Transatlantic Talent Laboratory

RIFF's Talent Laboratory is for young talents from Europe and America where they are given the chance to meet up in Reykjavík and experience what is going on in film making on the other side of the ocean. The main objective of the Talent Laboratory is to help young filmmakers make first hand contacts with film producers and other professionals who can help and consult them with their first feature film.

The Talent Laboratory will last for 4 days, during which the filmmakers will participate in master classes and discussions with already established names within the film industry. Education and entertainment will go hand in hand. The schedule will be packed with great films, workshops, events and seminars.

The transatlantic talent laboratory is inspired by Iceland's location just between Europe and North-America. A location that can bridge the gap between the two continents, geographically and culturally.

Talents planning their first feature or other project will be given the chance to pitch their films project to experienced producers that attend the festival. Furthermore talents are offered to send in their short film or documentary and compete for the Golden Egg, a reward specially designed to encourage young filmmakers. A selection of the submitted works will be screened at the festival.

What participants say of the RIFF Talent Lab?

“RIFF Talent Lab is an amazing experience from many points of view... The master classes offer the opportunity to learn but also to interact with top professionals of the main aspects of film making; the working group of young but already operating international filmmakers gives the chance first of all to meet each other and networking, but also to know better the cinematographic realities in other countries; the festival proposes a stimulating selection of movies. Last, but not least you are in such a wonderful island, so particular and beautiful that I will never forget it!!!”

"The Talent Laboratory of the Reykjavik International Film Festival was most inspiring and worthwhile for me. Especially I appreciated the great atmosphere among the participants, the interesting program and the chance to make contacts to people of the filming industry. After having so many great new impulses coming out of this experience I wish there was a "future RIFF allumni talent lab" right away next year I could attend!"

“Thank you very much for an unforgettable week(end) with great, creative and inspiring people from all over the world! Thanks for this unique opportunity to learn, exchange and do some networking. I will definitely come back to the RIFF and to beautiful Iceland :o)!”

“The days in Talent Lab just flew by. There was always someone interesting to talk to, a workshop to attend or a movie to watch. An intense, unforgettable experience.”