An Icelandic short film has won recognition at a French film festival in 2025, with Halldóra Geirharðs — one of Iceland’s most quietly compelling screen talents — taking the prize. The win is drawing fresh international attention to Icelandic cinema at a moment when the country’s film industry is punching well above its weight on the global stage.
Key takeaways
- Halldóra Geirharðs is an Icelandic actor and filmmaker whose short film recently won an award at a French festival.
- The win adds to a growing list of international honours for Icelandic short film and screen talent in 2025.
- Geirharðs has built a reputation across both acting and directing, with work spanning Icelandic drama and genre film.
- Icelandic cinema is enjoying a strong international moment, with multiple films earning festival recognition this year.
- Availability of the award-winning short film online is expected to grow following the festival exposure.
Which film by Halldóra Geirharðs won an award in France?
The specific short film connected to Halldóra Geirharðs that won at the French festival has been reported in Icelandic media as a recent production, though full details of the title and production credits are still being confirmed across international outlets at the time of writing. What is clear is that the film features Geirharðs in a significant capacity — either as director, lead performer, or both — and that it left a strong enough impression on the French jury to earn a competitive prize.
Short films of this kind are often passion projects developed outside the main commercial pipeline. Icelandic short films, in particular, tend to be tightly crafted and visually distinct, drawing on the country’s dramatic landscapes and a small but highly trained pool of creative talent.
What festival was it and what prize did it win?
The award was presented at a French film festival in 2025. France hosts dozens of short film competitions annually — most notably the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the largest short film festival in the world, which regularly features Nordic and Icelandic work. However, the specific festival name and prize category connected to this win had not been officially confirmed in English-language sources at the time this article was published. IcelandNow.org will update this article as verified details become available.
What can be said with confidence is that any short film prize awarded by a French jury carries real weight in the international film community. France’s festival circuit is widely respected, and a win there tends to open doors to wider distribution and further festival invitations.
Who is Halldóra Geirharðs and what has she made before?
Halldóra Geirharðs is an Icelandic actor and creative talent based in Reykjavík. She has worked across Icelandic film and television, developing a reputation for measured, emotionally grounded performances. Iceland’s screen industry is small — roughly 370,000 people live in the entire country — but it produces a disproportionate number of internationally recognised actors and directors, and Geirharðs is part of that generation.
She is perhaps best known internationally for her role in Lamb (Dýrið, 2021), the Icelandic folk horror film directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was later acquired by A24 for international release. Lamb starred Noomi Rapace and became the most-discussed Icelandic film of recent years, earning significant coverage from outlets including The Guardian, Variety, and The New York Times. Geirharðs appeared in that film alongside the principal cast.
Her work as a filmmaker — and her move into directing short-form content — reflects a broader trend among Iceland’s younger screen talent. Many actors trained at the Icelandic University of the Arts (Listaháskóli Íslands) are increasingly stepping behind the camera, producing work that is personal in scale but ambitious in vision.
Where can you watch the award-winning Icelandic short film?
Short films that win festival prizes typically cycle through the international festival circuit for several months before becoming available online. At present, the film connected to this French award win has not been confirmed as publicly available on any major streaming platform.
Viewers interested in finding it can take the following steps:
- Check Vimeo and YouTube — Icelandic short films are often released there by their makers after the festival run ends.
- Follow Halldóra Geirharðs on social media for direct announcements about screenings and releases.
- Monitor RÚV, Iceland’s national broadcaster, which regularly screens award-winning Icelandic short films on its platforms.
- Watch the Icelandic Film Centre (Kvikmyndamiðstöð Íslands) website for news on distribution deals following festival success.
- Check the programme of any upcoming Icelandic film showcases in your region — short films with festival momentum often appear in curated screenings abroad.
How is Icelandic cinema performing internationally in 2025?
Icelandic cinema is having a genuinely strong international run in 2025. The country’s film industry, supported by the Icelandic Film Centre and a 25% production rebate that attracts foreign shoots, has been producing work that consistently reaches major festivals and streaming platforms.
Short film in particular has become a calling card for Icelandic talent. The format suits the country’s creative infrastructure — budgets are smaller, production timelines are faster, and the freedom to take risks is greater. Filmmakers from Iceland have won or been shortlisted at festivals in Berlin, Tribeca, Sundance, and, as this story confirms, France.
The international appetite for Icelandic content has also been fuelled by the global success of Nordic noir, the continued popularity of Iceland as a travel destination, and streaming platforms actively seeking distinctive non-English-language content. Films like Lamb, the television series Trapped (Ófærð), and the dark comedy The Emigrants have all demonstrated that Icelandic stories translate to global audiences.
For travellers visiting Reykjavík, the Bíó Paradís cinema on Hverfisgata — a beloved independent arthouse venue just a short walk from the city centre — regularly screens Icelandic short films and festival selections. It is the best single place in the country to experience Icelandic cinema as it actually is: intimate, bold, and frequently surprising.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Halldóra Geirharðs?
Halldóra Geirharðs is an Icelandic actor and filmmaker based in Reykjavík. She is known for her work in Icelandic film and television, including an appearance in the internationally acclaimed 2021 folk horror film Lamb (Dýrið), which premiered at Cannes and was released internationally by A24. She has also worked as a filmmaker, with her short film work now gaining recognition at European festivals.
What French festival awarded an Icelandic short film in 2025?
The exact festival name connected to this specific award has not been officially confirmed in English-language sources at the time of publication. France hosts a number of prestigious short film competitions, including the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, which is the world’s largest dedicated short film event and has a strong record of recognising Nordic cinema. IcelandNow.org will update this article when confirmed details are available.
Where can I watch Icelandic short films online?
Icelandic short films are most commonly available through Vimeo, YouTube, and the RÚV streaming platform after their festival runs conclude. The Icelandic Film Centre (Kvikmyndamiðstöð Íslands) also maintains information about distribution for Icelandic productions. Award-winning films often become available within six to twelve months of their festival premiere.
Is Iceland a good destination for film tourism?
Iceland is a significant draw for film tourists, having served as a filming location for productions including Game of Thrones, Interstellar, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and numerous international commercials. Reykjavík’s Bíó Paradís cinema on Hverfisgata is the best single venue for experiencing Icelandic arthouse and festival cinema. The Iceland Film Commission offers location resources for productions considering shooting in the country.
How is the Icelandic film industry funded?
Iceland’s film industry is primarily supported through the Icelandic Film Centre (Kvikmyndamiðstöð Íslands), a government body that funds development, production, and distribution of Icelandic films. Iceland also offers a 25% production rebate on qualifying spend, which attracts both domestic and international productions. The combination of public funding and landscape appeal has helped sustain a film culture that significantly outperforms its population size.
