28/09/2009

Iceland might be experiencing bleak times, but its capital is nonetheless buzzing with activity and energy, as a record number of admissions (22,000) were registered at the 6th Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF), which closed last night.

Professionals from around the world were in town to attend the festival, as well as two other events that coincided with RIFF: the international conference You Are in Control (YAIC), on the latest digital business developments and investments available in music, media and the arts; and the Nordic documentary festival Nordisk Panorama, which kicked off on Friday.

Over 100 films were screened in 14 different sections during the ten days of RIFF, at the end of which the jury, presided by Danish actress Iben Hjeljle, gave the Golden Puffin, or Discovery Award, to Canadian film I Killed my Mother by Xavier Dolan.

Sweden’s Fredrik Ekdfelt picked up the FIPRESCI Prize for his The Girl [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fredrik Edfeldt
film profile]; Norwegian film Together [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Matias Armand Jordal won the Church of Iceland Award; the Icelandic Red Cross Award went to Umoja: Where Men are Forbidden; and the RIFF Environmental Award was presented to Brice Lainé’s UK/Togo co-production The Dancing Forest.