Lights, camera, action! Hungary and China launch silver screen tie-up

Hungary's film industry is emerging as one of Europe's premier production hubs, and a newly signed cooperation agreement with China is set to bolster its global profile. By fostering partnerships and cultural exchanges, Hungary aims to position itself at the forefront of international cinema.

On the outskirts of Budapest, the NFI Studios Complex in Fot, Hungary, has become a centerpiece of this vision. Spanning 22 hectares, the facility began major development three years ago and is now Hungary's largest film studio. Its state-of-the-art, 5,000-square-meter complex is tailored to meet the growing demand for film production.

"This is one of our proudest achievements," said Ildikó Ottinger, director of the Fot Studio Complex. "The studio can be divided into two separate studios using a mobile wall, making it a versatile space."

A booming industry

Hungary's film industry is thriving. Over 300 productions are filmed in the country annually, contributing $910 million to the economy in 2023 - a remarkable fourfold increase in just five years. Efforts like the Fot Studios project, which increased the country's production capacity by 22 percent, have drawn significant international attention.

The expansion coincides with a pivotal moment: last May, Hungary's National Film Institute (NFI) signed a ground-breaking agreement with China's National Radio and Television Administration. This collaboration sets the stage for co-productions and a deeper cultural exchange between the two nations.

"Chinese productions have not been filmed here because there was no framework to make this possible," Ottinger explained. "But now, with this new cooperation, I believe that will change. We can expect Chinese productions to begin filming in Hungary, particularly in this studio."

Collaboration across cultures

The agreement presents fresh opportunities for filmmakers from both countries. 

Reika Temple, a producer at Cabbage Film Factory, is among those excited about the potential collaborations. Temple's animated feature Four Souls of Coyote won the Golden Goblet at the 25th Shanghai Film Festival, exemplifying the kind of creative synergy Hungary hopes to cultivate.

"We are very open to working with companies around the world," Temple said. "Collaboration and co-production are always interesting because it's much more exciting to see the perspective of others."

Temple is currently working on introducing Chinese audiences to Lengesemek, a story about fictional green creatures living in Hungary's largest lake, Balaton. She believes the film's universal themes will resonate internationally.

"It's amazing how well the story travels from Lake Balaton to Beijing," Temple said. "The audience understands it because we speak about universal themes."

Building bridges through cinema

Hungary's investment in its film infrastructure is significant, but its filmmakers believe the stories they tell will ultimately transcend borders. With state-of-the-art facilities and new international collaborations, the country is poised to make a lasting mark on global cinema.

As Temple noted, "It will be the stories we tell that unite cultures and bring people together through the art of cinema."