SEEDS-10. RIFF ? Reykjavík* International Film Festival

WORK/PROJECT: Volunteers will be part of the team organising the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF). Volunteers will team up with the local Icelandic volunteers from the Film studies of the University of Iceland. They will share all types of tasks related to the festival and the group will be split according to the needs and to give everyone the chance to try out different assignments.

The input of volunteers will make a big difference in making the festival an impressive cultural event. Before starting the festival handing out leaflets, posters and brochures, receiving guests at the airport and driving them to the city, as back, helping the International teams presenting their new releases, selling entrance tickets and festival passes, controlling at the entrances in the venues, helping during the screenings, guiding and assisting participants and spectators, setting up the venues before and after the movies and a wide variety of many different duties. Volunteers are an integral part of creating a special festival atmosphere in Reykjavík.

The tasks are very exciting for volunteers interested in films, since we try to give them insight into the working process for a film festival whilst also offering a chance to experience a fun job in a creative atmosphere.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a youth accommodation building. There will be bunk beds, mattresses and all facilities needed. Food will be provided, so cooking and common tasks will be shared fairly among the participants. A warm sleeping bag is highly recommended.

LOCATION: Reykjavík*, the Icelandic capital, has been called Europe’s hottest capital. Slick advertising campaigns have championed the city’s famed nightlife. But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík held the prestigious title European City of Culture in the year 2000; a welcome recognition of the energetic and colourful cultural life of the capital. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America, is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxaflói Bay. The population of the city is about 115,000 (40% of Iceland’s population) in the metropolitan area and 180,000 (60% of Iceland’s inhabitants) including its suburbs. It is growing steadily and 45% is younger than 30 years old; 83,1% of men and women aged 16-74 are active on the labour market. Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources, geothermal power and glacial rivers. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene. Reykjavík International Film Festival, launched in 2004, holds in many respects a unique position among film festivals organized around the world. How often are festival-attendees given the chance to catch the cream of recent festival films, see dozens of amazing flicks from the world’s youngest and most talented directors, meet foreign film pioneers, see the shimmering Northern lights and attend informative seminars and symposiums? The programme includes a mixture of movies from more than 30 countries and more; a special category dedicated to human rights in cooperation with UNIFEM and UNICEF in Iceland.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp, but high proficiency is not a requirement.

STUDY THEME: Environmental messenger in the project. S/he will be in charge of delivering ecological and global education messages to both, International volunteers and local hosts through organised activities. We intend to raise awareness and to encourage the participants to undertake simple but easy-to-implement actions which will affect the way we deal with the environment and the world we live in.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF.

* The name Reykjavík means "smoky bay": Given by the first settlers that arrived to the area due to the high geothermal activity and the constant rise of steam out of the hot springs around.