Iceland in Winter(NaN)

Snow Animals(en)

Liz Bonnin introduces a cast of charismatic animals to reveal the remarkable strategies they use to survive, and even thrive, through the winter.

Changes(is)

Tímamót, or Changes in English. An upbeat, heartwarming story about Gudjon, Sigurbjorn and Steinthor who lived together for decades along with several other inhabitants in the Tjaldanes Institution, in a peaceful valley close to Reykjavik. When a decision is made to close down the institution, their life takes an unexpected turn and they discover a new side to life and to themselves.

White Winter(de)

In southern Germany, winter can still be admired in all its glory every year. With its white coat of snow and icicles and myriads of small crystals that look like geometric works of art. In the valleys and on the slopes the snow is still so thick every year that the alpine huts are snowed in up to the windows. Cows and dairymen are safe in their farms at lower altitudes. But not the wild creatures of the mountains! They need strategies to survive the cold season and to defy snow masses, cold and ice. And some seem to do it so easily that they even raise their young in the middle of winter. But how do animals, plants and fungi cope with the annually recurring ice age, which from our perspective is a time of need? The many adaptations in nature prove that winter is an integral part of the natural cycle of the year and the living environment of species. They are adapted to cold and frost. That is why the animals and plants at the edge of the Alps suffer particularly from climate change!

Charcot: Secret Poles(fr)

The adventures and exploits of Jean-Baptiste Charcot (1867-1936), an intrepid scientist and explorer who laid the foundations of modern oceanography.

Fullveldisdagskrá VHS(is)

The Shelter(fr)

It is winter at an emergency shelter for the homeless in Lausanne. Every night at the door of this little-known basement facility the same entry ritual takes place, resulting in confrontations which can sometimes turn violent. Those on duty at the shelter have the difficult task of “triaging the poor”: the women and children first, then the men. Although the total capacity at the shelter is 100, only 50 “chosen ones” will be admitted inside and granted a warm meal and a bed. The others know it will be a long night.

Winter’s Edge: Live Like Laura(en)

Laura Green, 63, wakes up every morning and keeps skiers safe through backcountry avalanche forecasting and avalanche mitigation at Mt Hood Meadows resort. When Laura’s dear friend is caught in an avalanche, suddenly these dangers hit close to home. Director's note: On December 6, 2018, Laura Green lost her life in a windsurfing accident. She never had the chance to see this film. This story is dedicated to Laura and all she has done for mountain culture and public safety in the Pacific Northwest.

Steep(en)

Steep traces the legacy of extreme skiing from its early pioneers to the daredevils of today.

Inside Björk(en)

Following the career of Björk, this documentary looks at her early musical career with local icelandic bands, her acclaimed stint in The Sugarcubes, and her massive success as a free-spirited solo artist.

Draw(en)

More(en)

Once again Absinthe Films raises the bar to bring you 'More'. This title marks the beginning of a new era for Absinthe Films as they have broadened their scope to include and properly represent urban riding while still keeping the overall blend fresh and un-repetitive.

Optigrab(en)

Ahasverus(sh)

Short experimental 16mm film.

Islandia(es)

A Song Called Hate(en)

The pro-Palestinian, anti-capitalist, BDSM-provocative, techno-punk performance art ensemble Hatari unsurprisingly drew attention to themselves with their performance at the Icelandic qualifiers for the Eurovision Song Contest. So much so that they won and therefore were allowed to perform at the main event in Tel Aviv. But what now? Should they boycott the event, swallow their idealism, or use their airtime to criticise the host country for their illegal occupation of Palestine? The Icelandic director Anna Hildur joins the boys in the band all the way to the fateful final.

Villi Knudsen's Iceland(en)

Features volcano watches in Iceland from 1984-91, showing the country's highlands, Askja, Kverkjoll, Herdubreidarlindir, Sprengisandur, and Jokulsa Canyon. Presents Landmannalaugur and the popular trek from this Myvatn, Skaftafell, and glacier bursts from the Grimsvotn and Graenalon lakes. Depicts scenes of winter traveling in Iceland, Reykjavik, the Blue lagoon, Geysir hot spring, the site of Parliament in Thingvellir, and Kulusuk on the east coast of greenland. Includes the earthquake sequence that shook the island in September 1986 and sequences from the volcanic eruptions at Mount Hekla (1947-48, 1970, 1980-81, and 1991), Surtsey (1963-67) Heimaey Island (1973), Lake Myvatn (1975-84) and Grimsvotn Lake (1983).

March of the Penguins(fr)

Every year, thousands of Antarctica's emperor penguins make an astonishing journey to breed their young. They walk, marching day and night in single file 70 miles into the darkest, driest and coldest continent on Earth. This amazing, true-life tale is touched with humour and alive with thrills. Breathtaking photography captures the transcendent beauty and staggering drama of devoted parent penguins who, in the fierce polar winter, take turns guarding their egg and trekking to the ocean in search of food. Predators hunt them, storms lash them. But the safety of their adorable chicks makes it all worthwhile. So follow the leader... to adventure!!

Blindsight(en)

Six blind Tibetan teenagers climb the Lhakpa-Ri peak of Mount Everest, led by seven-summit blind mountain-climber Erik Weihenmayer.

Fire on Heimaey(is)

Beautiful documentary by Osvaldur Knudsen about the eruption on Heimaey in the Vestmann Islands in 1973 (South of Iceland). The eruption destroyed some 30% of the town's houses and lasted for more than 5 months. Nice narration like in the old days and some nice sound(track) by Magnus Bl. Johannsson.

Under an Arctic Sky(en)

Six fearless surfers travel to the north coast of Iceland to ride waves unlike anything they've ever experienced, captured with high-tech cameras.