Reykjavík International Film Festival

Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF; Icelandic: "Alþjóðleg kvikmyndahátíð í Reykjavík"), is an international film festival held in Reykjavík, Iceland annually. The festival lasts 11 days each year and emphasizes young talent. One way of doing so is having a competitive category (named "New Visions") exclusively limited to a director's first or second feature-length film.

RIFF was founded in 2004 and included 16 films in its programme. In 2005 the festival had grown dramatically, showcasing 60 films from 26 countries. By 2006, the programme spanned 100 films and multiple side-events.

In a short time RIFF has become quite well-known among film enthusiasts and professionals. Gerald Peary from the Boston Phoenix called the festival "one of the best-programmed film festivals on earth, and with some of the most exciting guests." Todd Burns of Stylus Magazine concluded his article on the 2006 event with these words: “If it continues down this path, it won’t be one of the best-kept secrets of the film festival circuit for long” and Brian Brooks from IndieWIRE had this to say: “Quite simply, in my humble opinion as a minor vet on the festival circuit, this event has instantly become one of my favorites. Of course the lure of Iceland and its eccentric beauty helps, but Reykjavik’s residents seem to have embraced the event, filling many of the festival’s screenings.”

At each festival a number of awards are given out. The main award is the "Discovery of the Year" award, given by an international jury. The international federation of film critics FIPRESCI sent a jury to RIFF in 2006. Also, the audience can vote for their favorite film from the whole programme. Lifetime achievement awards and creative excellency awards are given to well-known film directors who have achieved excellence in their work.

RIFF Fact Sheet

External links

* [http://www.filmfest.is Filmfest.is Íslenska]
* [http://www.filmfest.is/index.php?id=2&L=1 Filmfest.is English]