International film festival kicks off today in Reykjavik Iceland

The 7th annual Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) kicks off today in Iceland, with both International and Icelandic films from a wide range of alternative and independent cinema being shown over the space of 11 days.

The Reykjavik International Film Festival began in 2004 by a group of film enthusiasts and professionals who wanted to create an annual international film festival in Reykjavik. The independent film festival has since become one of Iceland’s most popular cultural events.

This year is set to be even more diverse and exciting than ever before as a free conference with American linguist, philosopher, Noam Chomsky, entitled Hopes and Prospects will be taking place. This event is scheduled for the 28th September at 6pm in the University of Iceland Cinema (Háskólabíó). Chomsky will reflect upon the near collapse of the economic system, addressing questions such as: Where we can find hope? What are the alternatives we should be building? and, What can Iceland learn from what happened?

Alongside this, The President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson will be presenting minimalist film director, Jim Jarmusch with the 2010 RIFF Honorary Creative Award. Some of his films include Night On Earth (1991), Dead Man (1995), Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), Broken Flowers (2005) and The Limits Of Control (2009).

Also this year there will be twelve directors from eleven different countries taking place in RIFF’s New Vision category. The New Visions category consists of twelve films: Aardvark, At Ellen´s Age, Attenberg, Fleurs du Mal, Inside America, Jo For Jonathan, The Four Times, Littlerock, Mandoo, Tomorrow, Song of Tomorrow and The Christening, all of which are competing for the main prize, the Golden Puffin award.

To find out more about this year’s Reykjavik International Film Festival, and to view the full schedule, visit http://www.riff.is/EN