Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson’s first feature film, Heartstone, received applause like this when it launched in 2017. “Guðmundur is a real talent. He manages to combine the breathtaking beauty and harshness of wild Iceland with the tenderness and youthful energy of the characters.” [Louis Balsan, head of sales & marketing, Films Boutique]
Gudmundsson developed and wrote Heartstone during a Cannes Cinefondation, a Paris residency programme. He is also a graduate of the Icelandic Art Academy in Fine Art and studied screenwriting in Denmark.
His short films and feature debuts have been selected for more than 200 festivals and have won over 100 international awards.
The Icelandic director has now been signed to The Sweet Shop for international representation. Gudmundsson will be available for scripts coming into The Sweet Shop’s seven offices in London, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Shanghai, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.
His short Whale Valley (2013), about the bond of two brothers, received a Cannes Film Festival Special Mention and a nomination for the European Film Awards.
It was a Vimeo staff pick and featured in the Vimeo blog in 2016.
Paul Prince, chief executive officer and founding partner of The Sweet Shop commented, “Gudmundur is a very real talent, who is known to be among Iceland’s next generation of filmmakers. He shows a very strong voice in his work – it affects the heart and its vulnerability leaves a lasting impression. I’m so excited to see what we will create together.”
Gudmundsson added, “The body of work coming out of The Sweet Shop is breathtaking. It’s work with real soul. The international nature of the company is a huge draw. I really believe that commercial film making is built on collaboration, and having the opportunity to work alongside creative agencies based in different countries and cultures is incredibly exciting for me.”
Gudmundsson’s signing is the most recent demonstration of The Sweet Shop commitment to finding fresh talent and developing directors who have a strong voice with skills spread across the industry.
Watch Gudmundur’s reel here.
Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson
