What will come of the combined legacy?

Mokép and Pannónia Together

From Macskássy to fragmentation

Hungary’s first animation studio was created within the Hungarian Dubbing Film Production Company, and Gyula Macskássy played an outstanding role in it. In 1957 the situation was ripe for animators to start working on their own under the Pannónia Film Studio banner. In 1994, after the end of Communism, the venerable but declining company became known as Pannóniafilm Ltd. The company’s gradual demise was followed by several articles in the press.

CEO of Mokép Pannónia Film Production and Distribution Ltd Jenő Rácskay, rather than reviewing controversial privatisation and legal issues of the last few years, outlined to us about the opportunities there are for the renewed company.

The actual merger of Mokép and Pannónia is not finished yet, but the Hungarian State Holder Company (MNV Zrt.) has consented to the merger of the two companies that both have similar profiles and a great history behind them. The merger is now at the Registry Court awaiting approval and registration, which should be completed in a matter of weeks or months.

Inventory and plans

Jenő Rácskay took over at the helm of Pannónia last November, overseeing the reorganisation of the one-time state animation company, and he is now the leader of MPFF in registration. The two companies are different sizes, while Mokép is a medium sized company, Pannónia can be classed as small. All equipment left over from the smaller company have been moved to Mokép’s premises in Kőbánya, Budapest.

Pannónia hit from the past Cat city

The CEO believes that the boost for the company created with the merger of Mokép and Pannónia can be founded on the history and enduring kudos of the two former state owned studios on the one hand, and the synergies between the two firms on the other. Following the inventory and assessment of the film stock and equipment MPFF would like to gain strong positions as a film distributor and production company for the future.

Creating a brand from a legacy
Mokép is a leader in the market for Hungarian films on DVD as they release around a million copies a year, having released 220-230 titles so far. The first step for MPFF in DVD distribution is the market release of a series with eight titles, designed to be the new company’s brand-making release. If sales go according to plan then more discs will be released. The first DVD is expected to be out in July. They might not be able to regain their former monopoly, but with the new brand they are aiming to establish themselves as a major player.

Mokép’s motion picture distribution activities might shy in comparison, but they are in no way insignificant. They release between 7 and 10 entertaining, quality titles, and a future goal is for MPFF to be involved in nature documentaries. Depending on the kind of deals MPFF is able strike with Hollywood studios at their ongoing negotiations, there might even be a change for the better for Mokép Pannónia’s in motion picture distribution, the CEO hopes.

Continuing with Pannónia’s success and lease work

Besides distribution of motion pictures and DVDs the company is aiming to play a significant role as a production unit, too, participating mainly through Pannónia’s animation capacities. One option can be sequels to old Pannónia cult classics, although Jenő Rácskay is a bit cautious with that, considering the production costs and box office numbers for “A kis Vuk.”

Another option is lease work with Pannónia’s remaining capacities, in foreign, mainly American productions. Talks have been going on with major overseas studios and producers from Pannónia’s circle of contacts to realise this goal, but the CEO did not reveal any concrete information on that. As far as international distribution is concerned, Mokép’s contacts might prove important assets.

Potential cooperation with overseas studios and producing their own animations will necessitate good character designs and well-written scripts, but MPFF will definitely not operate a workshop for these.
Looking into the future the company is trying to gain a foothold in the field of VoD, and has started developing its own film download system, similar to Filmklikk, expected to serve Internet viewers within six months. There is a new website under development, with a clearly understandable layout and user friendly interface in mind.

Balázs Dénes