Experiencing Interruptions?

Strangers in the Night

On a snowy Christmas Eve in Reykjavik, a lonely, aging rocker encounters a mysterious young woman who holds the key to a hidden chapter of his past, forcing him to confront buried truths about family, freedom, and the untold cost of his rock-and-roll dreams.

  • Vangelis Chatzopoulos
    Director
  • Julia Malkova
    Writer
  • Vangelis Chatzopoulos
    Writer
  • Gudmundur Thorvaldsson
    Key Cast
    "Johnny"
  • Tómas Vilhelm Hafliðason
    Director of Photography
    Horfin (Gone)
  • Vangelis Chatzopoulos
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 24, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    3,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Albania, Greece, Iceland
  • Country of Filming:
    Iceland
  • Language:
    English, Icelandic
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Arri
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The Icelandic Film School
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Icelandic Film School
    Reykjavík
    Iceland
    March 7, 2025
    Icelandic Film School
    2 Awards: Best film and Best direction and production
  • River Film Festival (RiFF)
    PADOVA
    Italy
    June 5, 2025
    World Premiere, Italian Premiere
    The Public Award
  • Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF)
    Tirana
    Albania
    September 22, 2025
    Albanian Premier
    Best Panorama GENERATIONs
  • Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF)
    Reykjavik
    Iceland
    September 28, 2025
    Icelandic Premier
  • The Pigeon International Film Festival (PIFF)
    Isafjordur
    Iceland
    October 11, 2025
    3 Awards: Best Icelandic short film, Best Icelandic student film, Best Cinematography
  • Punkfilmfest Berlin
    Berlin
    Germany
    October 23, 2025
    German Premiere
  • Euro Balkan Film Festival
    Rome
    Italy
    November 1, 2025
    Winner of Young Critics Jury Special Mention Award
  • Big Shoulders International Student Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    February 28, 2026
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • KINOATHENS International Independent Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    March 11, 2026
    National
  • Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
    Schwerin
    Germany
    May 5, 2026
    Official Selection (2026)
  • International Student Film Festival in Tirana (ISFFT)
    Tirana
    Albania
    April 23, 2026
    Official Selection
  • 4th Short Film Panorama, Society of Greek Directors
    Athens
    Greece
    May 23, 2026
    Special Mention Award STEFILM
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Vangelis Chatzopoulos

I am a Greek-Albanian director who believes in the power of
cinematic storytelling to capture the richness of
diversity and the uniqueness of human experience.
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, I learned early on
that each perspective holds its own truth. In 2023, my
journey led me to Reykjavik and the Icelandic Film
School, where I studied Direction and Producing.
Immersed in Iceland’s vibrant landscapes and
multicultural environment, I not only refined my
technical skills but also strengthened my dedication
to the art of cinema. By graduation in February 2025, I
was committed to creating films that celebrate the
beauty, complexity, and the unbearable lightness of
human existence.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

‘Strangers in the Night’ is a drama film that delves into life’s unpredictability, the complexities of family bonds, and the universal human need for connection and belonging. The story confronts the inescapable past and unpredictable future, exploring how choices shape our lives and identities.
At its core, the film reveals a father-daughter bond that emerges between a young woman and a middle-aged man brought together by a twist of fate. Driven by a longing for acceptance, love, and a sense of identity, the young woman faces a profound inner conflict: should she risk disrupting her present life to uncover the truth about the father she has never known? This moral dilemma forms the crux of her journey.
As a filmmaker, I am drawn to the hidden, untold stories of everyday people - their complexities, instincts, and dark secrets. Through this story, I seek to illuminate the nuanced moral dilemmas and psychology of human experience, aiming for a truthful and authentic exploration. These themes are at the heart of my visual storytelling, shaping my artistic expression and fueling my passion for cinema.