Hungary: The Hidden Star of Oscar Contenders and Film Production
“The Brutalist” used Hungary as various locations around the Philadelphia area. - Photo COURTESY of of Venice Film FESTIVAL
Hungary has quietly emerged as a favorite destination for filmmakers, doubling for diverse locations such as Philadelphia, Paris, and even alien landscapes in recent Oscar contenders. From the historical mid-century streets of Budapest to its cutting-edge film studios, the country is showcasing its remarkable versatility and cinematic value.
Brady Corbet's Oscar contender, The Brutalist, exemplifies this adaptability. The film tells the story of László Toth, a fictional Hungarian-born Jewish architect who journeys from Budapest to America after World War II. Remarkably, much of the film, including scenes set in 1950s suburban Philadelphia, was shot in Hungary. Viktória Petrányi, co-producer of The Brutalist, acknowledges the challenges of recreating the feel of mid-century America, saying that the production design team and Hungarian crew were “extremely intelligent about choosing locations” and managing to evoke the atmosphere of 1950s U.S. with small pieces of Hungarian reality.
Warner Bros/ Discovery
This awards season, Hungary is enjoying significant visibility, with Oscar hopefuls like Pablo Larraín’s Maria and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two also filming major segments in the country. The availability of abundant soundstages, talented crew members, and a competitive 30% tax incentive have made Hungary a go-to destination for productions seeking high-quality results on a budget. In fact, Dune: Part Two utilized Budapest’s soundstages extensively while shooting its desert scenes in Jordan and the UAE. The production even benefitted from a 37.5% rebate on non-Hungarian costs like equipment and crew sent to the Middle East, thanks to an extra provision in the incentive scheme.
Hungary’s film industry has not only thrived despite global challenges but continues to grow. Despite economic difficulties, strikes, and restructuring in the industry worldwide, Hungary has kept up its production pace. Adam Goodman of Budapest-based Mid Atlantic Films, which recently worked on Sky's limited series Amadeus and the Ryan Reynolds-led action movie Mayday, observed, “2024 was as busy as any year we’ve been in business. I don’t think it’s going to be much different in 2025.” The Hungarian government shares this optimism, extending the film incentive program for another six years to further build on its past successes. In 2023 alone, direct production spending in Hungary reached $910 million—an impressive fourfold increase in the past five years.
In addition to tax incentives, Hungary's investments in expanding NFI Studios and upgrading post-production facilities at NFI Filmlab have further strengthened its film industry infrastructure. NFI Filmlab, now one of the few post-production facilities in Central Europe offering full analog services, has processed the film stock for notable productions like The Brutalist, Maria, and Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things. These investments, paired with a skilled local workforce, have helped Hungary stay ahead of the competition in Europe.
Hungary's deep cinematic tradition, coupled with modern upgrades, is why it remains a reliable and attractive filming location. Ildikó Kemény of Pioneer Stillking Films, who recently wrapped production on László Nemes' Orphan, credits the reliability of the Hungarian tax rebate program for continued industry success. While inflation has affected Hungary’s economy, the cost-effectiveness compared to countries like the U.K., Germany, or the U.S., combined with the rebate program, still makes it an appealing destination for filmmakers. According to Petrányi, the value for money remains “really high” due to the availability of skilled local artisans.
Hungary boasts one of Europe’s oldest moviemaking traditions, and that experience shows through on-screen. “This is our strength—that we are filmmakers and not only service providers,” says Petrányi. “We can really figure things out together.” Hungary's contribution to recent Oscar contenders demonstrates its ability to seamlessly blend history, craft, and cutting-edge production, making it a true star of global cinema.
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