Taking place in the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard, just 650 miles from the North Pole, the Arctic Film Festival is the world’s northernmost independent film Festival.
We strongly believe that the power of cinema must be spread in all corners of the world including the most remote corners. In the cosy Kulturhuset in the otherworldly surroundings of Svalbard, every year we put together a celebration of independent filmmaking.
Our Film Festival provides not only a diverse cinematic experience for audiences and filmmakers but also an opportunity to reflect on the future of our planet as well as our role within it. Our main goal with the Arctic Film Festival is to increase the audience reach and engagement of select independent filmmakers who challenge and reflect on global-scale problems.
Committed to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and especially Goal 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts)
we aim at raising awareness of global warming. Through a cinematic experience for audiences and filmmakers, challenge and reflect on global-scale problems and provide a unique opportunity to screen artists' work in the world's northernmost inhabited areas and where the negative climate implications are most notorious.
The Arctic Film Festival is organised by HF Productions, a pioneer organisation that runs Film Festivals and other events showcasing and championing ideas of diversity. Through our global series of film Festivals that spread over 13 countries, we open the path to voices with a compelling story to share. Our main mission is to honour independent cinema and establish a network of artists eager to join forces and spread their work across all nations. HF runs 25 film Festivals worldwide.
There are three stages to the process:
» Nominations – Films nominated in any category will be contacted on the notification date, and listed on our website and social media pages. Nominated filmmakers are invited to join the event, although only the films in the Official Selection (below) will be screened.
» Official Selection – Films selected for screening will be notified if they have been considered to be part of Arctic Film Festival’s Official Selection on the notification date. Screening materials will be requested and more information about the event will be provided.
» Winners – Award winners will be selected from the Nominations & Official Selection and announced at our festival, after the screenings, and online the following day.
Awards will include Certificates, Treats, and exclusive online Distribution deals, and will be given in the following categories:
Best Feature
Best Short
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Sustainable Production
SDG Films - Goal 13: Climate Action
SDG Films - Goal 14: Life Below Water
SDG Films - Goal 15: Life on Land
Best Student Production
Best Animation
Best Norwegian Production
Best Adventure Film
In addition to the above-listed categories, we also offer the option of a Film Critique. Criticism may not always be agreeable but it is always necessary. Filmmakers require constructive feedback at every stage of their development, whether they're just starting out or they've been making films for decades. We offer you the opportunity to get your film project critiqued by one of the qualified film critics we collaborate with on our festivals. Regardless of whether or not your film is selected for screening, by submitting to the Any Category + Film Critique category, you receive an in-depth review (1-2 pages). The critique can be more or less general, or focus on particular elements - you choose.
