Andri Snær Magnason (1973) is an Icelandic writer born in Reykjavik, who has written novels, poetry, plays, short stories, essays and songs. He is the co-director of the documentary film Dreamland. His work has been published or performed in more than 20 countries. His novel, “LoveStar”, was chosen “Novel of the year” by Icelandic booksellers 2002, it received the DV Literary Award and a nomination at the Icelandic Literary Prize. His children’s book, “The Story of the Blue Planet”, was the first children’s book to receive the Icelandic Literary Prize and has been published and performed in 22 countries. The Story of the Blue Planet received the Janusz Korczak Honorary Award in 2000 and the West Nordic Children’s Book Prize 2002. The play from the story was performed on the main stage of YPT in Toronto in 2005. Andri Snær Magnason has collaborated with various artists, mostly with a band called Múm. He has been active in the fight against the destruction of the Icelandic Highlands. His book, “Dreamland – a Self Help Manual for a Frightened Nation”, takes on these issues. “Dreamland ”has been published in English, Danish, German and Japanese and has become a feature length documentary film. Footage from “Dreamland” and an interview with Andri can be seen in Charles Ferguson’s Oscar winning documentary – “Inside Job”. Andri Snær Magnason was the winner of the Kairos Award of 2010 – granted by the Alfred Toepfer institute in Hamburg.
