By his teens Lyngdal was a prodigy, winning numerous awards for video art and short films. After studying cinematic arts at the prestigious CECC in Barcelona, Lyngdal returned to his native Iceland. Not forgetting his artistic roots he directed a slew of shorts and choreographic shorts, winning awards and exhibiting around the globe including the Reykjavik Short Film Festival, Nordisk Panorama, Prague Shorts Festival, the St. Petersburg International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Most notably Burst a choreographed short film he did in collaboration with choreographer Katrin Hall (Artistic Director of Gothenburg Operas dance company). It was nominated at the Icelandic academy awards Edda as the best short film in 2003. The short and its choreography was later used as the bases for Shakira's - Did it again, music video.

Lyngdal was chosen by the European Film Academy & Wim Wenders to create and direct the short film, KISSING shown at the European Film Academy Awards 2003

His short film drama The Magician won the Icelandic academy award Edda as the best short film in 2005.

Lyngdal directed and wrote the "The new year satire 2006" (Áramótaskaup) a 60 min comedy show that is aired on Icelandic national TV every new years day. The show got good reviews and a record 92% viewing.

During 2008 - 2009 most of his time was spent directing the four-part mini-series "The Cliff" a dramatic crime story that involves paranormal incidents and ghosts in rural Iceland. After premiering on RUV the Icelandic national broadcaster to record ratings and good reviews.

His first feature film the romantic comedy Our Own Oslo became the second biggest grossing film of 2011 in Iceland. It was the opening film of The 60th International Film-festival Mannheim-Heidelberg.

Lyngdal spent the winter of 2011-12 on Langjökull glacier helming his second feature film sic-fi thriller Frost. Frost was selected to competed for the golden skull trophy at Screamfest LA 2013.

Lyngdal returned to direct the second season of the Cliff. The Cliff 2 aka The Lava field. The second season got even better ratings and reviews then the first season in Iceland. It was picked up by Netflix. In 2016 it was one of the biggest drama for France/German broadcaster Arte. It won the Icelandic academy award Edda as the best TV drama in 2015.

Lyngdal is currently developing One Kiss a romantic comedy with Pegasus pictures (Iceland) and Ugly duckling films (UK) and Reykjavík Freestyle a dance drama TV series with RUV (national broadcaster Iceland) and Pegasus pictures (Iceland)

Lyngdal's commercial efforts have received a number of awards at home and abroad. His commercials for Thule Breweries were shortlisted at Cannes Lions. He has directed over 300 commercials in his native Iceland as well as internationally.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Reynir Lyngdal

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Second Unit or Assistant Director

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