AGP Executive Report

UEFA Nations League (Ireland-Israel): Ireland’s squad voted to go ahead with the controversial Nations League doubleheader against Israel after hours of talks and delays in Hungary. Sports & Culture: Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew, saying he couldn’t participate over Gaza atrocities, while Ireland confirmed black armbands and reduced media duties. Film Buzz: Robert Eggers’ gothic folk-horror Werwulf got a second trailer, timed with the full moon, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe. Local Sports Watch: Iceland’s own Nations League action continues with Iceland vs Estonia ending 1-1, as international fixtures roll on. Streaming Guide: Fans can catch Norway vs Portugal in the Nations League, with broadcast details and live-stream options highlighted for viewers. Marathon Watch: The Berlin Marathon 2026 is set for Sunday, with live-stream viewing info and key runners to look out for. Film Awards: Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care won big at San Sebastián, taking the Golden Shell and Best Screenplay.

Icelandic Arts & Culture: Apple’s 2026 slate spotlights Iceland in a big way with The Last First: Winter K2, a documentary about an extreme winter climb led by Icelandic climber John Snorri Sigurjónsson—one of 10 Apple Original Films to watch this year. Film & TV Buzz: Robert Eggers’ medieval horror Werwulf ramps up the hype with a second trailer release timed to the full moon, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp. Local Talent Spotlight: A 13-year-old from Garðabær, Leon Alexander, is turning heads in China by learning Chinese, training in martial arts, and sharing “face-changing” culture with Iceland audiences. Sports (Iceland ties): Iceland’s international window continues with Estonia visiting Reykjavik for Nations League action, while Iceland’s Andri Gudjohnsen is mentioned as a possible factor in the next round. Entertainment Elsewhere: Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care wins big at San Sebastián, taking the Golden Shell and Best Screenplay.

Boycott Pressure on Ireland-Israel Match: Republic of Ireland players are weighing a collective refusal to play in the Nations League opener in Debrecen, Hungary, as training and press plans reportedly get delayed and some players say they “don’t want to play.” The debate is fueled by Gaza outrage, with calls from Irish athletes and an open letter from Irish Sport for Palestine pushing the FAI to withdraw. Nordic Arts Spotlight: “Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art” opens at Vesterheim, bringing contemporary Nordic folk art—paper cuttings, rosemaling, weaving, skinnfell and ceramics—into a modern spotlight. Iceland Football on the Pitch: Iceland kick off their Nations League campaign at home vs Estonia, with coverage also noting Iceland’s international window and upcoming matches. Film & Festival Buzz: TIFF 2026 highlights Zack Snyder’s indie-leaning “The Last Photograph,” while Edmonton’s film fest marks 40 years with international lineups including Iceland. Music Scene: Gallus release “Life Is Bliss,” and Enslaved teases more with “Tales Of Trees” ahead of a 2027 European tour.

Music Spotlight: Glasgow punk five-piece Gallus release new album Life Is Bliss today via Marshall Records, sharing the video for “Something There.” Live Music (Iceland): Queens of the Stone Age add a Reykjavík stop—Laugardalshöll on Oct. 24—plus a full run of tour dates. Film & Culture: Robert Eggers’ medieval horror Werwulf drops a new trailer release date teaser for Sept. 26, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp. Local Arts/Environment: Iceland Fashion Week goes fur-free after an investigation into Icelandic fur farms, as campaigners push for an end to fur farming. Sports & Society: The Ireland–Israel Nations League dispute keeps escalating, with calls for boycott and sharp back-and-forth between officials. Nordic Security: Sweden and Finland conduct a joint jet interception over the Gulf of Finland, tracking Russian aircraft in a first-of-its-kind operation.

Eurovision Politics: The Netherlands is set to return to Eurovision in 2027 after boycotting 2026 over Israel’s participation, with NPO taking over the entry and NOS handling coverage in Bulgaria—while AVROTROS still refuses to come back. Iceland Fashion & Activism: A new investigation into Icelandic fur farms is pushing pressure on the government to end fur farming, and Iceland Fashion Week has gone fur-free in response. Iceland Screen Spotlight: The inaugural Freyas Nordic Film & TV Awards in Helsinki crowned Finland’s “Nightborn” and Icelandic-American “Reykjavik Fusion” (Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Series), with “The Danish Woman” also winning big. Iceland Sports & Culture: Iceland kicks off its 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign at home vs Estonia, starting a four-match run in League C Group 4. Music in the Region: Queens of the Stone Age announce a Reykjavík stop at Laugardalshöll as part of their 2027 tour. Nordic Security: Finland and Sweden scramble fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft in a joint Gulf of Finland operation.

Eurovision Politics: The Netherlands is set to return to Eurovision in 2027 after boycotting 2026 over Israel’s participation, with the NPO taking over from AVROTROS and NOS handling coverage plus an independent panel selecting the Dutch act. Nordic Screen Awards: Finland’s Freyas (Nordic Film & TV Awards) crowned Hanna Bergholm’s Nightborn and Benedikt Erlingsson’s The Danish Woman, with Icelandic-American actor Ólafur Darri Ólafsson winning for Reykjavik Fusion. Iceland Sports Spotlight: Iceland kicks off its 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign at home against Estonia, aiming to bounce back after relegation and a tough run of results. Music (Reykjavík Date): Queens of the Stone Age announce a Reykjavík stop at Laugardalshöll as part of their Perfecth tour, with the new single “Where The Goth Girls At?” leading the rollout. AI & Culture: A new Prime Video doc, The AI Doc: or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, tackles AI risks and how to slow down safer development. Local Arts/Design: Danish chair legend Hans J. Wegner gets fresh attention as the “king of chairs” influence keeps spreading worldwide. Food & Film Festival: Wild Fish Slow Food Film Festival spotlights conservation, community, and sustainable food, including Iceland-linked salmon coverage.

Nordic Screen Spotlight: The inaugural Freyas – Nordic Film & TV Awards in Helsinki crowned Hanna Bergholm’s horror “Nightborn” and Benedikt Erlingsson’s “The Danish Woman” as top film and series, with Icelandic-American Ólafur Darri Ólafsson winning Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Series for “Reykjavik Fusion.” Iceland Fashion/Heritage: 66°North marks its 100th anniversary by raiding its archives for a retro “100-Year Capsule,” updating classic silhouettes with modern performance fabrics. Eurovision Politics: The Netherlands confirms it will return to Eurovision 2027 after boycotting 2026 over Israel’s participation, with NPO taking over selection and NOS handling coverage. Iceland-EU Watch: A new Iceland referendum recap says voters narrowly rejected reopening EU accession talks, with the biggest shift among younger voters. Music & Metal: Enslaved teases “Tales Of Trees” and announces a 2027 UK/Europe co-headline tour with Sólstafir.

Football & Activism: Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and captain Dara O’Shea faced fresh questions over Nations League fixtures against Israel, as Amnesty urged UEFA/FIFA to suspend Israel’s FA over settlement-linked participation and protests grow around the doubleheader. Matchday Focus: Ireland’s Kosovo opener in Pristina looms amid the noise, with the squad set to discuss the Israel games after Thursday’s match. Eurovision Politics: The Netherlands is back for Eurovision 2027 after a 2026 boycott tied to Gaza/Israel controversy, with NPO taking over selection and the EBU tightening hosting rules. Music Spotlight: Enslaved released new single “Tales Of Trees” and announced a 2027 UK/Europe co-headline tour with Sólstafir; Queens of the Stone Age previewed “Where The Goth Girls At?” ahead of “Perfecth.” Arts & Culture: The Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films unveiled a 25-title shortlist ahead of El Gouna. Iceland Angle: A referendum recap notes Iceland narrowly rejected reopening EU accession talks, with the biggest shift among younger voters.

Iceland-spotlight Sports & Culture: Ireland’s Nations League doubleheader with Israel is turning into a full-blown cultural flashpoint, with protests in Dublin and a war of words between coach Heimir Hallgrímsson (who said “we’re playing against genocide”) and the Israel FA, while the Irish Taoiseach backs UN chief António Guterres on West Bank settlement “ethnic cleansing” fears and calls for Israel FA to withdraw remarks. Film & TV: Finnish and Icelandic screen worlds collide as Helsinki-filmi and Reykjavik’s Glassriver team up on the crime series “Tango Metal,” pitched at Finnish Film Affair, with a Reykjavik-set plot that blends investigation, tango, and metal-band vibes. Music: Genre fans get a Nordic boost as Helsinki’s Finnish Film Affair hosts the Nordic Genre Lab, pitching eight thriller/horror projects including Finland’s “Alma” and the Faroese horror “Whistler.” Arts & Heritage: A new report warns climate change is putting 43% of Europe’s UNESCO sites at high risk, threatening everything from historic buildings to paintings and musical-instrument traditions. Local Faith: Selfoss in southern Iceland consecrates its new Church of the Holy Cross, marking a fresh start for a growing Catholic community. Music Release: Supergroup Rainbow Body announces its debut album, recorded in Iceland’s Flóki Studios, with proceeds supporting the North Atlantic Salmon Fund.

Eurovision Boycott: Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE chief José Pablo López backs extending its Eurovision snub over Israel’s participation, potentially adding another country to the growing list of broadcasters pulling out. Music Spotlight: Iceland-recorded supergroup Rainbow Body has announced its debut album Rainbow Body (out Oct. 23), with “Strange Memory” leading; proceeds support the North Atlantic Salmon Fund. Iceland Film/TV Industry: Helsinki-filmi and Iceland’s Glassriver team up on a new slate, starting with Finnish crime series Tango Metal, pitched at Helsinki’s film industry event. Sports & Culture Clash: Ireland’s Nations League doubleheader vs Israel is still set to go ahead on neutral ground, despite “Stop the Game” protests and a war of words involving Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrímsson’s “genocide” remark and Israel FA’s sharp rebuttal. Arts & Community: Café Salcedo turns coffee into a daily art ritual, blending fine-art collecting with a new generation-led café concept.

Iceland–Finland Screen Deal: Helsinki-filmi and Iceland’s Glassriver team up for a three-title slate, kicking off with crime series “Tango Metal,” where a Finnish reporter investigates a ritual murder in Reykjavík and teams up with a Reykjavik detective. Broadcast Tech in Iceland: Sýn has deployed Open Broadcast Systems’ low-latency IP encoders/decoders to move TV feeds across Iceland’s tough conditions. Music & Culture: Iceland post-punk legends Purrkur Pillnikk announce their first new material in 44 years, the November album “& aftur.” Football & Politics: Heimir Hallgrímsson’s “genocide” comments spark a furious response from the Israeli FA, with a UEFA complaint expected. Arctic Security: Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. are set to sign a Greenland security deal, aiming to place Arctic security under NATO’s watch. Fashion Spotlight: London-based Icelandic designer Sól Hansdóttir shifts from full collections to “hybrid garments” for SS27. RIFF Picks: Reykjavík International Film Festival unveils a vetted shortlist, including buzzed-about premieres and standout screenings.

Icelandic Film Spotlight: Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) is back, and our RIFF-Raff guide is here to help you pick what to watch—featuring vetted picks like Olivia Colman’s raunchy A24-leaning fairytale-fable Wicker and more. Music News: Iceland post-punk legends Purrkur Pillnikk are releasing their first new material in 44 years—album & aftur lands in November, with a fresh wave of activity after last year’s surprise Smekkleysa show. Live Arts & Community: Crossroads Cultural Connections brings Skye Consort & Emma Björling to Cambridge on Sept 27 for Scandinavian-and-Celtic chamber-folk, built around fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki and more. Culture & Identity: A Winnipeg celebration marked 140 years of Lögberg-Heimskringla, a long-running “friend in print” for the Icelandic diaspora. Tech & Society: Gen Z is pushing back on doomscrolling and phone dependency, with more people actively trying to rebalance their online lives.

Arctic Research: Norway is launching a year-long expedition where scientists and crew will drift trapped in Arctic sea ice to study a rapidly changing polar ocean. Fashion & Sustainability: London-based Icelandic designer Sól Hansdóttir is shifting from full ready-to-wear collections to “hybrid garments,” aiming for a more sustainable, accessible approach. Film Buzz: Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman is surging on streaming again, with Anya Taylor-Joy’s return helping it rank among the week’s most-watched movies. Icelandic Community Abroad: Winnipeg’s Lögberg-Heimskringla newspaper is celebrating nearly 140 years of continuous publication for the Icelandic diaspora. Culture & Diplomacy: The Indian Embassy in Iceland marked Uttar Pradesh Diwas with cultural performances and ODOP product showcases, spotlighting tourism and investment. Sports & Politics: More than 160 Irish athletes have urged a boycott of Israel fixtures, while Ireland’s manager Heimir Hallgrímsson says some players feel “really uncomfortable.” Geopolitics: Macron and Canada’s Carney pledged closer ties in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon after Trump’s map sparked a sovereignty row.

Iceland Airwaves 2026: Reykjavík’s five-night music takeover returns 5–7 November with 100+ acts across seven venues, built for discovery in the city’s dark-season streets. Streaming Spotlight: Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman is back in the global spotlight, boosted by a new streaming surge featuring Anya Taylor-Joy and Icelandic singer Björk. Film Buzz: TIFF’s People’s Choice went to Spain’s La Bola Negra, with I Play Rocky and Being Heumann as runners-up—an Oscar-race signal for audiences. Diplomacy & Culture: France’s Macron and Canada’s Carney pledged closer ties from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, underscoring sovereignty after Trump’s controversial map. Local Community: India’s UP Diwas celebration landed in Iceland with cultural performances and ODOP product showcases at the Indian Embassy. Health & Families: A new explainer asks whether girls are getting periods earlier—and what parents can realistically do. Wellness Travel: A look at Europe’s wellness-resort boom highlights how thermal water, nature, and local rituals keep drawing travelers.

Iceland Airwaves 2026: Reykjavík is gearing up for five nights of music and discovery, with 100+ acts across seven city-centre venues from 5–7 November. Wellness Tourism: A new wave of longevity and wellness travel is being pitched as a serious hospitality investment, with Europe’s thermal-and-ritual model still leading the way. Local Arts & Culture: The 23rd Reykjavík International Film Festival has unveiled its full programme. Music Spotlight: Iceland’s own Björk is set to play a DJ set at Rome’s Dissonanze Festival. Screen & Story: The Israeli documentary Naza is drawing major attention after its Venice win, spotlighting AI-linked targeting practices. Sports in Iceland: A U.S. powerlifter is preparing to represent the U.S. at a bench press world championship in Iceland next month. Human Interest: Remembering Donna McCaw, an arts-and-community champion who helped drive local causes.

Iceland Airwaves 2026: Reykjavík is gearing up for five nights of music and discovery, with the festival running 5–7 November and featuring 100+ Icelandic and international acts across seven city-centre venues. Local Arts & Culture: A new Time-Based Art Festival app, Rimini Protokoll’s “The Walks,” turns everyday streets into short, audio-guided theatre experiences you can download. Film Spotlight: “The Odyssey” is getting major buzz for being shot entirely on IMAX 70mm with practical effects and locations including Iceland. Wellness Tourism: A wave of longevity and wellness travel is being pitched as a real estate and hospitality asset class, while Chiva-Som Hua Hin announces an Adrienne Everett yoga residency (7–9 Nov). Human Rights & Community: Rights groups protested Turkey’s anti-LGBTQ crackdown in Washington, as Iceland’s own cultural scene continues to spotlight community-focused stories. Sports (Iceland tie-in): A local powerlifter is set to represent the US at bench press worlds in Iceland next month.