Puskás Hungary
2009
Praise, International Recognition, Losers
The Reception of the Film Law
While in Hungary, the next steps of the reform process have already provoked a heated debate, the Film Law made it to the headlines abroad as well. Screen International, one of the largest film industry magazines, devoted two pages and its front page to the Hungarian film law. The article „All Eyes on Hungary” offers a detailed overview of the tax incentives that entered into force on April 1 and of their potential results. According to the magazine, the Czechs have started to worry about losing their leading position in the region.
After the Budapest Film Week, the Film Union and the Culture Ministry promoted the Film Law at the Berlin and Cannes festivals as well, with special emphasis on the system of tax and investment incentives legislators hope will attract subcontract and coproduction projects as well as private investment. According to the international film industry press, none of Hungary’s competitors have a similar system in place. About 60 top professionals from Hollywood studios and production companies – including production directors and tax and legal experts – attended the presentation at the Los Angeles Location Expo in April, including representatives of Paramount, Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, MGM, Miramax, Disney and Warner. Wire service Reuters and The Hollywood Reporter – and several internet movie portals – have published articles about the Hungarian film industry.
As a direct result of the incentives, investors announced already in February that Hungary’s largest film studio, Stern Film Studio and Media Center will be built in Pomáz to provide a state-of-the art location for the Hungarian and international film industry. At the Cannes festival, Culture Minister István Hiller announced that producer Andrew G. Vajna and developer Sándor Demján will build a film studio with the world’s largest sound stage in Etyek.
The country’s EU entry has also opened the opportunity for Hungarians to participate in the Media Program. The Media Desk, which assists Hungarian applicants, has been operating since May 1. Through Media Plus, applicants may obtain support for preproduction, promotion, distribution, while training institutions may apply for support for management, scriptwriting and marketing activites.
