Stockfish 2026 Awards
tockfish Film and Industry Festival Concludes Successfully
The Stockfish Film and Industry Festival concluded last weekend with a diverse and successful program. The festival featured film screenings with Ireland in focus, alongside workshops, panel discussions, and masterclasses for industry professionals and film enthusiasts.
The winners of the Sprettfiskur awards were announced at a ceremony last Saturday, where outstanding short films were recognized by the jury. The awards are supported by RÚV and Kukl.
Katla Sólness received two awards for her short film Embla: Best Narrative Short Film and the Eva María Daniels Award for Outstanding Filmmaking. The latter is presented in memory of the esteemed Icelandic filmmaker and producer Eva María Daniels. The award includes a grant of ISK 1.5 million to support future projects.
The following awards were presented:
Short Documentary Category
Icelandic Hercules – directed by Orri Guðmundsson
Music Video Category
GKR – Stælar – directed by Magnús Andersen
Experimental Category
Smokebreak – directed by Rakel Andrésdóttir
Special Mention – Experimental Category
SAGES – directed by Þóra Hilmarsdóttir
Special Mention – Music Video Category
Monsters of Men – Television Love – directed by Erlendur Sveinsson
This year’s Honorary Award was presented to Ari Kristinsson for his outstanding contribution to Icelandic cinema. He was also specially honored by the Icelandic Cinematographers Association for his work and influence on the craft. In recognition of his achievements, the film Children of Nature, for which Ari served as cinematographer, was screened during the festival.
The festival concluded with a packed program at the Nordic House. On Saturday, a well-attended industry conference brought together film professionals to discuss the current state and future of the Icelandic film industry. Discussions were lively, with strong concerns raised about high unemployment within the sector. It was emphasized that in order to strengthen the industry, the film production reimbursement rate should be increased to 35% across all projects, compared to the current 25% (and 35% only for the largest productions). Calls were also made for increased funding for the Icelandic Film Centre and for financing a television fund, which is currently empty.
It was noted that the Icelandic Film Fund is currently only about one-third the size of comparable funds such as the Research Fund and the Innovation Fund, which were once on equal footing. Research was also cited indicating that for every króna invested in filmmaking, multiple returns are generated for the national treasury. Critical voices were raised regarding a perceived lack of interest and understanding from the government toward the industry.
A subsequent panel featured representatives from Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland, including the newly appointed head of the Greenland Film Institute, Inunnguaq Petrussen. The discussion highlighted a strong desire to strengthen collaboration across these countries, including the possibility of a cross-border funding scheme similar to those available to musicians.
On the festival’s final day, Sunday, a well-attended children’s program took place at the Nordic House, featuring representatives from Tulipop and Ormhildarsaga. At Bíó Paradís, the film Joan of Arc by Hlynur Pálmason premiered and is now in general release. Audiences were also offered a unique cinematic experience with a 7.5-hour screening of Satantango by Béla Tarr, who passed away this year.
Once again, the Stockfish Festival has proven its value as an important platform for filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike, and the organizers look forward to welcoming guests again next year.