The 11th edition of the Explorers Festival brings together filmmakers, scientists, and explorers from around the world to celebrate human curiosity and our shared spirit of discovery. The 2025 program features five days of film screenings, talks, and field expeditions exploring the Earth, the Arctic, and beyond.
.Dates: November 11–16, 2025. .Location: The Eurovision Exhibition, Húsavík, Iceland.
Thursday, November 13
17:00 Formal Opening of the 11th Explorers Festival
Short opening remarks from:
– Katrín Sigurjónsdóttir, mayor of Húsavík (Norðurþing Municipality)
– H.E. Mr. R. Ravindra, Ambassador of India to Iceland
– Joanie Simon, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America
17:30 “From Chandrayaan to Artemis: A New Age of Lunar Exploration”
Award-winning journalist and space commentator Tira Shubart explores the new chapter of humanity’s return to the Moon, from India’s Chandrayaan missions to NASA’s Artemis program. Drawing on her deep experience covering science and global affairs, Shubart will discuss how India, China, the United States and the ESA are shaping the next era of lunar exploration.
19:30 – 22:30 Film Screenings
19:30 – Chasing the Arctic Melt (20 min) + Q&A with filmmaker Stella Papadopoulou
20:00 – Look Down Not Up (51 min) + Q&A with filmmakers Richard Silber & Yehuda Goldma
21:00 – A Tale of Two Qallunaat (48 min)
Friday, November 14
09:00 Geology Field Trip to Þeistareykir and Lake Mývatn
Led by local geologists and expedition guides. (For registered participants)
Meeting point: Húsavík Cape Hotel reception
17:00-19:00 Film Screenings
Adventure, discovery, and the human drive to go further.
20:00
Saturday, November 15
09:30 Film Screenings (Group 1)
13:00 Film Screenings (Group 2)
17:00 Film Screenings (Group 3)
19:00 Festival Dinner
19:30 Space Inspires Us to Higher Orbits
Speaker: Michelle Lucas
Former NASA Astronaut Trainer and founder of the non-profit Higher Orbits, Michelle Lucas shares how the wonder of space has shaped her life, from her early days in Mission Control at Johnson Space Center to her current mission of inspiring students around the world. Through her story, Lucas shows how exploration beyond Earth can spark curiosity, creativity, and purpose here on our own planet.
21:00 Film Screenings (Group 4)
Sunday, November 16
10:30 Geology Field Trip to Tungulending
Morning excursion exploring fossils and coastal geology. (For registered participants)
13:00 “Our Dance with the Nightbear”
Rafnar Orri Gunnarsson, Elvar Örn Egilsson and Örlygur Örlygsson share the story of their North Pole adventure and the making of North Pole ’85.
13:30 GeoSpace IV Student Presentation: Ava Crowder
14:00 The legacy of Beverly Turner Lynds – discussion with her family members Leslie and Paul
14:30 Extra terrestrial life in our Solar System – presented by Tira Shubart
15:00 Film Screenings (Group 5) Greenland Films
18:00 Leif Erikson Awards Dinner
Presentation of the 2025 Leif Erikson Award and announcement of the winners of the 11th Explorers Film Festival.
