After a 13-year hiatus, the Hungarian Film Festival (Magyar Filmszemle) is making a triumphant return. Scheduled for 3–9 February at Budapest’s Corvin Cinema, the event has garnered over 300 submissions across eight categories, setting a new record in its history.
The overwhelming number of submissions underscores the festival’s renewed significance. According to the organizers, the entries span a wide array of categories, including feature films, short films, animated works (both full-length and short), documentaries, short documentaries, experimental films, and television series. An expert pre-selection jury will narrow the submissions to 150 films to compete in the festival’s official programme.
Festival Director András Muhi expressed his delight at the extraordinary interest, emphasizing the diversity of genres represented and the promising participation of emerging filmmakers. Budapest Film CEO Tamás Liszka highlighted the symbolic importance of the Corvin Cinema once again becoming a hub for Hungarian films, creators, and enthusiasts. ‘The submissions signal a hopeful spring for Hungarian cinema,’ Liszka remarked.
The Hungarian Film Festival dates back to 1965, when it began in Pécs as the Hungarian Feature Film Festival, exclusively showcasing feature-length productions. Over the decades, the programme expanded to include documentary and animated films, with its name changing to the Hungarian Film Festival in 1989. Traditionally held during the first week of February, the event was aligned with the Berlin Film Festival and ran annually until 2011. Over the years, 37 films have claimed the festival’s prestigious main prize.
The revival of the Hungarian Film Festival promises to rekindle interest in the nation’s cinematic heritage while spotlighting new talent. With a rich tradition and an exciting line-up in the making, this cultural event is poised to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike.
Details about the 44th Hungarian Film Festival are available on the event’s official website.
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