Revolution Reykjavik goes to Poland

Its official! "Revolution Reykjavik" will screen in Bialystok, Poland at the Zubroffka International Short Film Festival between December 5 and 9th, along with a selection of Icelandic Short Films.  The event is co-presented by the Reykjavik Shorts and Docs Film Festival, where "Revolution Reykjavik" screened earlier this year.

Revolution Reykjavik qualifies to compete for Best Live Action Short at 2013 Oscar Awards

Much to our excitement, "Revolution Reykjavik" is on a list of short films that have qualified to compete for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 85th Academy Awards.   Let us be clear though, that before moving forward, the film must be short-listed by the Academy.   Only time (say, a few weeks or so) will tell if that actually happens.    In the meantime, feel free to browse the list:  http://www.imdb.com/list/ia6ec_BCC5A/

Update - December 2012:  "Revolution Reykjavik" did not make onto the Academy's Shortlist -- but our friends Nick Greene and Julie Buck did -- with their amazing film "Salar."   We recommend you check it out!

CLEAN invited to Helsinki, Finland

Our film, CLEAN has been invited to the Helsinki Short Film Festival, where it will screen on November 16th, as part of "Peaks of the World."   Meanwhile, our debut film, FAMILY REUNION  will entertain audiences at the Interfilm Festival in Berlin.

Revolution Reykjavik honored with Best Short Film Award at Seminci in Valladolid Spain

We are overly thrilled to announce our win at the prestigious Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid, otherwise known as Seminci!  The director was flown over on a few hours notice, arriving in Spain less than 24 hours after receiving the news.   An awards ceremony followed, broadcast live on Spanish television, after which much cocktail-partying ensued.   By 4AM she was back on route to Iceland.   The shortest film festival experience ever, but perhaps the most rewarding.

The Spanish media has covered the event extensively:

http://es.paperblog.com/la-revolucion-del-dia-a-dia-en-utras-reykjavik--1534782/

http://es.paperblog.com/la-57-seminci-se-despide-en-su-gala-de-clausura-1534255/

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1630771/0/

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20121027/caballos-dios-nabil-ayouc-espiga-oro-57-edicion-seminci/571894.shtml

http://www.escribiendocine.com/noticias/57-seminci-todos-los-ganadores

Awarded Honorary Distinction of the Jury in Greece

"Revolution Reykjavik" was recently awarded the Honorary Distinction of the Jury at the 18th International Short Film Festival in Drama, held in Greece.  As stated by the jury:  "For the lucid approach of the dramatic way in which the global economic crisis affects European middle class."
Well,  σας ευχαριστώ Greece!

For more, please visit:  http://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/35th/index.php/en/home/199-awards18.html

Revolution Reykjavik covered in book on Icelandic cinema published in the UK

Editor Jez Conolly writes:

In documenting Iceland’s banking collapse few films have captured the loss of personal dignity suffered by many citizens as starkly and acutely as Isold Uggadottir’s excellent short. 
In a mere eighteen minutes this short film captures the heart and soul of a proud Icelander, initially caught in the intoxicating fumes of false prosperity then crushed in the aftermath of the un-imaginable economic crash. Caught in a storm of sudden unemployment, the unveiling of a deceitful corporate and political web deconstructs the ideology of a loyal follower of the Icelandic Independent Party, and the

Icelandic business model as presented by the shepherds leading the herd at the height of prosperity. Gudfinna, like the wounded sheep left to die in the wake of the shepherd’s abandonment, is filled with quiet anger fumed by her wounded pride, a pride irreparably damaged and shattered in the wake of the individual’s economic death. The stern pride of a woman whose generation is no stranger to economic instability and brought up to believe in the value of hard work, is erased in the first months of the recession. This symbol of the Icelandic national character is the epicentre of the film, written and directed by Ísold Uggadóttir and first premiered at the ‘Reykjavik International Film Festival’ (RIFF) in 2011.    See:  World Film Locations:  Reykjavik

Family Reunion goes to Berlin

Family Reunion (Góðir gestir) is heading to INTERFILM in Berlin where it will screen as part of the program "Bright Prospects" on November 15 - 18th, 2012.     Viel SpaB, meine Freunde!

Interviewed in Spain

Following, is an interview conducted by the Valladolid International Film Festival, also known as Seminci or Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid.

La directora islandesa presenta Últrás Reykjavík (Revolución Reikiavik), el drama de una mujer empleada en un banco que pierde su empleo debido a la crisis. Un cortometraje que se proyectará dentro de la Sección Oficial del festival el día 21 de octubre en el Teatro Calderón.

La protagonista principal se avergüenza de su situación, ¿es un reflejo de la sociedad europea?

El orgullo es una característica que tiene la mayoría de la gente, si bien es cierto que algunos más que otros. A los europeos, como a cualquier persona del mundo, les gustaría ser vistos como independientes y con éxito y por lo tanto, cuando vienen malos tiempos algunas personas eligen minimizar sus efectos en un intento por conservar su orgullo.

¿Sería la misma película si tuviera otro trabajo?

Gudfinna, la protagonista, es un personaje que se ha dedicado en cuerpo y alma a su trabajo y al status que cree que esto le aporta. Por eso, cuando falla tanto su empresa como el partido político que apoya su visión de la vida cambia. Sin esto la historia de la película habría cogido una dirección diferente, quizás ella no hubiera trabajado en un banco.

¿Quién es el responsable de la crisis?

Como es de esperar, no todo el mundo estará de acuerdo con el origen de la crisis. En mi opinión, la cosa está clara. En el caso de Islandia, y de cualquier país, es el surgimiento del capitalismo apoyado por nuestros partidos conservadores que tuvieron el poder desde 1991 hasta 2009, que lideraron la desregularización, la privatización de los bancos y, debido a un incomprensiblemente exceso, crearon una burbuja que no podía más que explotar. 

Cuando los gobiernos tienen que llevar a cabo recortes siempre afectan a la cultura, ¿cree que el cine también está en crisis?

Estoy orgulloso poder decir que los cineastas islandeses lucharon contra los recortes en el cine provocados por la crisis de 2008. Fueron capaces de demostrar que el arte y la cultura no sólo son importantes socialmente sino también económicamente. Las películas y la música no sólo crean puestos de trabajo y conciencia de país, también atraen a muchos turistas.

¿Qué representa para usted poder participar en la Seminci?

Es un gran honor ser seleccionado para la Seminci, aunque desearía haber podido ir en persona. Espero que el público disfrute con la película y con el programa de este maravilloso festival.

Official Selection of Valladolid in Spain

Yay!  We are going to Spain.  (or at least "Revolution Reykjavik" is.)  We are proud to have been selected for the prestigious La Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid.

Official selection of Hamptons International!

Official selection of the International Short Film Festival in Drama (Greece)

"Revolution Reykjavik" is on route to Greece!   We are proud to have been selected for the 18th International Short Film Festival in Drama, taking place in Athens Greece in mid-September.   The festival qualifies selected films for consideration for the European Film Academy Awards.  

Invited to screenwriting lab in Los Angeles

Beginning September 6th 2012, Isold Uggadottir will be based in Los Angeles where she was invited to attend a 5-week screenwriting lab, hosted by Film Independent, with the goal of further developing her feature screenplay, "Icelandic Woman on the Verge Project." (working title)

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. 

Past Screenwriting Lab projects include Robbie Pickering’s Natural Selection (2012 Spirit Award Nominee, Best First Feature; Winner SXSW Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award) Suzi Yoonessi’s Dear Lemon Lima, (2009 Los Angeles Film Festival), Beth Schacter’s Normal Adolescent Behavior (2007 Tribeca Film Festival), Scott Prendergast’s Kabluey (2007 Los Angeles Film Festival), Minh Nguyen-Vo’s Buffalo Boy (Vietnam’s entry to the 2007 Academy Awards), and V. Prasad’s Ocean of Pearls.

Telluride, baby

It came as elating news.  But could not be shared.  At Telluride the schedule is top-secret until all filmmakers involved are safely tucked away in the mountains.  And then -- at last -- word may slowly begin slipping out.   -- So here we finally are; "Revolution Reykjavik" surrounded by the likes of Michael Haneke, Errol Morris (exec producing the intense film "The Act of Killing"), Ramin Bahrani, Noah Baumbach and more.   Suffice it to say;  yours truly is stoked.

Cine Qua Non Screenwriting Residency (hidden gem)

Cine Qua Non is a hidden gem in Mexico, which yours truly was fortunate enough to have been invited to attend.  For two weeks in August, ten international filmmakers had the opportunity to work with seasoned professionals on the further development of their feature screenplays.  (without interference of telephones, internets (sic) or any other modern-day distractions, in which we have lead ourselves to believe that we cannot be without.)  Cine Qua Non in Michoacán, Mexico is a place like no other.

Invitation to Vilnius, Lithuania

Much to our excitement, "Revolution Reykjvaik" is an official selection of the  Vilnius International Shorts Festival held in Vilnius, Lithuania between September 6th and 9th.  

Official selection of Rhode Island International

We are honored that "Revolution Reykjavik" was selected for the Rhode Island International Film Festival, which took place in early August.  

Press in the Ukraine

For those interested, here is a bit of Ukranian press, after Uggadottir served on the jury of the oh-so-charming Wiz-Art Film Festival in Lviv, along with Vincent Moon and Illia Gladhtein.
(as you read further, now would be a good time to brush up on your Ukrainian)

• http://doublevisionmagazine.com/mizhnarodnyj-festyval-wiz-art/
• http://www.azh.com.ua/kino/wiz-art2012

Family Reunion, Clean & Revolution Reykjavik invited to the Ukraine!

Revolution Reykjavik is an official selection of Dokufest in Kosova!

Screenwriting grant in the house

The Icelandic Film Centre awards another screenwriting grant (#2) to our forthcoming feature.   This means, the screenwriter will be able to eat this summer.   We thank them deeply for supporting the work.

Revolution Reykjavik sold to Icelandic National Broadcaster. We have contract to prove it. (but that is not my hand)

Revolution Reykjavik invited to Northside

"Revolution Reykjavik" wins Best Narrative Short Film at Athens International Film + Video Festival

Last month "Revolution Reykjavik" competed at the Athens International Film + Video Festival, where it received the top prize for Best Narrative Short Film, much to our surprise and delight.

To further our excitement, this award qualifies the film for Academy Award consideration in the Short Film Category.  Their rules state:  The film must have won a qualifying award at a competitive film festival, as specified in the Academy Festival List. 

Much gratitude goes to those nice jury members of Athens International.  We like their taste.

Official selection of the Huesca International Film Festival in Spain

Official selection of the Seattle International Film Festival

Official selection of the Maryland Film Festival

Revolution Reykjavik has been selected for the Maryland Film Festival, where it will precede the award-winning Icelandic feature film "Volcano." (Director's Fortnight, Cannes 2012)  Screenings will take place at the Charles Theater in Baltimore on May 4th and 6th.

Maryland Film Festival is an annual four-day event that takes place the first weekend of each May, presenting top-notch film and video work from all over the world.

"The Maryland Film Festival is an essential stop in the festival circuit." - David Simon, Creator & Executive Producer, "The Wire"

MoMA programmers highlight REVOLUTION REYKJAVIK at New Directors/New Films

  

"Very often we would have a short filmmaker come one year and then a couple of years later they would have expanded that film or come with a new feature.

So I think for those looking to spot new talent or those to keep an eye on, the short film programs are really very excellent this year. One of the films that is probably one of the best embodiments of how the economic catastrophe is impacting real people’s lives is Revolution Reykjavik, since Iceland was one of the first countries having a total economic breakdown.

It’s very interesting to see how that now has been absorbed and what can now begin to come out of that situation. Of course, there are other really excellent shorts, but it is really amazing to see a short film that can grapple with that problematic issue so well."

http://www.filmlinc.com/blog/entry/moma-programmers-talk-new-directors-new-films-2012

"What inspired REVOLUTION REYKJAVIK: Director interviewed by the Film Society of Lincoln Center

http://www.filmlinc.com/blog/entry/bitching-about-politics-on-facebook-isold-uggadottirs-revolution-reykjavik

Official selection of Athens International Film + Video Festival

We are honored to announce our selection for the Athens International Film + Video Festival 2012. The Athens International Film and Video Festival was founded in 1974, and since then has presented independent films from around the world. The Festival is sponsored by the Athens Center for Film and Video, a project of the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University.

"Revolution Reykjavik" will screen on April 18th at Athena Cinema. 

Selected for the Nashville Film Festival

We are very excited to have been selected for the Nashville Film Festival this year.  NaFF is one of only 24 film festivals in the United States designated as an Academy Award- qualifying festival for short films, meaning that winners of the narrative and animation short competitions are automatically qualified for Academy Award consideration.

"Revolution Reykjavik" will screen in Nashville from April 19 - 26th.

Official selection of the Ankara International Film Festival March 15 - 22nd

"
Revolution Reykjavik" made its way to Turkey last month, where it screened at the renowned Ankara International Film Festival.  Unfortunately, we could not be there in person, but are determined to make  our way over, for the next one.

"Revolution Reykjavik" is a proud selection of ND/NF hosted by MoMa and the Lincoln Center

"Revolution Reykjavík" will hold its official New York premiere at the renowned festival New Directors/New Films presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art.

Dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent, the festival will screen 12 short films and 29 features from a highly competitive selection of films.   Pedro Almodóvar, Kelly Reichardt, Atom Egoyan, Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Sally Potter, John Sayles, Steven Spielberg, Wim Wenders and Wong Kar Wai were all featured as part of New Directors/New Films early in their careers.

"Revolution Reykjavik" is the closing film in shorts program #2,
 screening on March 31 and April 1st.


Follow @RevReykjavik

Revolution Reykjavik nominated for Icelandic Academy Awards 2012

We are thrilled to announce that "Revolution Reykjavik" (Útrás Reykjavík) has been nominated as Short Film of the Year at the Icelandic Film & Television Academy Awards 2012. (Eddan)   // ( english version here)

No less exciting is the fact that our actress Lilja Thórisdóttir was nominated for Best Actress in a leading roll.   Results will be revealed at the awards ceremony on February 18th.  We have begun crossing fingers and toes.

Check out our Facebook Page for "Revolution Reykjavik."

Food for thought

For my lovely friends, colleagues and viewers. 

Revolution Reykjavik competes at Northern Wave International Film Festival

We are proud to announce our selection for the Northern Wave International Film Festival. "Revolution Reykjavik" (Utras Reykjavik) will compete for Best Icelandic Short 2012. Details to follow.

Our films to be broadcast on RÚV, Iceland's national TV - February 5th 2012.

Family Reunion, Committed (Njálsgata) and Clean will be on the air Sunday, February 5th on the Icelandic National Broadcasting Network, RÚV. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for a discussion with the director, following each film. The program is part of the Kviksjá-series, hosted by Sigrídur Pétursdóttir.

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"Revolution Reykjavik" competes for Nordic Independent Film Awards

"Revolution Reykjavik" is an official selection of the Minimalen Short Film Festival where it will compete for the Nordic Independent Film Awards.  See also Icelandic Film Centre.

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21st Century for "Revolution Reykjavik"

No 9 Productions has entered the 21st century with its film, "Revolution Reykjavik."

Come, follow the revolution on Twitter.

And/or distract yourself further with us on Facebook .