The seventh annual Reykjavík Documentary and Short Film Festival, REYKJAVIK SHORTS&DOCS will be held on the 22rd -
29th of August 2008. This time around the festival will be held in association with Reykjavik-Menningarnótt (Culture Night), which begins on August 23 of this year.

Shorts&Docs aims to exhibit the most fascinating and relevant short films and documentaries from around the world, Icelandic films included. Our plan is to invite one accomplished filmmaker to Iceland to introduce and discuss her works. 
            We are committed to presenting exemplary films that would not otherwise be available to the general Icelandic public,
for example the short films nominated for awards at festivals such as the Nordisk Panorama, the Academy Awards, the Cannes film festival and at Sundance, both animation and live-action. Shorts&Docs is the only film festival in Iceland which shows international short films.  It is necessary to give Icelandic filmmakers the opportunity to see what is happening in this
crucial field on an international scale.
The festival’s line up will be varied and ambitious, and in recognition of our association with Reykjavík-Menningarnótt we
will pay particular attention to the historic cinema houses of Reykjavík, with showings held in Gamlabíó, Austurbæjabíó and other remarkable locations around the city, both indoor and out. Much time and effort is being placed into the preparation for this festival to ensure its continued success and importance.

Gudrún Ragnarsdóttir
Festival Director

A Brief History of the Reykjavik Shorts&Docs film festival

At the time when the Icelandic Filmmaker´s Association founded the RS&D, there were few film festivals in Reykjavík and hardly
any opportunity for the Icelandic film going public to view world class documentaries and short films. It soon became all too
obvious that there were no venues available to organize such an event in Iceland. It was clear to the administration of the Filmmaker´s Association that the formation of a distinct new administrative body was a necessity and the undersigned was awarded the responsibility to manage the festival's construction.
The festival´s introduction begun with the following words: "It is our hope that this festival will be a springboard for Icelandic film
making. At this festival and its associated events, Icelandic film makers can receive inspiration and encouragement and the
general public will experience the opportunity of witnessing a
range of exceptional documentaries and short films."The first festival thus begun in 2001 and was held for one weekend at
the Norræna hús (Nordic House) in Reykjavík. That very same
year the results of the fledgling Icelandic Film Centre became apparent with the ever increasing interest in the production of Icelandic short films and documentaries. In 2002 the festival
was held at Háskólabíó (University Cinema) and Regnboginn, (Rainbow Theatre) where thirtythree films from thirteen
different countries were presented. The same year, the Icelandic Film Centre along with the Department of Education and the Department of Industry became co- sponsors of the festival. Continual progress was made in years following, along with a variety of workshops and seminars led by the RS&D. It is my
firm belief that this festival will continue its growth and influence
under the new festival director, Guðrún Ragnarsdóttir.

Hjálmtýr Heiðdal
Chairman of the Icelandic Film Maker´s Association