Festival Spotlight: Five Underrated Gems from the Reykjavik Film Fest

Film festivals often double as talent incubators. The Reykjavik Film Fest proved no exception: amid the circuit’s bigger names were several films that showcased distinct voices and fresh approaches to storytelling. Below are five titles that deserve attention — and distribution.

1. 'Salt and Silk' (Director: Ingrid Solheim)

A quiet, observational drama about an aging seamstress and her relationship with the sea. Solheim pairs long, patient takes with tactile sound design; the result is a film that invites slow contemplation. Not flashy, but devastatingly intimate.

2. 'Paper Town of Glass' (Director: Omar Khalil)

An experimental narrative that plays with fragmented memory and architecture. Khalil uses non-linear editing and overlapping audio layers to create a dreamlike account of urban displacement. Challenging but rewarding for viewers willing to surrender to its rhythm.

3. 'Two Minutes of Light' (Director: Laila G.)

A documentary short about a remote lighthouse community’s last summer before modernization. The short’s power is in its accumulation of small rituals and faces—two minutes, repeated across days. It’s a brilliant study in how time shapes identity.

4. 'The Orchard Keeper' (Director: Mateusz Novak)

A period piece that doubles as a moral fable. Novak stages his scenes with painterly compositions and allows silence to become the film’s moral commentary. Performances are understated, and the film’s moral complexity lingers.

5. 'Neon Wreath' (Director: Sienna Park)

A compact thriller with a propulsive electronic score and taut editing. Park demonstrates confidence with tension, and the film is a masterclass in building suspense with minimal exposition.

Why these films matter

Each of these works exemplifies a different reason festivals are essential: they champion risk-taking, reward patient viewing, and provide platforms for artists outside the commercial mainstream. Distribution models remain the critical barrier; many of these titles would flourish with streaming windows or curated theatrical runs.

"Festivals remind us cinema’s future is often formed in the quiet margins, not the marquee premieres."

Recommendations for programmers

• Prioritize shorts that build thematic programs; pair films to create resonant double bills.
• Facilitate distribution talks during the festival week; many buyers miss intimate screenings.
• Highlight sound and design work in special sessions; technicians here are doing notable innovation.

If you follow festival circuits, keep an eye out for these films. They offer reminders that some of the most daring cinematic work happens far from the Hollywood radar.