Culture and Living | Iceland Monitor | Sun 25 Sep 2016 | 20.01 GMT

Reykjavik International Film Festival kicks off next week

Darren Aronofsky is one of the guests of honour at the festival. mbl.is/Kristinn Ingvarsson

RIFF, the Reykjavik International Film Festival starts on September 29th and takes place for eleven days filled with films and film-related events.

This year's guests of honouor are Darren Aronofsky, Deepa Mehta, Chloé Sevigny and Brontis Jodorowsky.

This is the thirteenth RIFF festival to take place in the city and this year's theme is peace and human rights. "RIFF has put an empasis on subjects that are of high importance at each time," says director Hrönn Marínósdóttir in an interiew with Morgunblaðið. "The films at the festival reflect modern society and it's important to discuss war, refugees and human rights from all aspects. These are tumultuous times and it's important to get to know other cultures to reduce prejudice and fear. "

Documentaries play a large part in the festival and according to Marinósdóttir, docs are enjoying great popularity at the moment.

Several Icelandic films will also be premiered at the festival and they are all subtitled in English.

The festival will be visible in many parts of the city besides the cinemas. "We're screening films at the Elding whale watching boat, the national library and a tiny shop on Laugavegur to name a few things."

Children will be able to enjoy a special kid's programme at the Nordic House.

One of the unusual highlights of the festival is a screening of Frankenstein at the Sundhöllin swimming pool where you can soak in geothermal waters while catching a classic horror film.

The festival culminates in an award ceremony where the Golden Puffin is presented. For the full programme, tickets and festival passes visit www.riff.is