Hungary Emerges as Europe’s Second-Largest Film Production Hub, Following London

Hungary has officially become the second most important center for film production in Europe, trailing only London. Csaba Kael, the government commissioner for film, made this announcement at the opening of the Made in Hungary film festival, held in London at the Hungarian Cultural Centre.

Kael highlighted Hungary’s impressive track record, stating that over 500 international productions have been shot in the country in the past two decades. This surge in production is largely due to Hungary’s unified tax rebate system, which attracts filmmakers from across the globe. Additionally, Hungary’s outstanding studio infrastructure and reputation as a safe production environment have made it a sought-after destination for major film projects.

Budapest and its surrounding areas are home to five major studios, with plans for even further growth. By the end of the year, the expansion of the National Film Institute’s facility in Fót is expected to increase Hungary’s studio capacity by an impressive 22%. Kael emphasized the value of Hungary’s film industry professionals, who have honed their skills over 123 years of cinematic history. Remarkably, Hungarian crew members make up 80% of the workforce on international productions filmed in the country.

In a significant marker of Hungary’s growing dominance in the industry, Kael shared that the total spending on film productions in Hungary reached a staggering USD 910 million last year—a fourfold increase compared to 2018. The number of productions with budgets exceeding USD 1.5 million has doubled in recent years.

Highlighting Hungary’s long-standing contribution to global cinema, Kael also noted that Hungarian filmmakers have won 27 Oscars since 1934. The Hungarian Movie Days festival in London is aimed at showcasing Hungary’s film industry to British producers and production companies, further strengthening ties and promoting co-productions that can reach wider audiences.

As Hungary continues to climb in prominence as a film production powerhouse, it is clear that the country’s expertise, infrastructure, and incentives are playing a key role in shaping the future of European cinema.