Iceland

A Netflix-backed film spinoff from hit BBC series Luther is one of the latest big-budget projects to take advantage of Iceland’s unique locations. The production, starring Idris Elba, Andy Serkis and Cynthia Erivo, landed on Svinafellsjokull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajokull ice cap, with Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur’s film production and services company RVK Studios assisting the crew.

At the same time, Marvel was busy with a TV series offshoot — working title Safari — in the Myvatn area of northern Iceland. Crews, reportedly swelling to 200-300 people on the busiest days, filled up three hotels, according to local publication Iceland Monitor. Other high-profile productions to film in Iceland include HBO series The Flight Attendant; Marvel’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness; Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson’s English-­language feature debut Northern Comfort starring Timothy Spall, Lydia Leonard and Iceland’s Sverrir Gudnason; and Hulu’s Washington Black, which occupied a studio in Reykjavik and locations in east Iceland.

“Iceland’s stunning nature is one of the most popular reasons for international productions to come here,” says Iceland’s film commissioner Einar Hansen Tomasson. “Iceland’s varied landscapes are unique because you can find very different but epic sceneries and locations within short distances from each other. The film industry has also garnered world-class production service companies with resources and the know-how to accommodate big productions.” Joining RVK on the roster are the likes of Truenorth, Genesis Films Iceland, Arctic Productions and Pegasus Pictures.

Another reason for the increase in demand is the rebate system put in place by the Icelandic government, which “offers reimbursement of 25% of the costs incurred during the production of films and television programmes in Iceland”, notes Tomasson. “The reimbursement scheme, based on a special legislation, is simple, transparent and effective.”The territory’s entertainment production sector thrived during the pandemic, with little pause in 2020 or 2021. And there’s more to come. “The film school is graduating more crew members every year and Iceland University of the Arts is creating a department of filming this autumn,” says Tomasson.

Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman was partly inspired by Iceland and is set on the island. While the film was shot mostly in Ireland, some scenes filmed here. Eggers also visited Iceland in 2016 and met author and co-scriptwriter Sjón and musician Bjork, who appears in the film. As founder and CEO of RVK Studios, Kormakur is also growing the company’s facilities. RVK is scheduled to make stages two and three — both measuring 17,200 square feet and 60 feet at the highest point — operational by the end of 2022.

Streamers and studios alike are queuing up to film in Iceland, with English-speaking crews accustomed to working 12-hour days, six days a week. FX Productions’ limited series murder-mystery Retreat, starring Clive Owen and Emma Corrin, is due to shoot on location at Vök Baths, Egilsstadir in east Iceland, Deplar Farm hotel in north Iceland, and at Harpa concert hall in Reykjavik. Meanwhile the Kormakur-­produced English-language expedition drama Against The Ice marks the first Netflix Original film from Iceland.

The territory might also find itself in demand more than ever, as the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine sees UK, North American and other international projects look to move away from central and eastern Europe to territories in western Europe and beyond.

Recent international projects to film in the country included: The Northman, Against the Ice, The Witcher: Blood Origin, Luther: Fallen Sun, Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Kaley Cuoco's The Flight Attendant, Film in Iceland film commissioner, Einar Hansen Tomasson tells KFTV. 

HBO is currently shooting a whole season of True Detective, where Iceland doubles for the state of Alaska.

Iceland offers an abundance of striking filming locations, including black volcanic beaches, white glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields.

"You can duplicate everything in Iceland, including Mars. We have canyons in the north east, which blow peoples minds, but also cities that can double for Chicago," says location manager Alfred Gislason, who worked on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Oblivion.

"The contrast of the Icelandic nature and sheer beauty can be overwhelming many times for the directors and the creatives when going on a location scout. It's like taking kids to the toy store. They want everything, and then change their selection again and again," says Bui Baldvinsson at experienced local production servicer providers Hero Productions. "Accessibility to our glaciers and ice caves can be fairly easy with the correct transportation and short distances between locations is what makes Iceland perfect for filming."

"We shot Love on Iceland all over the country at the glaciers and lagoons," says US producer Andrew Gernhard. "We were able to capture the country in all its glory. We even took helicopters to an ice cave without any problems."

Getting permits is generally straightforward, but can be a challenge in protected locations, which is why it's best to "team up with a local production service provider who can assist you with the incentive applications and location permits, saving your project a lot of time and money," says Hrefna Hagalin at local production service providers Arctic Productions, who have been assisting with commercials, documentaries and a Japan TV travel  show that filmed in the ice caves on Vatnajökull glacier.

Iceland has also doubled as the Himalayas, the Pacific Island of Iwo Jima, Siberia, Greenland, Antarctica, various Scandinavian locations, post-apocalyptic earth, and much more, Film in Iceland film commissioner, Einar Hansen Tomasson tells KFTV. 

Icelandic crew speak perfect English, but most studio productions bring their own heads of department. Leading production service companies include Truenorth, Pegasus Pictures and Sagafilm. RVK Studios plans to open two more soundstages in 2022.

"Experienced production service companies and crews are ready to assist in Iceland. Their portfolio includes an impressive range of smaller-scale productions to Hollywood blockbusters. The full range of professional services available includes assistance with locations, crew, equipment, casting, studios, permits if needed, postproduction, VFX and more. Icelandic production service companies have serviced 5-10 large-scale international production yearly," says Film in Iceland's Hansen Tomasson.

"The VFX industry is strong in Iceland, with local companies gaining international awards like the BAFTAs,“ he adds. “Importantly, Iceland now offers over 8000m2 of sound stages. There are two studios operational in Iceland which meet world-class standards.“

RVK Studios offers three sound stages accompanied by production service facilities. Fossa Studios offers two sound stages accompanied by production service facilities. 

Iceland’s compact size makes it easy to cross via road or air. The country is only 40,000 square miles, which is smaller than Colorado. It offers filmmakers everything from glaciers, mountains and lava fields to waterfalls, black sands and geothermal pools. The island’s network of roads means a vast array of options are within easy reach of capital Reykjavik. International flights arrive at Keflavik airport, which is just 45 minutes from the city. Flying time from JFK to LAX is about the same, give or take 20 minutes, as JFK to Keflavik, while most major European gateways are between two-and-a-half to three hours away.

"In Iceland, filmmakers will find stunning and diverse landscapes, often only a few miles apart. The locations range from black sand beaches, barren landscapes and lava fields to waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and more. Smaller towns are scattered around the coast, and Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, is increasingly becoming a filming attraction due to its unique atmosphere and architecture," says Hansen Tomasson.

First person to contact

Einar Hansen Tomasson, Iceland film commissioner: einar@invest.is