An honor to be nominated

Six Icelandic films have been nominated in three categories at this years Nordisk Panorama short and doc film festival, which takes place in Malmö, Sweden, between September 18th to Septermber 23rd this year. Five of which are directed by women. Including the documentary “I want to be Weird” by newcomer Brynja Dögg Friðriksdóttir, who says she’s exhilarated that her first feature film got selected.

“Being nominated in the Best Nordic Documentary is a great honour and I´m looking forward to attend the festival and watching all those nominated films.“
“Being nominated in the Best Nordic Documentary is a great honour and I’m looking forward to attend the festival and watching all those nominated films,“ says Brynja Dögg, one of the six Icelandic directors, who’ve been nominated at the Nordisk Panorama. Never before has the percentage of nominated Icelandic female directors been so high as now.

“It feels great! Just such a great honour,” says Brynja Dögg about the nomination and she has every reason to feel proud, as the annual Nordic festival is considered to be one of the most respected short and documentary film festivals in Europe. Getting a film in to one of the competition’s three categories, Nordic Documentary Award, Nordic Short Film Award or New Nordic Voices Award, is difficult and Brynja admits she’s surprised to have made it.

“As much as I hoped that the film would be selected, when we submitted it, I was also aware that the Nordisk Panorama gets very many films submissions. So at first I didn’t know if it would make it into the competition at all. When we were told that we got into the category Best Nordic Documentary I felt even more honored. I mean it’s not every day you’re competing against Joshua Oppenheimer, Oscar nominated director of The Act of Killing.”

Brynja goes on to say that she’s very happy that the film will be travelling outside of Iceland, because its topic has such a universal appeal. “By that I mean that the film has a strong ‘women can do it’ message. Not only does it follow British artist and local resident Kitty Von-Sometime, who is known for her ongoing art film series “The Weird Girls Project”, which are created to empower women, but most of the documentary’s crew were also women.“

So all these women are behind the film, and all these Icelandic female directors are getting nominated at the same time as the Icelandic film industry has been heavily criticised for overlooking female filmmakers when it comes to funding. Wouldn’t you say that it is a bit, well cynical?

“There are fewer women than men in the Icelandic film industry as elsewhere in the world. Still I think it’s safe
to say that Icelandic Women Filmmakers are a hardworking lot. Many of us are parents, have a regular day job or work on various films and projects within the film industry AND then we do our own films alongside that. I think that there is a strong undercurrent happening because of Icelandic female filmmakers and we are slowly but surely strengthening our position within the industry. Icelandic female filmmakers are more visible than before.“

“…I felt even more honored. I mean it’s not every day you’re competing against Joshua Oppenheimer, Oscar nominated director of The Act of Killing.”

On that note she points out that out of the six Icelandic films nominated in three categories at this years Nordisk Panorama there are five films directed by women, but never before has the percentage of nominated Icelandic female directors been so high as now. “So I guess we are doing something right,” she says with a grin.

“I want to be Weird Girls” documentary follows British artist Kitty Von-Sometime (top photo) who has lived in Iceland for nine years and is known for “The Weird Girls Project”. Filming took four and a half-years.
The documentary “I want to be Weird” follows British artist Kitty Von-Sometime (top photo) who has lived in Iceland for nine years and is known for her women empowering episodes “The Weird Girls Project”. Filming took four and a half-years. Photo shows women preparing for one of Kitty’s episodes.

Brynja adds that being a documentary filmmaker in Iceland is generally a struggle, regardless of whether you’re a woman or not. “But there has been a drastic change in the quality of documentaries in say the last 10 years or so and I would say Icelandic documentary filmmaking is on the rise. More films are produced every year and they’re traveling to many film festivals outside of Iceland. So generally things are moving forward and one day documentary filmmaking in Iceland might become more than a hobby for most of us.“

But now that you’ve been nominated, it’s probably going to affect your film and your career as a director?

“Seeing that the Nordisk Panorama is both an audience and industry film festival I hope that it will get the documentary noticed not only by film goers but also by broadcasters and other film festival programmers. At the end of the day you want as many people to see you film as possible, you want your story to inspire or move people or even inspire someone to go out there and make a documentary. That’s the mission.“

The full list of the nominees

14 documentaries compete for the Nordic Documentary Award:

Denmark
Democrats by Camilla Nielsson
The Look of Silence by Joshua Oppenheimer
The Man Who Saved the World by Peter Anthony

Finland
In Dependence (Yläkerran Tuula) by Henriikka Hemmi
Leaving Africa (Hyvästi Afrikka) by Iiris Härmä
Pixadores by Amir Escandari

Iceland

A still from Kitchen Sink Revolution.
A still from Kitchen Sink Revolution.

I Want to be Weird by Brynja Dögg Friðriksdóttir
Kitchen Sink Revolution (Hvað er svona merkilegt við það) by Halla Kristín Einarsdóttir

Norway

Drone by Tonje Hessen Schei
Inside Fur (Pels) by Ola Waagen
Maiko – Dancing Child (Maikos dans) by Åse Svenheim Drivenes

Sweden
Blood Sisters (Blodssystrar) by Malin Andersson
Martha & Niki by Tora Mårtens
Pervert Park by Lasse Barkfors & Frida Matilda Barkfors

14 short films compete for the Nordic Short Film Award:

Denmark
Heaven by Josefine Kirkeskov Nielsen
Teenland by Marie Grahtø Sørensen
Tsunami by Sofie Nørgaard Kampmark

Finland
Clumsy Little Acts of Tenderness (Pieniä kömpelöitä hellyydenosoituksia) by Miia Tervo
Listen by Hamy Ramezan & Rungano Nyoni
Mercy All the Way (Säälistäjät) by Hannaleena Hauru

Iceland
The Pride of Strathmoor by Einar Baldvin
You and Me (Þú og ég) by Ása Hjörleifsdóttir

Norway
Grandmother’s House (Bestemors hus) by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen
High Point by Emil Trier
UpSide Down (OppNed) by Pål Øie

Sweden
09:55-11:05 Ingrid Ekman, Bergsgatan 4B by Cristine Berglund & Sophie Vukovic
Kung Fury by David Sandberg
Northern Great Mountain (Stoerre Vaerie) by Amanda Kernell

14 films compete for the New Nordic Voices Award:

Denmark
By Any Means A-Veilable (Slør – Niquab ni soumise) by Charlotte Schiøler
Goodnight Birdy (Enkebal) by Zara Zerny
Machine by Sunit Parekh-Gaihede

Finland
Just a Name (Naisen nimi) by Tiina Lymi
Sons (Pojat) by Isabella Karhu
The Guardian (Valvoja) by Pietari Bagge, Christer Hongisto, Elisa Ikonen & Inka Matilainen

Iceland
Playing with Balls (Tvíliðaleikur) by Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
Zelos by Thoranna Sigurdardottir

Norway
Belles-Lettres (Mannen er en morder) by Liv Joelle Barbosa Blad
Bird Hearts (Fuglehjerter) by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
This Place is Every Place (Dette er alle steder) by Ane Hjort Guttu

Sweden
Mazda by Alexis Almström
The Birthday Present (Födelsedagspresenten) by Tobias Rydén Sjöstrand
Transphobia by Nur Tutal & Iván Blanco

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

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Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

Webpage/vefsetur

Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

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