CHINA Edition
Hungarian Edition
The Tony Curtis International Film Festival (TCIFF) concluded on September 21, 2024, in Mátészalka, closing a successful three-day celebration of film. Organized by the Hungarian Hollywood Council, Mátészalka Municipality, and Origo Film Group, the event paid tribute to Tony Curtis, whose Hungarian roots are deeply tied to the town.The event’s full house audiences reinforced the words of Adolph Zukor: “The public is never wrong.”
Jill Curtis-Weber, widow of the iconic actor, served as the guest of honor. She shared how much Tony cherished his Hungarian heritage and how proud he would be to see his legacy celebrated here. The festival’s theme, Back to the Roots, resonated deeply with her, and she expressed her gratitude for the heartfelt tribute. The festival concluded with a symbolic wreath-laying ceremony at Tony Curtis’ memorial plaque on the wall of Mátészalka’s Synagogue, offering a fitting close to the event’s festivities.
This year’s festival featured 33 finalist films from 17 countries, selected by a jury led by award-winning director Attila Szász. Audiences enjoyed a diverse program of documentaries, feature films, and shorts, with nearly 20 additional events that included panel discussions and filmmaker meet-and-greets. Renowned Hungarian film professionals like Róbert Koltai, Iván Kamarás, and Gábor Piroch were present, adding to the festival’s engaging atmosphere and providing valuable insights to attendees.
During the closing gala, Balázs Bokor, President of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, expressed his delight at the festival’s success and its impact on the town’s cultural life. Mayor Dr. Péter Hanusi echoed this, emphasizing how Mátészalka has now firmly placed itself on the international film map. Both leaders announced ambitious plans for 2025, when the festival will celebrate Tony Curtis’ 100th birthday, promising an even larger event featuring global film stars and notable personalities.
Among the competition winners, “Six Weeks”, directed by Noémi Veronika Szakonyi, took home the top prize for Best Feature Film, awarded by the Mátészalka Municipality. Dér Asia’s “I Am Not Dying” won Best Documentary, and Edit Jakab’s “Deer Roaring” claimed Best Short Documentary. Mo Harawe’s “My Parents Are Visiting Me?” won Best Short Film, awarded 300,000 HUF by the National Association of Entrepreneurs. The awards celebrated not just the films but also the creative talents behind them, including directors, actors, and cinematographers.
Additional awards recognized standout achievements, such as the Paramount Premium Award, which went to multiple films, including Réka Pigniczky’s Kaláka – From the Carpathians to the Caribbean, Barnabás Tóth’s Mesterjátszma, Nicholas Gyeney’s The Activated Man, Dahlia Nemlich’s Somewhere in the Middle, Zahra Mojahed’s Without a Sound and Kálmán Nagy’s The Other End of the Street. Áron Gauder was named Best Director for “The Four Souls of a Coyote”, and Steven Samy won Best Cinematography for “My Parents Are Visiting Me?”. In the acting categories, Zoltán Bezerédi won Best Actor for “All About the Levkoviches”, while Katalin Román claimed Best Actress for “Six Weeks”. The festival’s favorite, “Six Weeks”, also took home the Mátészalka Audience Award, further cementing its popularity.
The Tony Curtis International Film Festival successfully celebrated both local and international cinema while honoring the legacy of Tony Curtis. With its diverse selection of films, meaningful tributes, and vibrant atmosphere, the event continues to grow in importance. As plans for the 2025 edition take shape, Mátészalka is poised to host an even larger festival, further establishing itself as a key destination in the global film community.
