The Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) runs its 23rd edition from 24 September to 4 October 2026, using venues across the Icelandic capital to screen international, Nordic and Icelandic cinema over eleven days. RIFF is one of the longest-running film festivals in the North Atlantic region and draws an audience of filmmakers, industry delegates and cinema-going visitors from across Europe and beyond.
Programme and Venues
RIFF programmes features, short films, documentaries and experimental works across multiple competition and sidebar sections. Nordic cinema typically occupies a central strand alongside a main competition open to international entries. Industry events — including pitch sessions and filmmaker meetings — run in parallel for credentialled delegates.
Screenings take place at several Reykjavík cinemas and cultural spaces, including Bíó Paradís, the city’s independent art-house cinema, and Borgarleikhúsið (the Reykjavík City Theatre) for larger premieres. The festival releases its full schedule approximately two weeks before opening night.
Combining the Festival with a City Visit
RIFF dates fall at the edge of the Northern Lights season, which typically begins in earnest from late September in Iceland. Visitors attending the festival have a reasonable chance of seeing aurora activity on clear evenings — late September offers longer nights than high summer while temperatures remain manageable.
Reykjavík’s compact downtown makes it easy to move between festival venues, restaurants and bars without needing transport. The festival atmosphere extends beyond the cinema screenings into the city’s coffee shops and small venues, which often host filmmaker talks and informal events during the run.
We cover Reykjavík in full, including neighbourhoods, restaurants and what to plan. For travellers who want to make the most of late September nights, we also have a guide to Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík for combining the festival with aurora-hunting. For guided city tours and day trips during RIFF, browse Reykjavík tours.
Tickets and Passes
Single-screening tickets and multi-film festival passes are available through the RIFF website, typically going on sale in early September. Pass options include industry accreditations and public cinema passes at different price levels. Reykjavík accommodation books up quickly during RIFF — booking in advance is advisable, particularly for the opening and closing weekends.