Introduction to the film festival
The 23rd edition of the Reykjavík International Film Festival will take place between September 24th and October 4th, 2026.
Iceland’s major annual film event, the main purpose of RIFF is to offer a wide selection of groundbreaking, independent cinema, and to highlight the work of young and emerging filmmakers, by presenting only first and second works in the Grand Prix competition category New Visions. The objective of the festival is to increase general interest in independent cinema, increase the level of cinematic literacy and enrich film culture in Iceland by offering different cross-platform programs.
Awards
Over the years we have screened many outstanding films by brave and artistic voices at RIFF. The ones that show artistic excellence and break barriers will win awards. The films in our New Visions section will compete for the most acclaimed award of the festival: The Golden Puffin, whose recipient will be named Discovery of the Year. An award will be also given the most outstanding film in the documentary competition section A Different Tomorrow. Short films from the participants in the Talent Lab will compete for the Golden Egg. And we also award the best of our national cinema with our Best Icelandic Short and the Best International Short in our International Shorts competitive section.
Rules
We accept fiction, documentary, hybrid, and animation films of any genre, both in the feature (beyond 60 min) and short (under 60 min) forms.
All submissions:
Must have been completed after January 1st, 2025.
Must be at minimum Icelandic premieres (i.e. must not have been screened publicly in Iceland prior to the 2026 festival, including a broadcast version of any length).
Must be in English, or subtitled in English.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-10-07
Submission start time
2026-03-29
Earlybird Deadline
2026-07-22
Regular Deadline
2026-07-22
Submission end time
2026-08-17
Finalist notification start time
2026-08-17
Finalist notification end time
2026-09-24
Award ceremony start time
2026-10-04
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/03/29
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 53 Dollar
2026/07/22
Regular Deadline
Standard: 77 Dollar
2026/03/29
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 53 Dollar
2026/07/22
Regular Deadline
Standard: 77 Dollar
2026/03/29
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 53 Dollar
2026/07/22
Regular Deadline
Standard: 77 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
View in the applet
Follow us
Follow the following platforms
Facebook
Twitter
WeChat
Official Weibo
Beijing Public Network Security No. 11011202000526
