National Film Institute
As the central organization of the sector, the National Film Institute (NFI) focuses on the entire film, television, and moving image industry of Hungary. The main goal of its diverse activities is the comprehensive development of the sector and ensuring its long-term competitiveness in the region.
The fund is a public institution governed by Hungarian law and its activities are regulated according to the Motion Picture Act (II) of 2004. The fund's main purpose is to support the production and distribution of Hungarian films and co-productions that provide art and entertainment for moviegoers and achieving significant success both domestically and internationally. It also focuses on the development of the national film industry and represents Hungary at international film forums. The National Film Institute Hungary is operating since 2020.
The National Film Institute’s vision: As a key institution in the motion picture sector, the NFI promotes the development of the film industry in Hungary and the creation of audiovisual works with outstanding cultural values.
The mission of the NFI is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Hungarian motion picture industry and motion pictures both at home and abroad.
Based on the above, the roles and responsibilities of the NFI cover the following fields.
- Development, distribution, and marketing support of domestic cinematographic works (cinema, TV, and streaming content) in a unified system; including financial and professional support;
- Restoration of the Hungarian film heritage and its preservation, distribution, and promotion through the NFI Film Archive;
- Support for the training, education, and career orientation for young professionals in the industry;
- International sales and festival representation of Hungarian films;
- International promotion of Hungary as a filming location;
- Provision of film production services; operation of a soundstage complex (NFI Studios) and a post-production facility (NFI Filmlab) as well as a the “Location Office";
- Operation of FILMIO, the first streaming platform offering Hungarian films, both restored classics and current works, online.
Nemzeti Filmintézet (NFI)
- Róna u. 174, 1145 Budapest
- email hidden; JavaScript is required
- +36 1 461 13 20
- https://nfi.hu/en
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person
Number of inhabitants
9,676,135 (2024)
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euro
Budget in 2023
30M€
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local_movies
Number of projects supported in 2023
60
EFAD related activities
Film Education - EFAD Members' Initiatives
Core Films and Klassz educational and youth programme – Classics in the Classroom
Since 2018, the NFI Film Archive has been building their website named Alapfilmek (Core Films), to demonstrate important works of Hungary’s cinematic history in a comprehensive, yet richly detailed manner. The website introduces different genres, eras and the oeuvre of film artists, and provides an opportunity to showcase the treasures within the Archive’s collections in connection to films. Fan favourites and unfairly forgotten masterpieces equally make their appearance, from every genre and type of film. The gradually expanding film history website currently offers intriguing and diverse content about 502 cinematic pieces among them 206 available in English as well.
The NFI Film Archive’s educational programme for young audiences (age 3–18) is Klassz programme is based on the ‘Core Films’ (Alapfilmek.hu) project, the NFI Film Archive’s website on the history of film. The programme offers educational materials and online games developed in co-operation with pedagogues (literature, visual arts, history etc.), NFI Film Archive organizes screenings, workshops, events at cultural festivals, competitions, lectures and camps for young audiences and workshops, conferences for educators.
To ensure the continued success and competitiveness of the Hungarian industry NFI is running a complex Training program. The main goal is to alleviate the shortage of skilled professionals. NFI is supporting training courses and organizing the Fast Forward Program, an innovative series of practice-oriented workshops and open lectures offered for free to help junior industry professionals and students keep up with demand. Beyond traditional film school curricula and internship opportunities there is a growing need for specialised knowledge to help film professionals develop new skills. NFI launched recently an initiative to help the youth in career orientation with workshops, camps and lectures.
NFI has been funding the Great Hungarian Film Test for Students, a unique program that promotes Hungarian films, as well as the film industry as a whole. The on-line and in-person contest format - developed by the Association of Students and Youth Journalists - conveys the message to young people aged 14-20 in an innovative and creative way on their favorite and most used devices (smartphones, laptops) and platforms (social media). The Great Hungarian Film Test for Students is based on a 3-round competition series format. The first round is an online test based on which contestants can gain entry to the semi-final and final competition taking place at a cultural venue in Budapest.
The 6th edition of the Great Hungarian Film Test in 2023 reached more than 23,000 contestants throughout Hungary.
Sustainability - EFAD Members’ Initiatives
The NFI published a brief online guide with green recommendations for those film professionals who want to be more environmentally conscious in their film production. This was the first step towards a more sustainable Hungarian film industry. Further on NFI initiated a green film production working group consisting of leading local professionals. The green incentive support scheme will be available for domestic productions by the end of 2024.
Useful links
Related projects
