Reykjavik International Film Festival

Bíó Íslands

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Arts & CultureReykjavík
DatesDates TBA · Usually AutumnCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
CrowdLargeAbout 100,000 people
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsRIFF's City of Lights strand, honoring one
Language["is"]Currency: ISK
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Reykjavik International Film Festival in Reykjavík

Founded in September 2004 by Hronn Marinosdottir and a group of film enthusiasts, RIFF is an eleven-day, non-profit autumn film festival held across downtown Reykjavik cinemas. Known for championing independent and international cinema over blockbuster fare, it has hosted honorary guests including Milos Forman, Werner Herzog, and Jim Jarmusch, pairing Icelandic premieres with imported arthouse titles.

Hronn Marinosdottir and a small group of film professionals founded the Reykjavik International Film Festival in September 2004, aiming to build an autumn showcase for adventurous international cinema in a country whose commercial screens rarely carried anything beyond blockbusters.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

RIFF's City of Lights strand, honoring one filmmaker working outside the mainstream studio system each year, is the festival's signature curatorial device and distinguishes it from generic international showcases

02

The mystery stays covered

Screenings concentrate around Bio Paradis, Iceland's dedicated arthouse cinema, keeping the whole event walkable within central Reykjavik rather than spread across a sprawling venue network

03

The city starts moving

The festival runs in late September into October, exactly as Icelandic daylight hours are contracting fast toward winter darkness, and organizers schedule late-night screening blocks that lean into that seasonal shift rather than working around it

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The City of Lights honorary strand

Water and renewal

Living ritual

spotlighting one filmmaker working outside mainstream studio cinema each year

The sacred route

Living ritual

has become the festival's recurring signature since its early editions

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Autumn

Getting around

Use Reykjavik transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Warm layers and a waterproof jacket, since late-September evenings in Reykjavik are cold and screenings often run past midnight with walks between cinema venues.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Reykjavik, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["is"] · ISK

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map64.14 N, 21.90 WOpen in Google Maps

Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Nearest airportKEF — Keflavik
TransportUse Reykjavik transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Reykjavik, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Reykjavík via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Reykjavík, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearWarm layers and a waterproof jacket, since late-September evenings in Reykjavik are cold and screenings often run past midnight with walks between cinema venues.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Iceland and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Reykjavik International Film Festival?

Reykjavik International Film Festival is listed for Multiple months · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Reykjavik International Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Reykjavík, Iceland. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

How big is it?

Large: 100000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwhatson.is
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Autumn
Source statusOfficial source linked
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