\u201cThe current temperature of Icelandic cinema is warm, and we really like it when it is warm up here in the North,\u201d Laufey Gu\u00f0j\u00f3nsd\u00f3ttir, CEO of the Icelandic Film Centre, explained. The nation\u2019s central film institution has been led by the executive since its establishment in 2003.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe industry has been trending upwards over the last few years, both in terms of creativity, but also in local box office, international sales, festival selections, and even prizes. Those in Iceland who turn up to cinemas may be few in number, yet still up to a third of the 330,000 people in the country watch local films and TV drama on television.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gu\u00f0j\u00f3nsd\u00f3ttir was moderating the presentation of new Icelandic features at the recent Reykjavik International Film Festival, where directors and producers introduced their upcoming features \u2013 \u201ca very interesting mix, I think, both of genres and artistically challenging productions, and there are many films by female directors who have finished their studies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Icelandic Film Centre has an annual budget of approximately \u20ac5 million to support feature films, with an additional \u20ac2 million allocated to documentaries, shorts and other assignments, including distribution and exhibition. \u201cThe advisory board will shortly deliver its proposals for a new film agreement, and we hope it will include a much-needed budget increase,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Following the lead of Icelandic filmmaker R\u00fanar R\u00fanarsson\u2019s Sparrows, which won 14 international festival awards and is nominated for the Nordic Council Film Prize, and his compatriot Baltsasar Kormakur\u2019s The Oath, which was in the running at San Sebastian, Gu\u00f0mundur Arnar Gu\u00f0mundsson\u2019s Heartstone\u2013 which received the Queer Lion in Venice<\/strong> \u2013 will be the next local release, slated for early 2017.<\/p>\n It will be followed next year by the various films, currently at different stages of production, presented at the festival:<\/p>\n Alma \u2013 Krist\u00edn Johannesd\u00f3ttir<\/em> Under the Tree \u2013 Hafstein Gunnar Sigurdsson<\/em> The Swan \u2013 \u00c1sa Helga Hj\u00f6rleifsd\u00f3ttir<\/em> I Remember You \u2013 \u00d3skar Th\u00f3r Axelsson<\/em> The Wind Blew On \u2013 Katrin \u00d3lafsd\u00f3ttir<\/em> Child Eater \u2013 Erlingur \u00d3ttar Thoroddsen<\/em> Winter Brothers \u2013 Hlynur P\u00e1lmason<\/em> Prisoners – Ragnar Bragason<\/em> Hulli 2 – Hugleikur Dagsson<\/em>
\nProduced by Gudr\u00fan Edda Th\u00f3rhannesd\u00f3ttir for DUO Productions.
\nA drama about a woman who has spent seven years in a psychiatric institute for murdering her lover, an act she has no memory of. When he is found to be alive, she escapes with the intention of really killing him but changes her mind.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Klaudia Smieja, Beata Rzezniczek and Jacob Jarek for Netop Films.
\nThis drama follows the increasingly absurd and violent quarrel between neighbours over a big and beautiful tree.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Birgitta Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir and Hlin J\u00f3hannesd\u00f3ttir for Vintage Pictures.
\nA drama following a nine-year-old girl who is sent to the countryside one summer to work and, hopefully, mature. She suddenly finds herself entangled in a conflict that she can hardly understand.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Sk\u00fali Malmquist, Thor Sigurjonsson and Sigurj\u00f3n Sighvatsson for Zik Zak Filmworks.
\nA thriller depicting three young people\u2019s efforts to restore a rundown building in a remote fjord. Their innocent trip turns into their worst nightmare.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Katrin Olafsd\u00f3ttir and Eva Sigurdard\u00f3ttir for International Incoherence.
\nA post-apocalyptic western with musical elements, it shows a young boy travelling across a desert planet in search of a forest \u2013 a promised land \u2013 and his fantasies of adulthood.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by P\u00e9tur Sigurdsson and Des McAnuff, for Wheelhouse Creative.
\nA horror film, during which a simple night of babysitting becomes a terrifying experience for Helen, after she discovers that the bogeyman is hiding in her son, Lucas\u2019, closet.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Julie Waltersdorph Hansen and Per Damgaard Hansen, for Masterpiece Pictures.
\nA drama portraying the routines, habits and rituals of two brothers who are involved in a violent feud with another family.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by David \u00d3skar \u00d3lafsson and \u00c1rni Filippusson for Mystery Productions.
\nA drama following Linda, who, after a lifetime of mistakes, is serving time in Iceland\u2019s only women\u2019s prison. She has been convicted for assault, having put her father in a coma, but she has one other dark secret.<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Bj\u00f6rn Th\u00f3rir Sigurdsson, for RVK Studios.
\nAn animated comedy about Hulli, whose career is on the decline. His filthy cartoons, which used to be his main source of income, are no longer selling, because kids don\u2019t read anymore \u2013 they watch.<\/p>\n