“When I need to film in a city that looks European, I always choose Budapest,” said Robert Lantos, a producer with lots of experience.
Filming in Hungary has many benefits. There’s plenty of space for production, and they’ve had tax rebates for 20 years. They even have eight symphony orchestras and thermal baths!
During a discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, Csaba Kael, a film commissioner, and producers Ildikó Kemeny, Robert Lantos, and Mike Goodridge talked about their experiences filming in Hungary.
Kael mentioned that Hungary has been making commercial films since the early 1900s. He said filmmaking is a big part of their culture. Only the U.K. makes more films than Hungary. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hungary’s tax rebate program, which gives a 30% rebate to films made there.
Lantos has been filming in Hungary since the 1990s. He said, “Whenever I need a European-looking city, I go straight to Budapest.” He’s found Hungary to be the most reliable place for getting tax rebates smoothly.
In 2023, Hungary spent a record $910 million on film production, way more than the $183 million in 2018. The National Film Institute is expanding its studio complex to accommodate more productions.
Kemeny worked on a film called Poor Things, which was shot in Hungary. They recreated Lisbon and a luxury cruise liner there. She said they chose Hungary because it was economically favorable. Hungary is now handling four or five productions each year for their company.
Hungary’s film industry is growing, with over 80% of crew members on big international films being Hungarian. Like Zsuzsa Mihalek, Hungarian talent is gaining recognition, who won an Oscar for production design.
The National Film Institute is training local talent through workshops and internships. They also partner with film schools to teach students about the latest technology.
Although the story is set in various countries, Lantos shot a series called Rise of the Raven entirely in Hungary. They built sets for castles and forts, taking advantage of Hungary’s skilled construction workers.
Hungary is also suitable for post-production work. Its symphony orchestras record music, and filmmakers like Lanthimos process films in local labs.
Goodridge, who’s about to start filming in Hungary, praised the country’s easy access to Europe and its hospitality industry. He mentioned the great food, wine, and thermal baths as some of his favorite things about Hungary.
Having a comfortable environment is essential for foreign talent, even with tax incentives. Hungary has become a preferred destination for many stars and filmmakers.”