Shortfish 2025
The goal of the competition is to draw attention to aspiring and versatile Icelandic filmmakers and encourage future achievements with prizes that lay the foundation for the next project.
The Rewards are supported by KUKL Rental and the Icelandic broadcaster RÚV. Winners will be included in RÚV VOD this year. The contenders will compete in four categories divided into Fiction, Documentary, Experimental & Artistic Music Video Projects.
The Eva Maria Daniels Award also reward the best producer or director with a 1.500.000 isk cash award.
Many thanks to our sponsors!
Narrative
- KUKL 1.000.000 ISK – In house rental
- RÚV 1.000.000 ISK – cash
Documentary
- KUKL 500.000 ISK – In house rental
- RÚV 500.000 ISK – cash
Experimental
- KUKL 250.000 ISK – In house rental
- RÚV 250.000 ISK – cash
Creative Music Video
- KUKL 250.000 ISK – In house rental
- RÚV 250.000 ISK – cash
JURY 2025
We thank all the outstanding individuals who served on the Sprettfiskur 2025 jury. All judges have extensive experience in the field, both in Iceland and internationally, and their contributions are invaluable to us.
Narrative Films: Gagga Jónsdóttir, Ísold Uggadóttir & Erlingur Óttar Thoroddsen
Documentaries: Rut Sigurðardóttir, Smári Gunn & Anna Dís Ólafsdóttir
Experimental Films: Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir, Jóní Jónsdóttir, Sighvatur Ómar Kristinsson
Music Videos: Barði Jóhannsson, Kolfinna Nikulásardóttir, Ása Dýradóttir
Many thanks to our sponsors!
rules for submission
- The films can be maximum 30 minutes length and should not have been produced before 2023. The Icelandic premiere is required to be at Stockfish Festival 2024.
- Films will only be considered if the author, director and/or main producer is Icelandic.
- Icelandic music videos are only considered If the director is Icelandic and the music needs to be made to an original song.
- Submissions are free of charge and executed through FilmFreeway.
- 20 short films will be shown during the festival, 5 projects will be selected to compete in each category.
JURY
Narrative: Silja Hauksdóttir, Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson & María Reyndal
Documentary: Jörundur Ragnarsson, Daiga Livcane & Helga Rakel Rafnsdóttir
Experimental: Helena Jónsdóttir, Thomas Brennan & Gústav Geir Bollason
Creative Music Video: Ninna Pálmadóttir, Vytautas Dambrauskas & Katrín Björgvinsdóttir
narrative 2025
Rísandi
Director: Samúel Lúkas
Producers: Samúel Lúkas og Jóna Gréta Hilmarsdóttir
Length: 17:06 mín
Synopsis: Adam, a young and aspiring actor, finds a threatening note on his car, throwing everything into turmoil just before an important audition and a major TV interview.
RÉTTSTAÐA
Directors: Jóna Gréta Hilmarsdóttir
Producers: Jóna Gréta Hilmarsdóttir og Kárason Þormar
Length: 11:09 min
Synopsis: Dagur, a young car salesman, struggles to meet society’s expectations of masculinity. When a dangerous man threatens his girlfriend Brynja, he freezes in fear and shame. To salvage his pride, he lies to his coworkers, claiming he defended her heroically.
MERKI
Director: Rúnar Ingi Einarsson
Producer: Ingimar Guðbjartsson
Length: 13:30 min
Synopsis: During an entrance exam for drama school, Anna must confront emotional turmoil from her past—or risk losing her lifelong dream.
Í takt
Director: Hanna Hulda Hafþórsdóttir
Producer: Hanna Hulda Hafþórsdóttir
Length: 11:23 min.
Synopsis: Kara and Jenný have been best friends since kindergarten, but suddenly, Jenný is spending time with a new group at school. Kara tries to fit in but fails in a humiliating way. The following day, a dance competition will determine the future of their friendship.
Ramminn
Director: Óskar Þór Ámundason
Producers: Kolbeinn Gauti Friðriksson og Óskar Þór Ámundason
Length: 16:39 min
Synopsis: Eva and Halldór’s mother has stopped speaking since falling ill. Eva has been taking care of her with the help of nurse Védís, but when Halldór visits, the household balance is disrupted with unforeseen consequences.
Documentary 2025
Húsið í Dnipro
Directors: Steiní Kristinsson and Alfreð Hrafn Magnússon
Producer: Steiní Kristinsson
Length: 6:50 min
Synopsis: A man from Ukraine recalls the moment he experienced the 2022 invasion and his journey of rebuilding in Iceland.
Bókin
Director: Flóki Larsen
Producer: Flóki Larsen
Length: 9:41min
Synopsis: Flóki Larsen, a bookseller and librarian in Reykjavík, studied Icelandic at the University of Iceland and is now pursuing a master’s degree in cultural mediation. Bókin is his first short film.
Portret af Orra Finn
Director: Ýr Þrastardóttir
Producer: Ýr Þrastardóttir
Length: 7:50 min
Synopsis: A glimpse into the life of a couple who create and share their love for jewelry-making, running a shop together on Skólavörðustígur. The film explores how their journey began and how they divide and share the work.
Then I Became a Comedian
Director: Egill Atlason
Producer: Egill Atlason
Length: 16:16 min
Synopsis: It was always Arnór Daði’s dream to become a comedian. But that dream was hard to justify. So, Arnór told everyone in his hometown that he was moving to Reykjavík to become a filmmaker, but in reality, he moved to become a comedian.
Ég er bara Elma
Director: Elma Dís Davíðsdóttir
Producer: Elma Dís Davíðsdóttir
Length: 14:44 min
Synopsis: I give you an insight into my life when I underwent a surgery I had been waiting for a very long time.
experimental 2025
Sara
Director: Steiní Kristinsson
Producer: Steiní Kristinsson
Length: 9:33 min
Synopsis: When the family dog dies, a father and son bury the dog’s gift and must face grief, love, and their bond.
Genesis
Director: Alda Ægisdottir
Producer: Alda Ægisdottir
Lengd: 9:33 min
Synopsis: Story of a miraculous birth.
Éttu mig
Director: Pétur Þór
Producer: Kristný Eiríksdóttir
Length: 8:33 min
Synopsis: A self-absorbed man, drowning in self-pity, seeks spiritual guidance at his own birthday party.
Nauðr
Director: Connor Ryan
Producer: Kristmundur E. Baldvinsson
Length: 17 min
Synopsis: A fisherman washes ashore, but for mysterious reasons, he has lost his ability to speak.
Godspeed
Director: Klāvs Liepiņš
Producer: Klāvs Liepiņš
Length: 10 min
Synopsis: The short film Godspeed is an introspective and poetic exploration of memory, love, and reconciliation. It tells the story of two men who meet in a decayed post-Soviet landscape. A meditation on the fragile nature of relationships and the beauty of letting go.
creative music 2025
“Fyrsti Dagur Endans” – Bríet and Birnir
Director: Erlendur Sveinsson
Producer: Kári Úlfsson
Length: 4:12 min
“Settle Down” – Atli
Directors: Ólafur Göran Ólafsson Gros, Atli Dagur Stefánsson
Producers: Ólafur Göran Ólafsson Gros, Atli Dagur Stefánsson
Length: 4 min
“Lovesong” – Jelena Ćirić
Director: Sigurlaug Gísladóttir
Producer: Sigurlaug Gísladóttir
Length: 2:08 min
“Midnight Sky” – Kári Egils
Director: Didda Flygenring
Producer: Didda Flygenring
Length: 4 min
“Myndi Falla” – Úlfur Úlfur
Director: Magnús Leifsson
Producer: Magnús Leifsson
Length: 4:02 min