The short film The Last Farm earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film in 2006, signaling the emergence of Rúnar Rúnarsson on the international stage. Based in Reykjavík, the Icelandic director, screenwriter, and cinematographer has since cultivated a career defined by an extensive record of global recognition, particularly within the short film circuit.
Professional Training
Born in 1977, Rúnarsson pursued formal training in cinema at the National Film School of Denmark. He completed his education there between 2005 and 2009. This period of academic study provided the foundation for a career that encompasses film direction, screenwriting, and production, operating primarily within the Icelandic film industry.
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Rúnarsson is recognized as a prolific short film director, having secured more than 90 awards throughout his career. His early filmography includes titles such as Klósettmenning, Lífsg(æði), Oiko Logos, Rætur, Leitin að Rajeev, and Bragur. Following the success of The Last Farm, he continued this momentum with Two Birds in 2008 and Anna in 2009.
Feature Film Development
Transitioning to feature-length narratives, Rúnarsson released Volcano in 2011. His 2015 coming-of-age feature, Sparrows, brought him the Silver Hugo for best new director at the Chicago International Film Festival. He later presented Echo at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival, maintaining his presence in competitive festival circuits.
Recent Work
In 2024, Rúnarsson directed When the Light Breaks, which opened the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. The project subsequently received the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film at the Göteborg Film Festival in 2025. His 2024 credits also include the short film O.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 January 1977, Reykjavík
- Citizenship: Iceland
- Education: National Film School of Denmark
- Key Feature: Sparrows (2015)
- Significant Award: Dragon Award Best Nordic Film (2025)
- Career Roles: Screenwriter, cinematographer, director, producer
Questions readers ask
What is Rúnar Rúnarsson's most notable short film achievement?
He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film for The Last Farm in 2006.
Which international festivals have featured his work?
His films have been showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, and Göteborg Film Festival.
Achievements
- Worked as screenwriter, film director and film producer
