The Icelandic professional who will assume his new position in April, has experience in directing and education, and worked most recently as director of the London Film School.

Gísli Snær Erlingsson’s appointment for a five-year term, was just announced by Iceland’s Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, Lilja Dögg Alfredsdóttir. He will be replacing Laufey Gudjónsdóttir who stepped down after 20 years at the helm of the Icelandic Film Centre.
Sigurrós Hilmarsdóttir, Head of Production has been appointed as interim director.

Erlingsson was until 2022 director of the London Film School, which he helmed for six years. Prior to that, he worked as Head of Studies for the Puttnam School of Film, LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. The 59-year old film professional who trained as a director at the French film school La Fémis, is credited for the multi-awarded films Ikíngut (2000) and Benjamín dúfu (1995).

Icelandic’s Ministry of Culture said that 15 candidates had applied for the position as Head of the Icelandic Film Centre, and Erlingsson was considered the most suitable for the job after an assessment from a three-member selection committee and interviews with Lilja Dögg Alfredsdóttir.

Gudjónsdóttir who helmed the Icelandic Film Centre since its inception in 2003, has played a major role in shaping and implementing the framework for the local film industry and film culture together with the Ministry of Culture and local industry. (Read our exclusive interview with her - Laufey Guðjónsdóttir on her 20 years at the helm of the Icelandic Film Centre, as she steps down: CLICK HERE).