Work
I direct films that explore how people relate to place, memory, and one another. My work moves between documentary, narrative, and commercial projects, often blending intimate human stories with a strong visual and atmospheric language.
Alongside independent filmmaking, I work as a freelance director on commissioned projects — including branded films, institutional storytelling, and commercial productions. I collaborate closely with producers, production companies, agencies, and cultural organizations to develop concepts, lead productions, and deliver finished films for festival, broadcast, and digital platforms.
My practice is research-driven and collaborative. I am drawn to long-form observation, carefully constructed imagery, and sound-led storytelling. Whether working with non-professional participants, actors, or clients, I build spaces of trust that allow authentic presence to emerge on screen.
I am open to new directing, cinematography, and creative development collaborations.
Contact: grima@grimairmudottir.com
Education
MFA, Northwestern University, Documentary Media
BA (Hons), University of the Arts London, Contemporary Media Cultures
Awards
2026 The Sólveig Anspach Prize for Directing
2025 Best Icelandic Short at Reykjavík International Film Festival
2023 Special Mention at Reykjavík International Film Festival
Fellowships and Grants
2025 Recipient of the Gabriel Fellowship / Production Grant.
2023-2025 Scholarship at Northwestern University (full tuition waiver and a stipend)
2024 Recipient of the American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Fellowship.
2024 Recipient of the Leifur Eiríksson Fellowship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
2023 Recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year.
2020 Recipient of a monetary award from the National Bank of Iceland (Landsbankinn) for outstanding achievement in art studies.
2019 Recipient of a monetary award from the Bank of Iceland (Íslandsbanki) for exceptional achievement in higher education.
Related Employment
2023-2026 Director, commercial, branded, narrative, and documentary projects
2021-2026 Impact Producer, Associate Producer, Research Producer, and Camera Operator, The Day Iceland Stood Still, Krumma Films
2025 Editor, Emergency Contact (short documentary film), dir. Roger Ellis
2024-2025 Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University
Taught an intensive hands-on workshop on the fundamentals of filmmaking to undergraduate students
2023-2024 Assistant Editor (Graduate Assistant), Northwestern University
2023 Audio-Visual Technician, Academic Affairs Division, University of Iceland
2022-2023 Associate Producer, Assistant Editor, and Research Associate, My Sister-in-Law, the Prime Minister, Krumma Films
2021-2022 Director and Line Producer, Heima (Home), 6 × 25-minute documentary television series
2021 Marketing Manager, Sagafilm Productions
Led press communications and developed and presented marketing campaigns
2021 Art Department Coordinator, Suddenly, True North Productions
2020-2021 Post-Production Coordinator, Sagafilm Productions, Stella Blómkvist and Sisterhood