The proliferation of international film festivals has presented a dichotomy of approach and presentation. On one side, we have less personal, large-scale, premiere-focused events that attract the mainstream elite and the trade magazine spotlight. Conversely, smaller, more intimate experience-led festivals offer genuine connections between films, filmmakers, and audiences. Depending on one’s personality or motivations within the industry, preferences for these events can vary significantly. At Modern Times Review, as a platform focused on authentic connections, we find ourselves drawn to the latter. These intimate gatherings prioritise meaningful interactions over mere transactions, creating a unique atmosphere where connections thrive. Many of our European partner events embody this ethos, such as Palma de Mallorca’s MajorDocs and Skopje’s MakeDox, where conversations flourish under fig trees. Among these experience-centric festivals is IceDocs – the Iceland Documentary Festival.
Akranes
Now in its sixth year, IceDocs has established itself as a standout event in this space. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Iceland’s unique beauty, it takes place in the charming coastal town of Akranes, just 50 kilometres north of Reykjavik. This town, with a population of around 7,000, offers a nostalgic glimpse into 90s Iceland and is the home of Festival Director Ingibjörg Halldórsdóttir. Akranes, originally a fishing hub and now known for concrete production, nestles between the sea and mountains, with traditional corrugated metal-clad houses lining its streets. Notable attractions include the towering Akranes Lighthouse, the Folk History Museum, and the picturesque Art Deco Biohallen cinema, the festival’s primary venue.
From July 17 to 22, Biohallen came alive with daily screenings, showcasing a compact yet thematically diverse selection of short films, international feature documentaries (one international, one local), secret screenings, and youth-oriented films. Despite its modest scale, IceDocs delivers a rich and varied film program for its local enthusiasts, filmmakers, and international guests.
These intimate gatherings prioritise meaningful interactions over mere transactions, creating a unique atmosphere where connections thrive.
Film & Industry
Among the highlights was the opening film Balomania by Sissel Morrell Dargis, exploring the underground culture of hot air balloon enthusiasts in Brazil’s favelas. Hollywoodgate by Ibrahim Nash’at offered a rare glimpse into the Taliban’s world post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Thessaloniki Best Film winner Forest by Lidia Duda followed a Polish family on the edge of Europe’s oldest forest, grappling with the humanitarian crisis at the EU border. Daniel Bjarnason’s When the Mountain Roars revisited the 1995 avalanche disaster and previously won the Audience Award at the Skjaldborg Icelandic Documentary Festival.
Other notable films included Body by Petra Seliškar (who also held a filmmaking masterclass), chronicling 20 years in the life of Urška, a former fashion model turned pianist battling rare autoimmune diseases, and Heartist by Marianna Mørkøre and Beinta á Torkilsheyggi, which profiles contemporary painter Sigrun Gunnarsdóttir. A personal favourite, The Last Year of Darkness by Ben Mullinkosson, captured the vibrant underground club scene in Chengdu, China, amidst rapid urban development.
The festival concluded with Kumjana Novakova’s The Silence of Reason and Steve Eastwood and The Neurocultures Collective’s The Stimming Pool sharing the Main Competition Award. Torn by Simone Hart and Jón H. Geirfinnsson received a Special Mention in the Short Film Competition, while The Rooster Who Laid Eggs by Nina Forsman won the Main Award. The Youth Jury Award went to I’m Not Everything I Want to Be by Klára Tasovská, and the Shorts for Youth Jury Award was given to Nelson the Piglet by Anneke de Lind van Wijngaarden.
On the industry side, IceDocs hosted daily seminars and discussions. Moderated by Helle Hansen, these DocTalk sessions spanned three consecutive days and covered topics ranging from identifying films with local or global appeal to understanding when a concept becomes a film to survival tips for industry professionals. Held in the heart of Akranes, these discussions offered close-knit conversations between industry professionals and Icelandic filmmakers, exploring perspectives from journalists, sales agents, creators, producers, and more.
The seminars were equally diverse, covering an array of topics. Vladan Petkovic discussed writing on documentary films within the current media landscape. Cinephage producer Victor Ede shared his approach to international coproduction with a focus on France, and Autlook Sales Manager Stephanie Fuchs talked about her experiences in world sales. These seminars were structured as open forums, encouraging continued dialogue among participants, following the days earlier DocTalks.
Western Icelandic showcase
However, IceDocs is much more than just films and industry workshops. It is also a showcase of Western Iceland and the town of Akranes. Coming from a relentless heatwave – 42 degrees when I left Bucharest for IceDocs – to a comfortable 12 degrees was a welcome change. IceDocs planned several activities for its guests throughout the festival. These included trips to the country’s famous hot springs, such as the natural Hvammsvik Hot Springs and the Brutalist Guðlaug Baths. A brief hike to the base of Akrfjall mountain was also on the agenda, as was a tour around the picturesque host town. Given Iceland’s popular swimming culture, an indoor swim-in cinema screening of the comedy mockumentary series Ice Guy’s first episode was also featured. For me, simple walks around the town where nary a car is seen, and friendly dogs and cats are plenty, was a welcome change from my usual metropolitan hustle and bustle. As was the top-quality bakery, Kallabakarí.
IceDocs is a film festival that transcends the impersonal, status quo experience of large-scale documentary «institutions,» weaving the cinematic with the cultural in a way that celebrates both the art and craft of documentary filmmaking and the unique charm of its setting. In Akranes, under the ethereal glow of the midnight sun, attendees find themselves spectators and participants in a larger narrative that values authentic human connections and the beauty of shared stories for five straight days. Each film is a viewing experience and an invitation to delve deeper into the human condition, echoing the wild, introspective landscapes surrounding us. IceDocs isn’t merely an event; it’s an odyssey of adventure where the art of film and the soul of Iceland converge.
