A post-metal band plays at a screening of a vintage Viking saga. Björk shows up to check out the latest films by Pedro Almodovar and Athina Rachel Tsingari. Filmmakers relax in warm mineral-laden waters at the ocean’s edge. Industry members are invited to the President of Iceland’s house to chat about the state of the film business. It’s a typical day at the Reykjavik International Film Festival.

But Iceland isn’t just hot springs and Vikings — well-situated between Europe and North America, the country is booming as a shooting destination. Riff provides a key place for filmmakers to network and learn more about the production scene in the small country with the big production incentives.

“The festival is a very good place for people to meet,” says Riff director Hrönn Marinósdóttir. “The Icelandic industry is really growing. I think we have a new generation of really talented...