Hungary's film industry is quickly becoming one of Europe's top production hubs. With a newly signed film cooperation agreement with China, Hungary is positioning itself to shape the future of global cinema.
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00:00On the outskirts of Budapest, the NFI studio complex is shaping up to be Hungary's largest film facility.
00:09In this 22 hectare site, we began our major studio development three years ago.
00:16Today, we are here in one of our proudest achievements, our new 5,000 square meter studio complex.
00:23As you can see, it can be divided into two separate studios using a mobile wall, making it a versatile space.
00:31More than 300 productions are filmed in Hungary every year, bringing in $910 million in 2023, a fourfold increase in just five years.
00:42The expansion here at FUT Studios is Hungary's biggest project.
00:47It's set to boost production capacity by 22% to meet the growing demand of international filmmakers.
00:55For Oettinger, this project is a game changer for Hungary, creating a world-class environment that she hopes will attract more international filmmakers, including from China.
01:06Last May, Hungary's National Film Institute signed a landmark agreement with China's National Radio and Television Administration, paving the way for co-productions and cultural exchange.
01:19Chinese productions have not been filmed here because there was no situation between the two countries that would have made it possible.
01:26But now, as a result of this new cooperation, I believe that will change.
01:32We can expect Chinese productions to begin filming in Hungary, particularly in this studio where we're currently located.
01:39For film producers and creators, this new cooperation could bring in new opportunities.
01:45We as animation production companies are very keen to produce our own films, but we are also very open for any service work.
01:54And we're working already with companies around the world.
02:00I think with this digital era, we are lucky enough to be able to work with artists from Europe, Asia, US, wherever.
02:11It might be easier to produce everything in-house, but it's much, much more interesting to see the perspective of others.
02:20Temple produced the animated feature film Four Souls of Coyote, which won the Golden Goblet at the 25th Shanghai Film Festival.
02:28She's currently working to introduce Chinese audiences to the story of Lengeszemek, fictional green creatures who live in Hungary's largest lake.
02:38It feels so great that it travels really well from Lake Balaton to Beijing, and the audience understand it because we're speaking about core values.
02:50As Hungary continues to expand its film infrastructure, Temple says it will be the stories filmmakers will tell.
02:57It will transcend borders and bring people together.
03:01Pablo Gutiérrez, CGTN, Fot Hungary.