Iceland at Nordisk Panorama
Seven Icelandic film projects will participate at this year's Nordisk Panorama. Three films will screen at the festival itself and four will pitch in the Nordisk Panorama Forum. The 30th edition of the festival will run from September 19 - 24.
Best Nordic Documentary
The Vasulka Effect is one of 14 films in the Nordic Documentary Competition.
Pioneers of video art, The Vasulkas are lifetime hackers and grandparents of the “YouTube” generation. They are struggling in their retirement years to archive their body of work. By a fluke they are rediscovered by the art world that had forgotten them. People and institutions are all of a sudden fighting over who will represent them when they are gone.
Director: Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir
Production company: Sagafilm Production, Krumma Films
Iceland/Czech Republic/Denmark, 2019, 90 min.
The Best Nordic Documentary Award is presented by the documentary jury. The award goes to the director(s) of the film. The prize sum is 11,000 € and is sponsored by the Nordic public broadcasters DR, YLE, RUV, NRK and SVT.
Best New Nordic Voice
Turn is one of 12 films in The New Nordic Voice competition.
On the thirteenth day of Christmas, three girlfriends take a weekend trip to a cabin in the Icelandic wilderness. Figures from Icelandic folklore appear and their holiday turns into a waking nightmare.
Production company: NyArk Media
Iceland/Finland, 2018, 19 min.
The New Nordic Voice competition introduces promising Nordic filmmakers. The works have not previously been screened in the Nordisk Panorama competition programme, and selected films are among the first releases by the filmmaker. Prize: 5.000€ (Sponsored by Film i Skåne and AVEK)
Best Nordic Short Film
To Plant a Flag is one of 20 films in The Best Nordic Short Film competition.
In preparation for the moon landing in 1969, NASA sent a team of astronauts to the lunar-like landscapes of Iceland. Their hi-tech training mission hit an unexpected obstacle when they come up against an Icelandic sheep farmer.
Director: Bobbie Peers
Production company: Ape&Björn, Zik Zak Filmworks
Norway/Iceland, 2018, 15 min.
The Best Nordic Short Film Award is presented by the short film jury. The prize-winning film will qualify for consideration in the Short Film Category of the Annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided that the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules. The award goes to the director(s) of the film. The prize sum of 6,000 € is sponsored by Nordisk Panorama
Nordisk Panorama Forum
Nordisk Panorama Forum is the annual meeting place and funding event for Nordic documentary professionals, looking to connect with a variety of Nordic and international decision-makers from TV, film institutes and regional film funds.
The Icelandic projects participating in Nordisk Panorama Forum are as follows:
Full Steam Ahead
Different generations of women give us
rare insights into their world and what it
takes to survive in the geothermal industry,
a male-dominated field. The women
share their struggles and successes, and
the changes that have taken place in the
workplace over the years.
Director Gréta Ólafsdóttir, Susan Muska
Production company Bless Bless Production
Pitch section
Contact
Gréta Ólafsdottir (blessbless@me.com)
Out of the Darkness
Why do we feel the need to carry the weight of our existence by ourselves? Why do we hide our troubled thoughts and vulnerabilities, and pretend that we are okay? This film explores the taboos about suicide and shines a light on the feelings of guilt and shame that thoughts of suicide give rise to.
Director Titti Johnson, Helgi Felixson
Production company Iris Film
Observer+ section
Contact
Helgi Felixson (helgi@felixfilm.se)
When We Dance
A feature length documentary about a journey of creativity when Icelandic - Italian musician Emilíana Torrini collaborates with Belgian band, The Colorist Orchestra.
Director Helga Rakel Rafnsdóttir
Production company Tattarrattat
Observer+ section
Contact: Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdóttir (anna@tatt.is)
Raise the Bar - Wildcard Iceland
This is a story of girls struggling and preparing to brake down cultural barriers. To do that they need to be emotionally intelligent and extremely fit. They are challenging basketball culture in Iceland, led by an unusual coach, who constantly raises the bar. The parents do not always understand what is going on and the Icelandic Basketball federation is puzzled.
Director Gudjón Ragnarsson
Production company Sagafilm Production
Pitch section
Contact: Sagafilm@sagafilm.is