The 4th Edda Awards were held on 10 November 2002 in the National Theater of Iceland in Reykjavik. The awards were hosted by TV presenters Valgerður Matthíasdóttir and the previous year's Best Television Personality Logi Bergmann Eiðsson.
The Professional Awards were divided into three categories (Screenplay, Visual Design and Sound and Cinematography). Short films got their own category as well. As in previous years the public was able to cast their votes online. The Icelandic Film and Television Academy had 70% say in the results and the public 30%. Except for the Best Television Personality where the public had 100% say in the results. Around 800 people cast their votes online up to the awards.
The film Hafið, directed by Baltasar Kormákur received most nominations. The film was nominated for twelve awards in nine categories and won eight. Kormákur personally won two of those awards for directing and screenwriting. He dedicated his Best Film award to the National Theater of Iceland with these words: "Án leikhússins væri kvikmyndagerðin fátækari" ("Without this theater filmmaking would be poor"). And that it pleased him to see so many great actors who had worked in the theater receive their awards that evening.
Another interesting film among the critics was the animated children's film Litla lirfan ljóta, which was nominated in two categories and won one award.
Best Actor Gunnar Eyjólfsson was away with the Icelandic national chess team in Slovenia on the night of the ceremony, and accepted his award through Kormákur's mobilephone to great amusement.
Edda Award for Best Visual DesignEdda Award for Best Sound and Cinema PhotographyEdda Award for Best Short FilmEdda Award for Best Music VideoThe nominees and winners were: (Winners highlighted in bold)
Best Film:
Fálkar, directed by Friðrik Þór FriðrikssonHafið, directed by Baltasar KormákurRegína, directed by María SigurðardóttirBest Director:
Baltasar Kormákur, for HafiðGunnar Karlsson, for Litla lirfan ljótaÓskar Jónasson, for 20/20 og Áramótaskaupið 2001Best Actor:
Gunnar Eyjólfsson, for HafiðHilmir Snær Guðnason, for Hafið and Reykjavík Guesthouse Rent a BikeKeith Carradine, for FálkarBest Actress:
Elva Ósk Ólafsdóttir, for HafiðGuðrún S. Gísladóttir, for HafiðHalldóra Geirharðsdóttir, for RegínaBest Supporting Actor:
Jón Sigurbjörnsson, for 20/20Sigurður Skúlason, for Hafið and GemsarÞorsteinn Guðmundsson, for Maður eins og égBest Supporting Actress:
Herdís Þorvaldsdóttir, for HafiðKristbjörg Kjeld, for HafiðSólveig Arnarsdóttir, for RegínaBest Screenplay:
Baltasar Kormákur and Ólafur Haukur Símonarson, for HafiðÁrni Óli Ásgeirsson and Róbert Douglas, for Maður eins og égÁrni Þórarinsson and Páll Pálsson, for 20/20Best Sound and Cinema Photography:
Harald Paalgarrd, for cinema photography in FálkarSigurður Sverrir Pálsson, for cinema photography in Málarinn og sálmurinn hans um litinnValdís Óskarsdóttir, for editing in HafiðBest Visual Design:
Ásta Ríkharðsdóttir, for set design in Hvernig sem við reynum and Allir hlutir fallegirGunnar Karlsson, for creative direction in Litla lirfan ljótaTonie Jan Zetterström, for set design in HafiðBest Documentary:
TyrkjarániðHver hengir upp þvottinn?Noi, Pam og mennirnir þeirraMöhöguleikarÍ skóm drekansBest television program (staged):
Áramótaskaupið 2001Í faðmi hafsins20/20Best Television Program:
Sjálfstætt fólkHM 4-4-2Af fingrum framFólk með SirrýÍsland í bítiðBest News Anchor:
Árni Snævarr, for Stöð 2 NewsBrynhildur Ólafsdóttir, for Stöð 2 NewsG. Pétur Mattíasson, for RÚV NewsBest Short Film:
Litla lirfan ljótaMemphisBest Music Video:
Land & synir – If, directed by Samúel Bjarki Pétursson and Gunnar Páll ÓlafssonSálin hans Jóns míns – Á nýjum stað, directed by Samúel Bjarki Pétursson and Gunnar Páll ÓlafssonStuðmenn - Hvernig sem ég reyni, directed by Ragnar BragasonBest Television Personality:
Sverrir Sverrisson (Sveppi)Honorary Award:
Magnús Magnússon, for a 40-year career in television.