Hungary’s 30% tax incentive for film and TV, which has helped attract recent Hollywood shoots like “Dune: Part Two,” “Maria” and “The Brutalist” to the country, has been extended by six years.
Hungary, continental Europe’s biggest production hub, has attracted direct annual production spend totalling $910 million, a fourfold increase in the last five years.
The extension of the tax incentive was revealed on Monday in Los Angeles by government commissioner for the development of the Hungarian film industry, Csaba Kael, who was in the city to reveal the winners of Hungarian Film Institute’s inaugural awards for Best International Production Filmed in Hungary.
Originally launched in 2004, the Hungarian film support scheme has contributed to such Hollywood films as “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “A Good Day to Die Hard,” “The Martian” and “Terminator: Dark Fate.” Other international productions to have filmed in Hungary include “Poor Things,” Ridley Scott’s “Alien: Romulus,” “Dune: Prophecy,” “The Day of the Jackal,” “FBI: International” and “NCIS.”
“2024 marks a significant milestone, the 20th anniversary of the Hungarian film support scheme that has not only transformed our film industry but has also elevated Hungary’s global presence and recognition,” Kael said. “Over the past few years films made in Hungary have consistently been nominated for and honored with the most prestigious awards, including the Oscars and the BAFTAs. ‘Dune,’ ‘Poor Things,’ ‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Maria’ were all crafted at Hungarian locations, with Hungarian pros and talents.”
The Hungarian film support scheme was set to expire at the end of this year. Its prolongation for another six years has been approved by the European Commission, with a budget totalling almost $3 billion.
On Monday, Kael revealed at Melrose Rooftop Theater in Beverly Hills that the Hungarian Film Institute’s inaugural Best International Production Filmed in Hungary Award had been bestowed on “Poor Things.”
The newly established award is designed to recognize an outstanding work produced in Hungary with the involvement of Hungarian professionals, and to have been released in U.S. theaters or on television channels or streaming platforms within 18 months prior to the event.
“It’s incredible that approximately 100 international motion pictures are made with us each year – from the biggest Hollywood studios’ breathtaking feature films and miniseries to indies, intimate dramas and innovative commercials. We’re thrilled to continue working with international partners and tell our common stories on all screens. This extension allows us to build on our success and deepen our commitment to take the Hungarian moving picture industry to a whole new level,” Kael said.
The first Made in Hungary festival showcased seven outstanding Hungarian films for audiences in Los Angeles, with the festival awards presented on Sunday. Franciska Törőcsik won best actress in a leading role for “Cat Call” (Cicaverzum); László Szacsvay won best actor for a leading role for “Some Birds” (Valami madarak); and “White Plastic Sky” (Műanyag égbolt), directed by Tibor Bánóczki and Sarolta Szabó, won best picture.
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