Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir is a graduate of the Columbia University Film MFA programm. Before going to film school, Asa studied English and French literature and worked as a book critic for the Icelandic National Radio. Asa has written and directed a number of short films.
Most notable is her award-winning thesis film Astarsaga, which played at more than 40 festivals including Clermont-Ferrand and Palm Springs. It was also a finalist for the 2014 Student Academy Awards. The Swan is her debute feature film.
Estonian Film Institute
