Eszter Lányi, Head of Training and Innovation at the Hungarian National Film Fund Photo: János Posztós

It’s no mystery as to why Hungary has an incredible history in film and an even brighter future—on both sides of the camera. But, let’s be honest, those who know the history of filmmaking and Hollywood know that the real stars have been the studio heads, directors, and numerous talent working behind the scenes to make “movie magic.” And here on the ground in Hungary, the industry engines are in full force, readying the next generation of filmmakers to take the world by storm. And when we say “by storm,” as we are talking about a country of 10 million garnering two Academy Awards in the past three years alone.

Eszter Lányi is head of training and innovation of the Hungarian National Film Fund, a division only established as of a couple years ago but growing rapidly. A year ago, HNFF CEO Agnes Havas asked me to get in touch with Lányi to learn more about their initiatives. I now understand her enthusiasm. Lányi is as grounded as she is excited about Hungary’s role in movies today. And she immediately delves into the business at hand.
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HNFF has many different programs for those looking to intensify their trajectory into the world of film. The first option is for film students—as well as those junior filmmakers who have already ventured into the biz—to sign up for some key masterclasses and workshops. This Fast Forward Program consists of a series of lectures and workshops that have been curated by Lányi and her team. Upcoming speakers include filmmaker John McTiernan (Die Hard, Hunt for Red October) and film/TV music supervisor Thomas Golubić (Breaking Bad, Six Feet Under). Here you can browse through the entire program: https://issuu.com/fastforwardprogram/docs/mnf_ffp_18-19 (the brochure is in Hungarian but the events are in English).

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Given the international scope of these speakers and teachers, some 95% of all courses are conducted in English. And this means understanding the nuances, colloquialisms, mannerisms, and attitudes of what is still a very Western (call it American) industry. Of course this last is due in large part to the fact that Hungary has become akin to a second home to numerous international productions, with Hollywood taking increasing advantage of what has come to be seen as a 5-star service industry.
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HNFF is obviously thrilled that Hungarian talent is appreciated. And applicants are clamoring to get into its programs. Although Lányi admits anyone can pretty much attend a lecture, those attending the workshops are carefully chosen by way of sample work submitted. The Fast Forward Program is only a year old, but last year it had close to 1,000 participants.  

HNFF is also involved with providing opportunities to newbies looking to get into filmmaking and offer courses based on what producers today say they need most. These year-long courses are in fact provided by local schools in Budapest and co-funded by HNFF. They first started in 2016, and this September 2018 applicants will be able train to become CGI experts, camera assistants, location managers, digital imaging technicians, and set decorators. The schools must also provide English courses to help those who have not yet fully mastered the language. “This is a business that is done in English; we cater to that world,” says Lányi. “English is a must.”

"This is a small village here; really it is."

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​These training programs are in response to a certain stigma surrounding the business here in Hungary. Filmmaking has long been considered a niche sector, impossible to get into without having a family member or neighbor or close friend already in the biz. Lányi seeks to combat this issue and proudly informs me that per their surveys from last year, some 50% of the students had no prior connection to the film industry. “This is a small village here; really it is,” Lányi had previously told me. But it’s a village she clearly hopes to increase access to, both to benefit those looking to get into the industry as well as those filmmakers in need of a wider scope of talent.
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The most impressive aspect of this program is its accompanying website, which orientates interested parties with the movie industry and offers descriptions of the various jobs presently in demand. But, most importantly, it also connects producers to those students who have exited the program (or other film training programs) and have the skills they are looking for: an incredible asset for all parties involved. After a final stint of three 5-week internship programs on one or various productions, these “graduates” are considered newly minted film professionals ready for any challenge.

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Simon Perry: European Co-production Workshop at Hungarian Film Fund Photo: János Posztós

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There is also HNFF’s Incubator Program, which helps along actual productions by those with little to no experience in feature-length films. Lányi emphasizes that she has promoted this as more of a process than a competition, with 10 initial picks receiving professional training sessions. Only a final selection of five lucky directors receive funding and guidance through to post-production and distribution. However, the four-year-old program will now commemorate its success with an evening of Incubator Salons for all 15 of the past initial “winner teams.” Lányi seeks to use these quarterly salons to promote a community of local filmmakers she hopes will stay in touch, collaborate, and grow together over the years.

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"The key to the long-term success of Hungarian film is the continuous development of creativity and knowledge. Together everything is easier!"

It is interesting to note that Lanyi stops to emphasize, twice, the surveys used for both Fast Forward and the skills-training courses These serve to obtain critical feedback on how HNFF can improve the programs going forward. “I have a small team,” she tells me, “We’re just three people, but we want to get this right.”

Training and Innovation Department: Eszter Lányi, Tímea Gyulavári, Emese Erdős, Andrea Hódi, Ildikó Elek Photo: Gábor Valuska

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It’s incredible to think just one woman and two other team members are behind these programs. But one coffee with Lanyi would have you convinced. In a closing statement she emphasizes, "The key to the long-term success of Hungarian film is the continuous development of creativity and knowledge. Together everything is easier!" Lányi leaves me to head back across the street to her offices on Rona utca—a location that is soon to be heavily expanded due to HNFF’s (and her) growing success.
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For further information on all HNFF programs, you can visit http://filmesgyakornok.hu/ and http://mnf.hu/hu/kepzes/ or email filmalap@filmalap.hu for a full list of upcoming Fast Forward Program courses or other information.

Read more on Hungary's people, culture, food, art, and ideas here.