The Stockfish Film & Industry Festival proudly announces that filmmaker Ari Kristinsson will be the honorary guest of this year’s festival.

Over several decades, Ari has been one of Iceland’s most influential filmmakers, contributing to the country’s film industry as a cinematographer, producer, editor, screenwriter, and director.

Ari graduated from the New Art Department of the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts in 1979 and later pursued studies at the California Institute of the Arts from 1980 to 1981. After completing his studies, he began working in Icelandic filmmaking and has since contributed to numerous significant films that have shaped Iceland’s cinematic history.

As a cinematographer, Ari has worked on a wide range of films, including Rokk í Reykjavík, Nýtt líf, Löggulíf, Skytturnar, Magnús, Börn náttúrunnar, Bíódagar, Cold Fever, Djöflaeyjan, Myrkrahöfðinginn, Mamma Gógó, and Sumarlandið.

The film Börn náttúrunnar, directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 1992. For the same film, Ari received an award for Best Artistic Contribution at the Montréal World Film Festival. In 2010, he was also nominated for the Edda Awards for his cinematography in Mamma Gógó.

Ari has also played a key role in the development of Iceland’s film industry. He served as chairman of the Icelandic Society of Cinematographers for eight years, chairman of the Association of Icelandic Film Producers for eight years, and was a member of the Icelandic Film Council for eight years. He is also one of the founders of the Icelandic Film and Television Academy. In addition, he was among the founders of Bíó Paradís and served as the cinema’s first chairman of the board. Ari worked as a consultant at the Icelandic Film Center from 2012 to 2020. Ari also worked for the Icelandic production companies; Icelandic Film Corporation , Hrif and Bergmyndir

By honoring Ari Kristinsson, the Stockfish Festival recognises his exceptional contribution to Icelandic filmmaking and his lasting influence on the development of film culture in Iceland.