Icelandic filmmaker Snævar Sölvason was born and raised in the small fishing town of Bolungarvík, located in the remote Westfjords of Iceland. His background in this rugged and isolated region has shaped his storytelling, which blends humor, realism, and emotional depth.
Since his debut feature, Albatross (2015), which he self-financed and secured theatrical distribution for in Iceland, Snævar has continued to push creative boundaries in both fiction and documentary filmmaking.
His latest film, Odd Fish, was one of the most successful releases in Icelandic cinemas and has been nominated for nine Edda Awards, Iceland’s highest honors in film and television. The film is now making its way through the international festival circuit, further cementing Snævar’s reputation as an innovative storyteller.
Over the years, he has delivered a variety of acclaimed projects. His 2019 thriller Eden traveled to international film festivals, and his documentary series Skaginn (2023) set new viewership records on Iceland’s national broadcaster.
Currently, Snævar is developing Godspeed, a road movie set against Iceland’s stunning landscapes. The project has already secured script development funding and strong backing from the Icelandic Film Centre.
With a strong cinematic vision and a dedication to storytelling, Snævar Sölvason is a filmmaker whose work continues to captivate audiences in Iceland and beyond.
Please List the Title of Your Film at BIFF 2025
Odd Fish
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
My first memory of a film was when I was three years old, sitting in a movie theater in my hometown, a small fishing village in Iceland. On the big white screen, there was a tiny yellow kitten, alone and abandoned in a cardboard box under pouring rain, with nowhere to go. He was scared and lost. Later, I found out that this was the Disney animated film Oliver & Company.
Another powerful memory of a film came when I was ten years old, watching The Shawshank Redemption. It was the scene where Andy and his friends in prison are drinking beer on the rooftop in the morning sun. In that moment, they all felt like free men, and even the cruel prison guards were somewhat kind to them. I remember saying to myself at that moment that I wanted to make movies in the future.
Looking back, I think many of my films, including my first one, revolve around the theme of the orphan’s journey—about someone who is trapped somewhere, longing for freedom. Friendship and brotherhood are also recurring themes in my work. Maybe it all traces back to these two films.
Who is (are) your favorite filmmakers?
Alexander Payne, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Stanley Kubrick, James Cameron.
What are you working on that no one knows about?
Action thriller in the vein of Alien, The Thing and Predator.
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
Marlon Brando in the old days would be a good choice.
Doritos with a dip is nice.
The film title could be ‘Searching for a heart of gold’
