CHINA Edition
Hungarian Edition
After the closure of the iconic Titanic International Film Festival, Budapest’s film community can finally rejoice with the arrival of a brand-new, large-scale film festival. The Budapest International Film Festival (BIFF) is stepping into the spotlight, aiming to become a staple of the city’s cultural calendar.
Led by festival director Kristóf Horváth and creative director Bálint Szimler, BIFF is not just a tribute to the legacy of Titanic but a bold, fresh take on celebrating cinema. “We want to carry forward the spirit of the Titanic Film Festival, but with a new and daring approach,” said Horváth. “Our goal is to make Budapest come alive with diverse professional programs, off-site events, and parties. Even if you don’t go to the movies often, set aside this week to immerse yourself in films and shared experiences.”
An Exciting Lineup of Films and Programs
The first five films announced for this year’s BIFF promise a diverse selection of powerful storytelling:
- Opening Film: Germany’s 2025 Oscar submission, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, will kick off the festival. This social drama by exiled Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof explores the tense and dangerous clash between state and individual in an oppressive society.
- Competition Highlight: “I Saw The TV Glow”, one of A24’s standout releases of the year, is a vibrant, neon-colored queer coming-of-age story co-presented by Telex Filmklub.
- Experimental Section: Argentine filmmaker Eduardo Williams’ “The Human Surge 3” defies traditional narrative structures, continuing a non-existent franchise in a unique and thought-provoking manner.
- Closing Film: “Kneecap”, a biographical drama about the rise of a Belfast hip-hop trio, will close the festival. The film stars the band playing themselves alongside Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender, blending music, rebellion, and the fight for linguistic autonomy.
Retrospective: A Century of Cinematic Evolution
BIFF’s retrospective series celebrates the 100th anniversary of Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Jr.”, exploring the evolution of the detective character in cinema. The series will screen four films that span from classic to contemporary, illustrating the constant transformation of film language and narrative forms.
A Curated Cinematic Playlist
BIFF aims to deliver the year’s most thrilling cinematic playlist, blending award-winning films by renowned directors with fresh voices and experimental works. “Every film screened at BIFF, except for the retrospective, will be a Hungarian premiere, making this a unique opportunity to see some of these films for the first—and perhaps only—time in the country,” noted program directors Dániel Rév and Péter Donáth.
Festival Details
The first edition of BIFF will run from October 29 to November 3 at the Corvin Cinema, showcasing 20 international films over six days. The full program will be announced in late September, with ticket sales starting shortly after. For more information, visit biff.hu or follow BIFF on Facebook and Instagram.
