Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) – Iceland 2025

Background & History

The Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF), founded in 2004 by Hrönn Marinósdóttir, is Iceland’s largest and most diverse film festival, held annually for 11 days in Reykjavík. An independent, non-profit event, RIFF showcases around 80 feature films and numerous shorts from over 40 countries, emphasizing groundbreaking independent cinema and young talent. Its competitive New Visions category highlights first or second feature films, with the Golden Puffin award for Discovery of the Year.

RIFF promotes Icelandic cinema globally, fosters film literacy, and drives social reform through cinema, with programs like YouthRIFF and Industry Days. Notable past guests include Milos Forman, Jim Jarmusch, and Bong Joon-ho. Praised by Variety as “a passport to the world” and HuffPost as a “tectonic meeting point of European and American indie cinema,” RIFF is a key stop on the global festival circuit.

Event Highlights

• Main Program: Over 80 feature films and shorts (September 25–October 5, 2025), spanning fiction, documentaries, animation, and hybrids. Categories include New Visions (first/second films), Icelandic Panorama, Open Seas (acclaimed films), and documentaries (WORLDdocs, GREENdocs, MUSICdocs).
• YouthRIFF: A children’s festival with curated films, workshops, and educational projects for ages 3–18, fostering film literacy and democratic participation. Includes school screenings and a Youth Council (12–16-year-olds) shaping the program.
• Industry Days: Panels, masterclasses, and networking (dates TBD, likely 1–3 days during festival). Features Young Nordic Voices Think Tank for 18–25-year-olds, funded by the Nordic Culture Fund, focusing on sustainable filmmaking.
• Special Events: Swim-in cinemas, cave screenings, drive-ins, and filmmaker home screenings. Includes concerts, art exhibitions, and discussions with directors.
• Awards: Golden Puffin (New Visions), Golden Egg (Talent Lab shorts), Best Icelandic Short (RÚV award), FIPRESCI Award, and Audience Award.
• Accessibility: Háskólabíó and Nordic House are wheelchair-accessible (elevator access for Háskólabíó Room 4 via ticketing office). Limited audio descriptions; contact riff@riff.is. Disability parking is available.
• Eco-Initiatives: Promotes digital programs, public transport (Strætó buses), and recycling. Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Date & Duration

• Dates: September 25–October 5, 2025 (confirmed). Duration: 11 days.
• Hours (speculative, based on prior years):
  • Screenings: ~12:00–23:00 (Háskólabíó, Nordic House, other venues).
  • Industry Days: ~9:00–17:00 (TBD venues).
  • Special Events: Vary (e.g., evening concerts, daytime swim-ins).
  • Ticketing Booth: Opens September 22, 2025, Háskólabíó, ~10:00–20:00.
• Note: September weather (35–45°F, rain possible); bring waterproof jackets, comfortable shoes. Schedule at riff.is (early September 2025).

Main Event Address

• Venues (downtown Reykjavík, walkable, ~5–10 minutes apart):
  • Háskólabíó: Hagatorg, 107 Reykjavík (main hub, 5 auditoriums, wheelchair-accessible, elevator for Room 4).
  • Nordic House: Sturlugata 5, 101 Reykjavík (wheelchair-accessible).
  • Other Venues: Swimming pools, caves, private homes (TBD, some limited accessibility).
• Administrative Contact: RIFF, Tryggvagata 26, 3rd Floor, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; riff@riff.is; +354-850-3353 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–16:00).
• Note: Public transport: Strætó buses (Háskóli Íslands stop, ~ISK 630, ~$4.80 USD, 5-minute walk). Limited parking (~ISK 1,000/day, ~$7.60 USD); disability parking is free. Bicycle racks (~10 spaces, free).

Contact Information

• Email: riff@riff.is (general inquiries); skolar@riff.is (YouthRIFF).
• Phone: +354-850-3353 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–16:00).
• Website: https://riff.is
• Submission Platform: https://filmfreeway.com/ReykjavikInternationalFilmFestival
• Social Media: @reykjavikfilmfestival (Facebook, Instagram, X).
• Key Staff:
  • Festival Director: Hrönn Marinósdóttir.
  • Chairman: Helga Stephenson.
  • Main Program Director: Giorgio Gosetti.
  • Main Doc Programmer: Peter Wintonick.
• Press/Volunteers: Contact riff@riff.is for accreditation or volunteer inquiries (deadline August 2025).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Intern inquiries via riff@riff.is.

Ticket Information

• Admission (based on 2025, exchange rate 1 ISK ≈ $0.0076 USD):
  • Festival Pass (Hátíðarpassi): ISK 23,580 (~$180 USD, all screenings, non-transferable, electronic).
  • Under 20 Youth Pass: ISK 5,890 (~$45 USD, partial screenings).
  • Under 30 Youth Pass: ISK 8,490 (~$65 USD, partial screenings).
  • Super 8 Discount Card: ISK 13,790 (~$105 USD, 8 screenings).
  • Industry BASIC Pass: ISK 5,490 (~$42 USD, panels/masterclasses, no screenings).
  • Industry FULL Pass: ISK 23,190 (~$175 USD, panels, masterclasses, some screenings).
  • Industry FULL (Film Student): ISK 18,590 (~$142 USD, same as FULL).
  • Single Tickets: ~ISK 1,500–2,500 (~$11.40–$19 USD, available September 18, 2025).
• How to Buy:
  • Online: riff.is or vp.eventival.com (Festival Pass, Discount Cards year-round; single tickets from September 18, 2025). Electronic passes activated via email ~September 18.
  • Ticketing Booth: Háskólabíó, opens September 22, 2025, ~10:00–20:00 (cash/card).
  • At Venues: Single tickets available at Háskólabíó/Nordic House, ~30 minutes before screenings (card preferred).
• Note: Non-refundable. Festival Pass is non-transferable; others are transferable via Eventival. Mobile tickets accepted. Student/senior discounts via Youth Passes; no child discounts. Group discounts TBD (contact riff@riff.is).

Cultural Experience

RIFF transforms Reykjavík into a cinematic hub, blending global and Icelandic storytelling. It showcases Iceland’s film heritage through Icelandic Panorama and elevates new voices via New Visions and YouthRIFF. Screenings in unique settings (pools, caves) reflect Iceland’s adventurous spirit, while Industry Days connect filmmakers worldwide. Culinary offerings include Icelandic staples like skyr, lamb soup, and pylsur (hot dogs, ~ISK 500–1,500, ~$3.80–$11.40 USD) at venues or nearby eateries. The festival’s focus on human rights, environmental issues, and youth engagement aligns with Iceland’s progressive ethos, set against Reykjavík’s geothermal pools and volcanic landscapes.

Food & Drinks

• Venue Stalls: Limited food (pylsur, pastries, skyr, ~ISK 500–1,500, ~$3.80–$11.40 USD). Drinks: coffee, soda (~ISK 300–800, ~$2.28–$6.08 USD), beer (~ISK 1,000–2,000, ~$7.60–$15.20 USD, 19+).
• Nearby Dining (Downtown Reykjavík):
  • Sandholt Bakery (Laugavegur 36, pastries, $5–$15 USD, 7-minute walk from Háskólabíó).
  • Icelandic Street Food (Völvufell 19, soups, $8–$12 USD, 10-minute walk).
  • Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Tryggvagata 1, hot dogs, $3–$5 USD, 5-minute walk from Nordic House).
• Note: Card preferred; cash (ISK) for small vendors. No outside food/drinks. Water stations at Háskólabíó/Nordic House.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: YouthRIFF offers films and workshops for ages 3–18 (school screenings, teaching materials). General screenings 15+ unless specified; under 12s need supervision. Guide dogs only.
• Accessibility: Háskólabíó (all rooms) and Nordic House wheelchair-accessible (elevator for Háskólabíó Room 4 via ticketing office). Limited audio descriptions (contact riff@riff.is). Disability parking is free at both venues. Some special event venues (e.g., caves) may have limited access.

Getting There

• By Air: Keflavík International Airport (KEF, 50 km, 45-minute drive, $20–$40 USD taxi). FlyBus/shuttle (~ISK 3,500, ~$26.60 USD, book via riff.is).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Strætó (Háskóli Íslands stop, ~ISK 630, ~$4.80 USD, 5-minute walk to Háskólabíó). App: Straeto.is.
  • Shuttle: Airport to Reykjavík (~ISK 3,500, book via riff.is).
• By Car: Limited parking (~ISK 1,000/day, ~$7.60 USD). Disability parking is free. Carpool advised.
• By Foot/Bike: Walkable venues (Háskólabíó to Nordic House, 7 minutes). Bicycle racks (~10 spaces, free).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Hreyfill (+354-588-5522, $5–$15 USD). Bolt from downtown ($3–$8 USD).

Program Details

• September 2025: Full program announced (riff.is).
• September 25–October 5:
  • Screenings: ~12:00–23:00 (Háskólabíó, Nordic House, other venues). New Visions, Icelandic Panorama, Open Seas, documentaries.
  • YouthRIFF: School screenings, workshops for ages 3–18 (dates TBD, likely September 25–October 5).
  • Industry Days: Panels, masterclasses, Young Nordic Voices Think Tank (TBD, 1–3 days).
  • Special Events: Swim-in cinemas, cave screenings, concerts, exhibitions (TBD).
• Note: All films are in English or with English subtitles. Wristbands required for screenings (Festival Pass/Discount Card). Check riff.is for updates.

Past Notable Features

• 2024: Guests included Nastassja Kinski, Bong Joon-ho, and Björk. Featured “Interstella 5555” screening and Viking saga with metal band Sólstafir.
• 2023: 20th edition; focused on Baltic cinema.
• 2007: Golden Puffin to “Iska’s Journey” (Csaba Bollók). Aki Kaurismäki and Peter Greenaway honored.
• 2004: Founded, initially focused on Icelandic filmmakers abroad.

Educational Impact

• Cultural Learning: YouthRIFF promotes film literacy with age-appropriate films and workshops. Industry Days and Think Tank foster sustainable filmmaking practices.
• Community Engagement: Youth Council (12–16-year-olds) shapes festival programming. Think Tank empowers Nordic youth (18–25) for industry innovation.
• Historical Context: Bridges Icelandic cinema with global indie films, reflecting Reykjavík’s cultural evolution.

Cultural Activities

• Screenings: ~80 features, numerous shorts (New Visions, Icelandic Panorama, documentaries).
• Workshops: YouthRIFF educational projects (filmmaking, critical thinking).
• Industry Events: Panels, masterclasses, networking (Industry Days).
• Special Events: Swim-in cinemas, cave screenings, filmmaker home screenings, concerts, exhibitions.
• Youth Council: Monthly meetings for 12–16-year-olds to plan YouthRIFF.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Festival Passes on sale year-round (riff.is); single tickets from September 18. Hotels fill in September; book 6–12 months. FlyBus via riff.is.
• Weather Prep: 35–45°F, rain possible; bring waterproof jackets, comfortable shoes.
• Explore Locally: Hallgrímskirkja (free, 5-minute walk), Harpa Concert Hall ($5–$10 USD, 7-minute walk), Sun Voyager (free, 10-minute walk).
• Transport: Use Straeto.is an app for buses. Walkable venues. Avoid driving due to limited parking.
• Crowd Tips: Arrive 15–30 minutes early for screenings. Super 8 Card for flexible access. YouthRIFF is less crowded.

Local Attractions

• Hallgrímskirkja: Free, iconic church (5-minute walk from Háskólabíó).
• Harpa Concert Hall: $5–$10 USD (7-minute walk).
• Sun Voyager: Free, sculpture (10-minute walk).
• Perlan Museum: $15 USD (15-minute bus from Háskóli Íslands).
• National Museum of Iceland: $10 USD (7-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Center Hotels Plaza (Aðalstræti 4, $100–$200 USD/night, 7-minute walk).
  • Hotel Reykjavík Saga (Lækjargata 12, $120–$250 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• B&Bs: Guesthouse Aurora (Freyjugata 24, $60–$120 USD/night, 7-minute walk).
• Apartments: Airbnb ($50–$150 USD/night, downtown).
• Note: Book early for September; limited central availability. Discounts via riff.is.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Háskólabíó/Nordic House; Landspítali hospital (15-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks; no glass bottles or professional cameras. Info points for lost items.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (September 2025).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated; supervise children at screenings.