Icelandic Film Commission

Icelandic Film Commission
Name	Icelandic Film Commission
Native name	--
Established	1990s
Location	Reykjavík, Iceland
Website	--

Icelandic Film Commission is the national film promotion body located in Reykjavík that markets Iceland as a location for international film production and supports domestic Icelandic cinema. It works with international companies including BBC, Netflix, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Disney, HBO, Amazon Studios and Apple TV+ to facilitate on-location shooting for features, television series, documentaries and commercials. The commission collaborates with regional bodies such as Promote Iceland, Film og Fjölmiðlar, European Film Promotion and funding institutions like Eurimages, Nordisk Film & TV Fond and the European Union cultural programmes.

History

The commission traces origins to initiatives in the 1990s responding to increased interest after productions like Dante's Peak explored Icelandic landscapes and earlier documentaries featured the Vatnajökull ice cap and Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Its formalization followed international success of films such as Interstellar and Batman Begins that shot scenes on the Svínafellsjökull glacier and around Reynisfjara. Throughout the 2000s the commission expanded services alongside growth of production in Reykjavík, collaboration with the Icelandic Film Centre, and the rise of streaming projects from Hulu and Sky Atlantic. The commission adapted to crises including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic by coordinating with health authorities like Icelandic Directorate of Health and logistics partners such as Icelandair and Marel.

Mission and Objectives

The commission’s mission emphasizes attracting international projects to showcase sites like Thingvellir National Park, Jökulsárlón, Mývatn and the Westfjords while supporting filmmakers from institutions including University of Iceland, Iceland Academy of the Arts and the Icelandic Film School. Objectives include streamlining permits with municipalities such as Akureyri and Kópavogur, facilitating cooperation with broadcasters like RÚV, promoting workforce development with unions like Icelandic Actors Union and fostering co-productions through agreements with agencies such as Creative Europe and national film funds like the Icelandic Film Centre.

Services and Facilities

The commission provides location scouting, permit assistance, production liaison and local crew directories linking technicians affiliated with studios like Serandipians and companies such as Blue Lagoon hospitality services. It maintains databases of locations in regions such as South Iceland, Snæfellsnes Peninsula and North Iceland and coordinates with facilities including the Icelandic Film Museum and post-production houses in Reykjanesbær. For specialty needs it connects productions to suppliers of aerial services like Mótorflugfélag, marine logistics operators in Hafnarfjörður and equipment rental firms collaborating with ARRI, Panavision and digital labs used by productions such as Lamb (film). Training programmes are run with partners such as Nordic Film Lab and workshops hosted at venues like the Harpa Concert Hall.

Incentives and Funding

The commission acts as an intermediary for financial incentives including tax credit schemes administered alongside the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs and reimbursements from the Icelandic Film Centre. It supports projects seeking funding from pan-European sources like Eurimages, MEDIA Programme and the Nordic Council of Ministers. Co-production treaties with countries represented by bodies like Film i Väst, Les Films du Poisson and Creative Europe Desk are facilitated. Assistance is provided for productions applying to private financiers, broadcasters such as ZDF and ARD, and distributors including Icon Film Distribution and Magnolia Pictures.

Notable Productions

Icelandic locations and services have been used by blockbusters such as Game of Thrones (HBO), Interstellar (Paramount), Prometheus (20th Century Fox), Noah (2014 film) (Paramount), Batman Begins (Warner Bros.), and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Lucasfilm). Icelandic features supported by the commission include Rams (Hrútar), Lamb (2021 film), Of Horses and Men, Börn and Sparrows (2015 film), with documentaries like Heima and series such as Trapped (Ófærð) securing international distribution through Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival selections. Co-productions have involved partners like Zentropa, Wild Bunch, Pathe and IFC Films.

Partnerships and International Relations

The commission maintains partnerships with agencies including European Film Promotion, Nordic Film & TV Fund, Creative Europe, EAVE, MEDIA Desk, and broadcasters such as BBC, RÚV, HBO Nordic and DR (broadcaster). It engages with location managers from ILM and VFX houses like Framestore, Weta Digital and MPC to promote Iceland for visual effects-driven shoots. Diplomatic collaboration occurs through Icelandic missions in capitals like London, Los Angeles, Berlin and Copenhagen and trade organisations such as Promote Iceland and the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce.

Governance and Organization

The commission operates as a public-private partnership staffed by location managers, production coordinators and marketing officers drawn from networks including the Icelandic Film Centre, Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs, local municipalities and industry associations like the Icelandic Producers Association. Leadership liaises with cultural policymakers, regional tourism boards such as Visit South Iceland and education partners including Reykjavík University. Advisory relationships extend to international film funds, festival programmers from Berlinale, Venice Film Festival and SXSW and industry groups like the European Audiovisual Observatory.

Category:Film commissions Category:Cinema of Iceland