Hungary

Large numbers of high-profile US and international studio and streamer projects are continuing to flock to Budapest, drawn by the 30% tax rebate, excellent crews, strong studio facilities and wide range of locations. Hungary is reportedly the second biggest international production hub after the UK.

A few of the films and series to have shot here include Walden Media’s The Billion Dollar Spy, directed by Amma Asante and starring Russell Crowe; The Cantillon Company’s war film The Nightin­gale, starring Elle and Dakota Fanning and set in German-occupied France; season two of Legendary Television’s Dune Prophecy; Amazon MGM Studios’ Alone At Dawn; Netflix’s 3 Body Problem from Game Of Thrones creators David Benioff and DB Weiss; and Frederick Forsyth adaptation The Day Of The Jackal for NBCUniversal and Carnival Films, now on its second series.

You are spoilt for choice in Hungary. The variety of landscapes is incredible. In popular Budapest alone you will find everything from dramatic history and flamboyant architecture to healing thermal waters, opera houses and sports stadiums.

All location palettes are on offer in the capital city, from classical to modern, industrial to upscale, hipster to retro, with castles and rural landscapes.  

Hungary’s countryside attractions include Lake Balaton, the largest in Central Europe, where The Last Kingdom was partly shot; Lake Héviz, the second largest thermal lake in the world; and Hortobágy, the largest natural grassland in Europe.

All locations are within a few hours of each other, and thanks to a mild four-season climate, the country can host productions all year round.

According to producer Andreas Hjortdal, the country’s main attraction was the locations, the production finding old-growth forests a 45-minute drive from Budapest. Hedegaard’s advice for international producers coming to Hungary is to find the right local service producer.

While Hungary offers broad historical heritage (there are plenty of castles of different styles – medieval, English, Hungarian, French, etc), Kovács also notes that the industrial buildings, abandoned factories, and brutalist villas from the socialist era are also spectacular as they can stand in for 20th century’s historical films as well as for futuristic sci-fis and action movies.

There are also plenty of historical baths in the country and in Hévíz filmmakers can find the world’s largest thermal lake. 

Crews are experienced, resourceful and speak good English. Studio facilities have expanded in recent years. Locations are plentiful, varied and within easy reach of capital Budapest.

Hungary prides itself on its place at the heart of Europe and is easily accessible. A direct flight from London takes two-and-a-half hours — and from New York it is under nine hours, even if a connection is needed.

Contact :

Csaba Kael, film commissioner for the development of the Hungarian film industry, and chairman, National Film Institute Hungary @ kael.csaba@nfi.nu