27/09/2005

The second Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) starts this Thursday with a rich programme of over 50 films selected by Greek-born Dimitri Eipides -an established programmer in the international festival circuit- with the help of a strong committee of nine established Icelandic film professionals including filmmakers Baltasar Kormákur and Dagur Kári, L.A.-based producer Joni Sighvatsson and former director of the Icelandic Film Fund Thorfinnur Ómarsson.

The main event of the RIFF is the competition section ‘New Visions’ focusing on young and upcoming directors from around the world. A jury presided over by Polish-born UK director Pawel Pawlikowski and composed of actor Hilmir Guanason (Guy X), actress Nina Dögg Filippusdóttir (Shooting star Berlin 2003), Kirstin Jóhannesdottir (filmmaker and Head of the Icelandic Film School), and Norwegian film critic Dag Sødtholt will award a Jury Prize Award to the most interesting film among the dozen titles competing. Those include Pawlikowski’s own award-winning film My Summer Of Love [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jean-Paul Rougier
interview: Pawel Pawlikowski
interview: Tanya Seghatchian
film profile], Porcelain Doll by Peter Gardos (Hungary), Antares by Götz Spielmann (Austria), Battle in Heaven [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carlos Reygadas
interview: Jean Labadie
film profile] by Carlos Reygadas (Mexico) and Fallen by Red Kelemen (Latvia/Germany).

The other key sections of the 10 days film festival (until October 9) are ‘Open Sea’, a selection of the most interesting international films of the year for which a People’s Choice Award will be given, a spotlight on the works of Iranian veteran director Abbas Kiarostami who will be on hand to give a masterclass, a special focus on new Norwegian cinema and Iranian cinema, and a Human Rights programme organized with the National Committee of UNIFEM in Iceland.

Under the patronage of Helga Stephenson, former director the Toronto Film Festival and the supervision of festival director Hrönn Marinósdóttir, an established journalist, RIFF is supported by the Icelandic Ministry of Culture, the municipality of Reykjavik and private sponsors.