About The Edda Awards and The Academy
ABOUT THE EDDA AWARDS AND THE ICELANDIC FILM AND TELEVISION ACADEMY (IKSA)
The Edda Awards
The Icelandic Film and Television Academy (IKSA) was founded in 1999 and gave its first awards the same year. The awards ceremony is broadcast live each year and has always maintained huge ratings (usually well over 60% of the entire population watches the show).
The project selection process
Initially, all producers of features, documentaries, shorts, TV shows and music videos nominate projects for the selection. Several selection committees watch all the material and decide on the nominations. The members of the Academy's voting registry then vote on the nominations. The general public also participates in the vote through the internet but the public vote only rates 30% against the Academy's members 70%.
To become a member of the Academy's voting registry, one needs to have two credits or more in either film or TV.
The Academy's function
The Academy is a common forum of the associations of Icelandic filmmakers for the purposes of advancing the general interests of the film and TV sector. The Academy's main activity is to hold the annual Edda Awards, the Icelandic film and television awards. The Edda celebrates the achievements in the sector, and its aim is to promote the industry and motivate its members.
IKSA also publishes Land & synir, the filmmakers forum, both as a magazine (twice a year) and as a daily updated website (www.logs.is), publishing news, articles, interviews and various other information on the sector. IKSA also maintains a website dedicated to the EDDA Awards, eddan.is
The Icelandic Film and Television Academy is a registered company owned by the following parties:
- The Icelandic Filmmakers Association (FK)
- SIK - Association of Icelandic Film Producers (SÍK)
- Association of Icelandic Film Directors (SKL)
The Academy's board is appointed by the induvidual boards of these associations, with two representatives from each association. A representative of The Icelandic Film Centre is also a member of the board.
The Academy has enjoyed close collaboration with the industry, including the three largest TV companies.
The present board of the Academy:
- Hilmar Sigurdsson, Chairman
- Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, Secretary
- Snorri Thórisson, Cashier
- Anton Máni Svansson, Member
- Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson, Member
- Ragnar Bragason, Member
- Laufey Gudjónsdóttir, Member
The Academy's address is Hverfisgata 54, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.