade in Iceland and has several times been awarded for his work both as a director, author and actor. As an actor he has played number of roles on the stages of the Icelandic theaters. In Icelandic TV he is best known for his writing and acting in the comedy TV Series “Blood Brothers”. “Of Horses and Men” is his first feature film and has been travelling extensively on the festival circuit and receiving many prizes. “Woman at War” is his second feature film.

HALLDÓRA GEIRHARÐSDÓTTIR

Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir is an award-winning Icelandic actress with a broad range from drama to comedy. She graduated from the Icelandic Theater School in 1995 and has been a leading actor at the City Theater in Reykjavík ever since, as well as working extensively in film and television. Notably, she was nominated for playing the two leading parts in the film “Woman at war” by Benedikt Erlingson. Since 2018, she is a professor at the Icelandic University of the Arts and program director of the BA along with her work as an actress.

Katla Þ. Njálsdóttir is a singer and actress born in 2002. Katla started her career at 13 in the film “Heartstone” by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson and her next role was Rebekka in the TV-series “Prisoners” directed by Ragnar Bragason, which premiered at RÚV, and aired across Europe, including on Netflix. One of her latest works is “Fractures” (2022), directed by Eva Sigurðardóttir, where she plays one of the leading roles.

SOUND OF CINEMA

Venue: KEX HOSTEL

Date: Thursday 6th of October

Time: 10:45-11:45

ÞÓRARINN GUÐNASON

Þórarinn Guðnason is a composer and guitarist from Reykjavík, Iceland. His score for award-winning “Lamb” (2021) was nominated for the HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award. This was his first score as a sole composer after having worked as an arranger and composer’s assistant with a variety of renowned artists. Some notable previous work includes the Oscarwinning original score for Joker (2019) by his sister Hildur Guðnadóttir, and BAFTA-winning soundtrack for Broadchurch (2015) by Ólafur Arnalds.

Herdís Stefánsdóttir is an Icelandic composer and producer. She is mostly known for her work as film and television composer but also produces and writes under the artist name Kónguló. Some of Herdís’s recent work include Apple+ series The Essex Serpent, Hulu series Y the Last Man which earned her an Icelandic Music Award and Warner Brothers feature film The Sun is Also a Star!

THE

Venue: Háskólabíó 2

Date: Friday 7th of October

Time: 09:00-11:30

SYNOPSIS

Addi, a boy raised by a clairvoyant mother, decides to adopt a bullied misfit into his gang of outsiders. Left to their own devices, the boys explore aggression and violence but also learn about loyalty and love. As the group’s behavior escalates towards life-threatening

GUÐMUNDUR ARNAR GUÐMUNDSSON

Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson is a director/producer and co owner of Join Motion Pictures, a boutique Icelandic production company focusing on director-driven films. Gudmundsson graduated in Fine Art and studied screenwriting in Denmark. His short films and features have been showcased and awarded in numerous festivals. Among these accolades are Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlinale Film Festival and a nomination for the European Film Awards.

VIKTOR BENONÝ

Viktor Benóný first appeared as child actor in 2018 in the film “The Falcons” (Víti i Vestmannaeyjum). He has recently received excellent reviews for his performance in film “Berdreymi” (2022), directed by Guðmund Arnar Guðmundsson, which is an official selection for the European Film Awards 2022.

11 SCREENING + Q&A SCREENING OF situations, Addi begins to experience a series of dreamlike visions. Can his newfound intuition guide him and his friends back to a safer path, or will they dive irrevocably into further violence?

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

GOLDEN

JURY

MARIA THELMA

María Thelma is an Icelandic actress. Having graduated from Iceland Academy of Arts in 2016, she played Iris in the popular TV series Prisoners. Her movie debut was Arctic, an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival, where she co-starred with Mads Mikkelsen. She is currently under a contract at the National Theater of Iceland where she has participated in many different theater plays. Her latest role was that of Elísabet in the popular TV series Trapped premiering on Netflix in September.

ÓSKAR KRISTINN VIGNISSON

Óskar Kristinn Vignisson is a writer and director who graduated from the Danish Film School in 2021 and The Icelandic Art academy in 2014. His graduation film Frie Mænd // Free men premiered at Cinéfondation at the Cannes film festival 2021 and has since then won numerous awards among them being the best Icelandic short at RIFF last year. Currently, he is developing his first feature film with the New Danish Screen at the Danish Film Institute.

TORFINNUR JÁKUPSSON

Torfinnur Jákupsson is a Faroese screenwriter, showrunner and executive producer with a background in journalism and music. He is also CEO of GRÓ Studios, the first studio of its kind in the Faroe Islands. Represented by Danske Dramatikere and Swedish boutique agency Albatros, Torfinnur is the creator and head writer of the first ever Faroese TV drama series, award-winning eco-crime thriller TROM, shown on Viaplay, DR, BBC, ZDF/ Arte, AMC+ and SBS among others.

GOLDEN EGG SCREENINGS

Venue: Háskólabíó 4

Date: Wednesday 5th of October

Time: 17:45&20:15

WITH MAURO HERCE AND DANIELA CAJÍAS

Venue: Ráðhús Reykjavikur

Date: Wednesday 5th of October

Time: 14:00-15:00

Moderator: Carolina Salas

RIFF is proud to host the SPANISH WAVES, this year’s focus country. Besides our extensive selection of Spanish films, the Industry Days are also infused with Hispanic flair. Join us for a special masterclass with two Hispanic cinematographers and learn how they see the world through their cameras! This masterclass is supported by ICAA.

Daniela Cajias is a Bolivian cinematographer. In 2021 she became the first woman in the 35-year history of the Goya Awards to win the award for best cinematography, for her work on the film Las Niñas de Pilar Palomero.12

In 2017 she was the first director of Bolivian photography to win an international award. Her latest movie is Alcarras, this years winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlinale Film Festival.

Mauro Herce graduated in Engineering (Polytechnics of Catalonia) and Fine Arts (University of Barcelona), before he enrolled at the San Antonio de los Baños (Cuba) and Louis Lumière (France) Film Schools. In 2019, he made the short film LONELY RIVERS also selected at Locarno and with which he obtained the first prize in the official section of Gijón 2019, among other awards and selections at festivals. STRANGE FRUIT will be his second feature film as director, in which he will also be director of photography and screenwriter.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR FIRST FEATURE

Venue: Ráðhús Reykjavikur

Date: Thursday 6th of October

Time: 14:00-15:30

Moderator: Þorsteinn Sturla Gunnarsson

Are you working on or dreaming of making your first feature film? This is the masterclass for you. This is your chance to ask all your questions to those that have gone through the process from A to Z. What goes into directing a feature film? How do you bring your ideas to life? How do you develop your story to captivate audiences? How do you collaborate with a scriptwriter? These filmmakers are ready to spill the tea!

David Wagner spent the early 2000s making short films with friends before entering the film industry in 2003, learning how professional films are produced by working in several different roles on film sets. In 2006 he participated in a summer film course at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts before completing a masters degree in directing at the Hamburg Media School. His last film Eismayer is part of the New Visions section and won the Grand Prize at Venice International Critics’ Week 2022.

Rúnar Rúnarsson had his debut feature film at the Director’s Fortnights in Cannes 2011 with VOLCANO, which was nominated for the Camera d’Or. His sophomore feature SPARROWS won Concha Ora, Main Award at the San Sebastian film festival. Since then, collecting 20 international awards. His 3rd feature film, ECHO, had a World Premiere in Locarno 2019 and was selected for Cannes Artelier and honored with six international awards. His crossroads trilogy of Short films received around 100 international film awards.

MAURO HERCE

DAVID WAGNER

DANIELA CAJIAS

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

SPOTLIGHT: SOUND DESIGN

Each edition of Producer’s Day will spotlight one other branch of the industry. In 2022 we celebrate sound

AMANDA VILLAVIEJA

BJÖRN VIKTORSSON

designers and we have a conversation about their line of work. Come meet our musical and audio talents!

Amanda Villavieja worked as a sound technician and sound designer in more than fifty fiction and documentary films. She graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the Autonomous University of Barcelona with a Master in Creative Documentary from the Pompeu Fabra University. Teacher of sound design, Amanda has given sound seminars at different film festivals such as Curtocircuito in Santiago de Compostela and at the Muestra de cine de Lanzarote.

Björn Viktorsson is an independent sound designer and sound mixer. Since 2001 he has worked in all fields of sound for film and television, be it pre-production, production, post-production or sound design. He has been involved in the sound of numerous films, TV series, documentaries and commercials. Björn studied audio engineering at SAE (School of Audio Engineering) in Glasgow. After studying, Björn worked at RÚV (The Icelandic National Broadcast Company) and then for Cinema Sound ltd. in Iceland.

GUNNAR ÁRNASON

Gunnar Árnason founded his sound company “Upptekid” in 1987 which is still running. In 2017, he started building his new studio in Kópavogur, with one booth, one small edit studio and in January 2021 he got Dolby Atmos Feature Certified Studio license for the big studio. That was the seventh Scandinavian studio to receive this certification. For over 40 years, Gunnar has worked in all kinds of sound departments: answer machines, audio books, music, documentary, video games, TV drama series and feature films.

NICK CATHCART JONES

For over forty years Nick has dedicated his career to the recording/ production/mixing of all things audio. He started working at Mayfair Recording Studios. In 1984 he founded Clock Studios, in London. Back to Iceland, Nick remained freelancing in music and record production until 1997 when he accepted a job offer at Sagafilm. In 2010 he chose to leave Sagafilm and form his own audio post-production company called Nýbúi. Nick has also built up several relationships with international productions.

Venue: Háskólabíó

Date: Friday 7th of October

Time: 17:00-19:00

Moderator: Hera Hilmar

RIFF TALKS are held in the spirit of TED Talks but focus on filmmaking, the main aim is to inspire, educate and motivate fellow film professionals, other creatives, and regular movie goers. RIFF TALKS are there to challenge and rethink the current mainstream narratives. Each talk is given by a speaker who has oversight on the issues and the current trends in the world of films. The talks are followed by a panel discussion between the different speakers to exchange ideas and as an opportunity to engage with the audience.

HERA HILMAR

Hera is an Icelandic actress who can currently be seen starring in Steven Knight and Francis awrence’s Apple TV+ series, SEE and as well as soon starring in Asa Hjorleifsdottir’s anticipated REPLY TO A LETTER FROM HELGA and Hilmar Oddsson’s DRIVING MUM to be released in 2023.

Previously, Hera starred in Baltasar Kormákur’s THE OATH and was the central lead in Universal’s epic franchise MORTAL ENGINES. Hera gained international notoriety in the Icelandic feature LIFE IN A FISHBOWL.

ÁLFRÚN ÖRNÓLFSDÓTTIR

Álfrún Örnólfsdóttir is an Icelandic director, writer and actress. She has had a successful acting career in film, tv and theatre for the past 20 years. She is also a playwright and theatre director. Álfrún is a member of The Post Performance Blues Band, an art collective that seeks inspiration in failure. BAND, her debut film as a director premiered in 2022 and has been screened in major film festivals around the world. She is currently directing a play at the City Theatre of Iceland and developing a new feature film called Shitballs.

Benjamin Hardman is a landscape photographer and natural history cinematographer based in Iceland. With Iceland as a home base, the fragile, barren and isolated landscapes of the North have become the core focus of his work. After 10 years in the creative sphere, multiple solo exhibitions and more than 30 assignments as a polar expedition photography specialist, Benjamin has now embarked on a new path in cinematography, working on a series of productions for Netflix and the BBC, set be released in 2023.

CASS GARDINER

Cass Gardiner is an Anishinaabe Algonquin filmmaker, curator, and writer from Kebaowek First Nation. She produced the short documentary Jewels Hunt, which was supported by ITVS and TFI, and broadcast on Independent Lens. Her curatorial work has led her to collaborate with the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, the Critical Distance Centre for Curators, and the Indigenous Curatorial Collective. She has been published in Inuit Art Quarterly, Cherry Bombe, and Compound Butter magazine.

BENJAMIN HARDMAN

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

GUDMUNDUR ARNAR GUDMUNDSSON

Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson is a director/producer and co owner of Join Motion Pictures, a boutique Icelandic production company focusing on director-driven films. Gudmundsson graduated in Fine Art and studied screenwriting in Denmark. His short films and features have been showcased and awarded in numerous festivals. Among these accolades are Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlinale Film Festival and a nomination for the European Film Awards.

JÓNMUNDUR GRÉTARSSON

Jónmundur Grétarsson is an actor who graduated from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco 2014. Jónmundurs most recent works were Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet at the National Theater of Iceland and Detective Einar in the Tv series Systrabönd. His upcoming work include Tv and film projects alongside the play Íslandsklukkan by Halldór Kiljan Laxness which will be premiered at the end of February at The National Theater. Being part of the first Icelandic generations of actors with different ethnicities, his focus is to push for more diversity within the Icelandic art scene.

SARA GUNNARSDÓTTIR

Sara Gunnarsdóttir is a director and artist who has created animation, music videos, and original artwork for film and television, including Marielle Heller’s celebrated debut feature “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” and HBO’s Emmy-nominated “The Case Against Adnan Sayed.” Sara most recently directed the animated comedy “My Year of Dicks,” created by Pamela Ribon, for FX Network. The show won Special Jury Awards at SXSW and took home the Crystal for TV Production at Annecy Animation Film Festival.

Tania Zarak Quintana began her career at Tribeca Films, Robert De Niro’s production company. Through the years she has worked on the development and production of films like Pan’s Labyrinth, The Departed, and an adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’ News of a Kidnapping. She served as Executive Director of Argos Cine until 2009 when she founded Bonita Films. Tania served as Manager of International Originals at Netflix in 2018. She relocated to Iceland and was appointed Vicepresident of Development at Truenorth.

ÚLFUR TEITUR TRAUSTASON

Úlfur Teitur Traustason has been working in the film industry for 20 years. For the last 15 years he has been working full time as an editor on a big variety of projects. From adverts, tv shows, documentaries to feature films. His newest works are 8 part TV series Black Sands, directed by Baldvin Z and 8 part TV series Fractures, directed by Eva Sigurðardóttir. Last year he also edited the short film Heartless which received an Edda award as the best short film of 2021 last month.

TANIA ZARAK QUINTANA

Reykjavik is a relatively small city, and everything is within walking distance. Make sure to bring good shoes as well as warm wind-and-rain-friendly clothes for the Industry Trip. The weather can be quite unpredictable, so please be prepared for sunshine, rain and lots of rainbows! You can check the weather forecast (as well as the Northern lights forecast!) here: https://en.vedur.is/ weather/forecasts/areas/

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation from the airport is not included in your Talent Lab fee. Reykjavik Excursions, which operates bus services connecting Keflavik airport and Reykjavik, is the most convenient option. The bus takes approx imately 45min. You may book ahead at the official website: https://www.re.is/tour/flybus/ or just hop on at the airport.

You can use Promo Code RIFF2022, to get a 10% dis count at all services of Reykjavik Excursions.

More info: https://straeto.is/

A big part of Icelandic culture revolves around outdoor swimming pools, which offer saunas, steam baths and hot tubs. Sundhöllin swimming pool is located downtown and has been the venue for the swim-in cinema events for the past years for RIFF. Make sure not to forget your bathing suit!

Hopp electric scooters are the new way of city travel ing. We recommend downloading the app here: https:// hopp.bike/

The Reykjavik city bus Stræto is another convenient way to travel within the city. You can purchase the bus ticket through the Klapp app, by cash on the bus (note that Bus drivers do not carry any change), or at various vendors.

There are also several 24-hour taxi companies in Reykjavik.

HREYFILL TEL: +354 588 5522 BSR TEL: +354 561 0000

ACCREDITATION AND TICKETS

The Talent Lab accreditation grants you access to any regular film screening. With your Festival Pass you may reserve tickets online for up to 4 screenings in advance, 24 hours in advance. Entrance to special events during the Talent Lab will be covered without reservation (excluded

MEALS

Meals are not provided, except for breakfast at KEX Hostel for those who are staying there. There are several supermarkets around the city, such as Bónus, Krónan, Nettó, Super 1, Krambúð and Haukaup.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Eva Sigurðardóttir

Talent Lab Artistic Director

production@riff.is

Inga Margrét Jónsdóttir

Project Coordinator productionassist@riff.is

+354 663-7089

are screenings and Q&As) . If you are arriving before the start of the Lab and wish to make a reservation for a special event, please send us an e-mail with the respective information.

More information regarding tickets will be announced soon.

At Kex you can have a pizza Pizza for 1500 ISK, and beer for 800 ISK. Anything else you order you get a 15% discount!

Danai Dafni MitsakouDanai

Project Coordinator Assistant

Email: talentlab@riff.is

Social Media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rvkfilmfest/ Instagram @reykjavikfilmfestival

Industry Days Instagram @riffindustrydays

2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

ABBIE LUCAS

Abbie Lucas is a film director based in London, originally from New Zealand. In 2018, Levile TV listed her as one of the Top 20 Rising Female Filmmakers in the UK. She is a member of Directors UK and BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew 2021. As a storyteller, she enjoys stories with flawed relationships, female protagonists, vigilantes, crime, and a bit of magical realism but most of all loves work with strong performances and impactful story lines. She is known for exploring dark themes in ways that are humorous and unexpected.

ANDREA VALENCIA

Alex Bijan Zandi is an Iranian-American filmmaker and artist based in Brooklyn, New York. His work explores the social difficulties and enchantments of Middle Eastern diaspora. He is a decorated graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, with an MFA at Film/Video at Bard College. In 2021 he participated in the MACRO x The Black List Feature Screenwriter Incubator. His films have been screened at venues such as the Amsterdam International Film Festival and various art foundations.

MINNINGAR / MINNEN

Andrea Valencia is a Peruvian filmmaker interested in the power of film to create social change. She has worked in several documentaries to portray social injustice, gender and environmental issues in Peru, such as the Testimony of Máxima Acuña, one of the few farmers who stood against selling her lands to the largest gold mining project in South America. She holds a BA in Audiovisual Production from San Marcos Major National University and an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Iceland.

CARRIE DODDS

Carrie Dodds is a Scottish actor, writer and producer. She has appeared in several short films, such as the well received “I, Sniper”, and the award winning (Best Actress) “The Girl and The Red Dress”. She studied scriptwriting at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and wrote, produced and acted in her debut play “The Loch Inn”. She writes stories that focus on underrepresented minorities, she has just co-written, produced and acted in her debut short film “Snapshot“, and is now working on her next film “The Pursuit of Independence”.

CHRISTOPHER BEAULIEU

Christopher Beaulieu is a Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto. He holds an MA in Media Production from Toronto Metropolitan University and a BA in Film Studies and English Literature from Western University. Working with themes of mental health and vocational identity, his films are poignant character studies that use formal elements to link characters to their urban environments. Christopher is currently working on a feature film funded through Canada Council for the Arts.

ALEX ZANDI

Born in Quebec City, Canada in 1991, David Findlay is a writer-director and Arts graduate of the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on the earnest examination of human behaviour and is known for seamlessly straddling the line between fiction and documentary through a highly cinematic and empathetic lens. His latest short film Lay Me by the Shore (2022) premiered at Berlinale and went on to play TIFF.

Deidra has worked at production accounting for entities including Warner Brothers, Sony, Amazon Prime, ABC, NBC Universal and HBO Max. She has worked on both film and television productions including Jimmy Kimmel Live, Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Parenthood, Mindy Kaling’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Olivia Wilde’s feature film Don’t Worry Darling. A co-founding producing partner of Against Type Films, Deidra recently workshopped the feature film project Detroit Rounds with the Sundance Collab Producers Lab.

DEREK PASTUSZEK

Derek Pastuszek is an award-winning writer and filmmaker from Philadelphia. His first film, “Solitary”, was screened at the White House (Obama admin., in July 2016). While studying at the AFI Conservatory, he co-wrote the award-winning “The Duke: Based on the Memoir ‘I’m The Duke’ by J.P. Duke”, which ran in various festivals and is now on Short of the Week. He is currently a writer on Peacock’s series “The Resort”, while his latest film, “Islander”, finishes its festival run. He is represented by LBI Entertainment.

Francesco Lorusso, born in south Italy, experimented in audiovisual art from a young age. He studied Philosophy in Turin, and Visual Semiotic and Moral Philosophy. In 2013 he co-founded the film association Broga Doite, and since then has directed and produced commercials, music videos, documentaries and short films, many of which have been awarded in various festivals. His works are a research on identity and memory from an existential perspective. He is currently working on two shorts and the script of his first feature film.

Hayley Grey is a Canada-based director, writer, and producer (DGC). She is a graduate of Dalhousie University and Vancouver Film School and has written and directed narrative, documentary and commercial work, part of which has been screened and awarded at festivals around the world. Among her recent films are the documentaries “Hayashi Studio”and “Unarchived”, and the short film “Send the Rain”.

DEIDRA DWYER

FRANCESCO LORUSSO

DAVID FINDLAY

HAYLEY GREY

Hörður Skúlason, is a young filmmaker from Iceland. He has worked as a freelancer for Icelandic productions, and has himself produced several TV commercials. He has written and directed three short films up till now, concerning a variety of subjects. He has recently finished his first feature length script; an old viking saga about anger, loss, family and forgiveness.

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

JOHN PLAS

Jason is a writer and director from Dublin, Ireland. His television directing credits include Fair City for RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster, the third season of the scripted comedy series “The Doireann Project”, and award-winning “Eastenders”. Other credits include the short films “Mr. Eckles” and the award winning short films “The Wal” and “Forever Hold Your Peace”. Jason holds a post graduate diploma in Advanced Producing from TU Dublin and is currently in development on his debut feature film, They Don’t Belong Here.

MINNINGAR / MINNEN

JC Farris is a Chicago-based filmmaker. She has produced, written, and/ or directed over 20 short films and web series episodes, among which, the award-winning short film “We Hate Bob”, the feature film “Ghostwriter” and the horror short film “Take a Breath”. JC has worked at many arts organizations and festivals. She is currently in the Chicago Independent Producers Lab and a company member of Soft Cage Films. Her interest lies in female-driven horror, sci-fi, and thriller genres, with strong social themes.

João Vitor Corrêa is an award-winning writer and producer from Brazil. He has collaborated with various TV networks and streaming services on television and feature documentaries. As a journalist, he has worked in several countries to produce high-impact investigative projects.He was part of the multi-awardwinning “Strangers at Home”, a documentary series on xenophobia and extremism across Europe.João’s diverse experience and dedication to the craft translate into impactful stories that inform and inspire change.

John Plas is an actor and filmmaker based in London, UK. He is a member of various film foundations and academies. His credits include the awardwinning feature screenplay “Resurrection” and the recent short film “Lamaze Classes” that he wrote, directed and starred in, which has been finalist at 80 film festivals up to this date. He is currently working at the production of two short films, one of them inspired by the pandemic (in post-production) and the other shot in India (in production).

JASON BRANAGAN

JOÃO VITOR CORRÊA

JC FARRIS

JUANEE SCOTT

Bermudian born and raised, Juanee Scott is a filmmaker living in London. She attended Westminster University and holds a BA in Film and Television Production. Juanee is passionate about storytelling, global causes, and social justice. Because she is inspired by real people and real issues, she is most drawn to creating documentaries. Documentaries have the unique ability to highlight important topics and captivate audiences, which often spark conversations and social movements.

Judie Yang is an award-winning Taiwanese director, working in Taiwan, U.S.A., and Japan. She holds a MFA Cinema degree from San Francisco State University. Judie explores issues of identity the challenge of coming back home and the search for identity in Taiwanese diaspora through magical realism comedies. Her films were screened in the biggest Asian American film festivals. She was selected by Bucheon Fantastic Film School in 2021, and from there has been developing her first feature film, “Welcome to JuJu Land”.

Kristie Ko is a director and writer who came of age in post-colonial Hong Kong. Since graduating from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, she has worked in production in Los Angeles, London and Hong Kong. Her short film, Ateh, premiered at the Hong Kong Freshwave International Film Festival. She is currently developing her next film, Homecoming and Going. She is interested in character-driven narratives that examine class and privilege, belonging and nostalgia, love and loss.

Kristina Mileska is an award-winning Macedonian-Canadian writer and director based in Toronto. She holds a BFA in Film Production from York University. Her short films “The Bear and the Beekeeper”, “Afloat” and “Asteroid”, premiered at festivals and have received many accolades. Kristina’s work is light on dialogue with a greater emphasis on visual storytelling, and focuses on themes of grief, memory, disillusionment and loss of innocence. She is currently developing her debut feature film titled “Summer, 2002”.

KRISTJÁN JÓNSSON

Kristján Jónsson is a 26 year old Icelandic filmmaker. Graduated from the Icelandic film school with a degree in producing and directing. Since then he has worked mostly in television and commercials. He is currently working as a motion graphics artist for television, alongside working on a feature length script and making music videos for various artists.

JUDIE YANG

KRISTINA MILESKA

KRISTIE KO

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

MARK FEINSOD

March Mercanti is a Canadian filmmaker and visual artist, holding a BA from Toronto Film School. His student works have been awarded and he went on to receive an Ontario Arts Council grant for his award winning short film “Clean Ice”. His latest short film, “Jelly”is currently on the festival circuit. His films explore themes of love and loss, but in ways that give the audience the opportunity to laugh. He is currently working on his first feature film, based on true events that took place during his father’s funeral weekend.

Mark L. Feinsod is an American filmmaker, who got his start working as a production assistant on the classic film “American Psycho”. Since then, he has become an award-winning producer, writer and director. His short films and screenplays have received critical acclaim and have been screened at numerous film festivals. His first feature, the micro-budget “The Deafening Silence of a Very Bright Light”, was described as “haunting” by the New York Post. He is currently developing his second feature film “Paint the Night”.

MAYA AVIDOV

MUGS CAHILL

MINNINGAR / MINNEN

Maya Avidov holds a BA and MA from the Sam Spiegel School of Film & Television and currently spends her time between London, Tel Aviv & Cologne. Since immigrating to the UK, she has written, directed & produced several short films, documentaries and music videos. She has worked as a leading Archive Producer & Researcher on films and TV shows for Netflix, Amazon, the BBC and Sky Arts. Her latest film “What We Share” has been selected for the Golden Egg competition at RIFF 2022.

Maya Bastian is an award winning Tamil-Canadian filmmaker and writer with roots in conflict journalism. Her work has been screened internationally, and her most recent film “Tigress”, which was screened at Cannes Court Metrage 2021 and nominated for a CEC Award, competes for the Golden Egg 2022. Her work explores the trauma related to displacement and migration. She is currently in development on her feature directorial debut ‘The Devil’s Tears’, a supernatural thriller set in the jungles of post-conflict Sri Lanka.

Mugs Cahill is a screenwriter whose feature and television projects about complex, self-actualized women have earned distinction in renowned screenwriting competitions and labs, including The Writers Lab, Vancouver International Women in Film Festival, and Big Apple Film Festival. Mugs spent nearly two decades as an advertising Creative Director. She is a Stowe Story Labs alum, an ISA Development Fellow, and the co-founder of Fire & Wine, an entertainment industry collective providing a sanctuary for discussion.

MAYA BASTIAN

Niamh grew up between Ireland, Germany and the US. During her BA at the University of Cambridge, she began making short films alongside her studies, and proceeded her film studies with an MFA at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Her micro-budget feature film “Blue Abroad”, premiered at various european festivals. She is currently in post-production on her short film, “Zwei Mädchen,” a dark coming of age story. She is interested in power imbalances and the relationship between humans and nature.

ROBERT LANCEFIELD

Robert Lancefield is a Canadian award-winning filmmaker. His credits include his award-winning directorial debut sci-fi thriller short, “Transit”, which was produced through his production company, Heart House Films. He has a diverse background in film and animation production, music, stunt fighting, and camera technology development. He is currently in pre-production for his second live-action film, “Time Monopoly”. His passion is to illustrate positive, inclusive visions of the future, in order to inspire audiences.

RYAN COULDREY

Ryan is a Canadian, get-it-done-however-possible director and editor who’s produced 14 narrative and 2 doc short films, a cake making web series that blends reality DIY Youtube with horror/ sci-fi homage, and a feature film adaptation of the graphic novel Snow. In 2021 he shot 7 short films — the Ontario Arts Council funded “The Whisper of Succulents”, an official selection of Golden Egg 2022, along with 6 zero-budget films in his Apartment 416 series (each in a different genre and shot without any crew other than himself).

SINA SULTANI

Sina Sultani is a 90-time award-winning writer, director and producer. His sci-fi feature “Trace” was recently selected for various Film Festival Labs. In 2021 he participated in programs such as the Netflix Diversity of Voices initiative. He combined his indie filmmaking sensibilities with his studio-level experience on projects such as “Terminator: Dark Fate”, “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and the upcoming Spider-Verse sequel. He’s currently delivering his next animated short while developing his first live-action feature.

SKYLAR PATTERSON

Skylar Patterson is an emerging American writer and director. Since joining the film world in 2013, his credits include films featured on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showtime. His films explore themes of fear, loneliness, and satire. Most recently, his feature length crime thriller script “Compulsion” was selected for the 2022 Stowe Story Lab.

RIFF 2022 more info and tickets at riff.is and on the app

TRACEY LAVIGNE

Tracey Lavigne is an emerging writer/director/producer from Canada. She is an alumna of the FIN Atlantic Film Festival Script Development Program and a winner of the CBC Women in Film and Television Atlantic Pitch Competition. Her short films exploring themes of identity, isolation, and connection have screened at festivals internationally. She is the producer of the feature film “Further Than the Eye Can See”, and is currently developing her first feature as writer/director, the queer coming-of-age drama “Glitter”.

ZAYN ALEXANDER

Zayn Alexander is a Lebanese-American film director, writer, and actor based in New York City. His credits include his award-winning short films, “Abroad”, which premiered at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and “Manara” debuted during the 76th Venice Film Festival. Most recently, Alexander was invited to participate in the highly selective TIFF Filmmaker Lab ’21 taking place during the 46th Toronto International Film Festival with his debut feature film, “Plus One”, currently in development.

MINNINGAR / MINNEN

Zhenia Kazankina is a writer/director whose work revolves around issues of self-perception, coming-of-age, absurdity and dream. She is a Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) graduate (2019). Her short exercisefilms have played at international festivals and have received several awards. Her graduation project ‘RIO’ was selected to Oscar and BAFTA -qualified film festivals. Currently, she works on her first feature project.

ZHENIA KAZANKINA