When you open the comprehensive programme for RIFF, it's evident that independent, groundbreaking cinema takes center stage, with emerging filmmakers at the core of the festival's activities. This is particularly showcased in the 'New Visions' category, where budding directors present their debut or sophomore feature films to vie for the festival's top honor, the Golden Puffin. These rising talents will be showcased alongside industry veterans, who will be present either in person or virtually in Reykjavík.
This year's lineup includes actress Nastassja Kinski, known for her roles in Roman Polanski's 'Tess' (1979) and Wim Wenders' 'Paris, Texas' (1984). The latter, along with Paul Schrader's 'Cat People' (1982), will be screened, followed by a masterclass by Kinski. Director Bong Joon-ho, celebrated for 'Parasite' (2019), will engage in a discussion with Icelandic audiences after screenings of his earlier works 'Mother' (2009) and 'The Host' (2006). Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari, co-producer of several films with acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos, will also bring her films, including the 2024 drama 'Harvest', to Iceland.
Each year, RIFF highlights a specific country in its programming. This year, Sweden is in the spotlight, featuring films like Frida Kempff's 'The Swedish Torpedo' (2024), set before the outbreak of World War II and focusing on the first Scandinavian to swim the English Channel, alongside a selection of short films. RIFF also aims to bridge Icelandic cinema with the global film community. Its 'Icelandic Panorama' section showcases the best of new independent Icelandic cinema, including Pascal Payant's family drama 'All Eyes on Me' (2024) and Heimir Freyr Hlöðversson's documentary 'Birdlife' (2024), which follows Iceland's first professional bird photographer.
In addition to attracting cinema enthusiasts, the festival's Industry Days (2-6 October) bring together film professionals for discussions on various topics, from costumes to marketing and distribution. The 2024 festival also caters to food lovers, offering favorites like the drive-in cinema and unique film-gastronomy pairings, such as a screening of Alfonso Arau's 'Like Water for Chocolate' (1992) with a special menu by vegetarian restaurant Sónó Matseljur, and the documentary 'Shelf Life' (Ian Cheney, 2024) accompanied by a cheese and wine tasting.
RIFF director Hrönn Marinósdóttir expressed her excitement to Euronews Culture, saying, “At RIFF, we are thrilled to present a diverse selection of films from around the world to our international and local guests, providing a platform for the industry to unite, connect, and enjoy each other's company.” She added, “This year, I am particularly excited to welcome our honorary guests Bong Joon-Ho, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Jonas Åkerlund, and Nastassja Kinski. It's an honor to screen their work, offer masterclasses and Q&As, and, of course, to sit down and enjoy their films!”
The 2024 Reykjavík International Film Festival runs from 26 September to 6 October. For more information, visit the official website.
