EUROCINE Budapest 2026 – The First International Film Industry Exhibition Proves a Professional and Public Success - HUNGEXPO

EUROCINE Budapest 2026 – The First International Film Industry Exhibition Proves a Professional and Public Success

EUROCINE Budapest 2026 – The First International Film Industry Exhibition Proves a Professional and Public Success

Over 150 exhibiting companies and partners took part in the EUROCINE Budapest 2026 international film industry trade exhibition on May 8–9 at the HUNGEXPO Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center. The two-day event, organized in cooperation between the UK-based SCS Concepts and Exhibitions Ltd. and HUNGEXPO, which now also operates its own film business division, brought together representatives from almost every branch of the audiovisual industry. On the first day of the exhibition, the Filmreform2026 proposal package, aimed at renewing the Hungarian film industry, was presented.

Around 4,000 unique attendees the first Eurocine Budapest 2026 trade exhibition — the fifth event in the EUROCINE series — representing sectors from production and post-production to hospitality, including event and filming-location providers. Participants had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the latest equipment developments and to test high-end cameras, lenses, lighting and grip equipment live. At the same time, EUROCINE 2026 served as a pan-European B2B forum showcasing studios, filming locations, production services, hospitality, education, the film labor market and a wide range of specialized suppliers.

Not to Hinder, but to Encourage

“The time for a trade exhibition arrives when the industry itself has outgrown its old frameworks. Today, the Hungarian film industry can speak of an annual performance worth billions of dollars. Budapest has become one of Europe’s most important filming locations — meaning this moment had long been in the air,” said Gábor Ganczer, CEO of HUNGEXPO, at the opening of the event. He added that trade exhibitions truly come alive when they not only build stands, but also generate debates and professional discussions.

Claire Saunders, director of the exhibition’s British partner, SCS Concepts and Exhibitions Ltd., said at the opening that said at the opening: “Our vision is to establish

EUROCINE as an annual meeting point for international screen culture. This year,

we chose Budapest because it has become one of Europe’s leading production

hubs and is now recognised as the second largest production centre in Europe

after London. We are very happy to have received such strong support from the

local audience, with over 50 countries represented at this year’s edition. We are

also very excited to join forces with the Production Guild of Great Britain, sharing

an exclusive FAM programme here in Budapest for their members.”

Participants were also highly interested in hearing the cultural policy representative of the election-winning Tisza party at the opening. Ervin Nagy’s speech was interrupted several times by applause of agreement. The actor-politician spoke primarily about the fact that the new regime change offers a historic opportunity — and places a responsibility on the Hungarian film industry — which must be seized. Politics will provide every possible support in this, he promised.

“We will not hinder them, but encourage them through a fair support system and a constantly developing, predictable film industry environment,” he said. “One of our most urgent tasks will be the immediate stabilization of the indirect support system, the tax rebate,” he added. Ervin Nagy also pledged that in the future one of the key institutions of the Hungarian film industry, the National Film Institute, would be led not by a political appointee but by a professional.

Filmreform2026 – For a Competitive Ecosystem

The Filmreform2026 proposal package called for a more transparent and politically independent film financing system, more predictable operations and a new Film Act. Its authors timed the presentation of the package to coincide with the opening day of EUROCINE Budapest 2026. The aim of the document is to create a Hungarian film ecosystem that is more sustainable in the long term, professionally grounded and internationally competitive.

The proposal package was presented at the event by Julianna Ugrin on behalf of MADOKE – the Hungarian Documentary Association; Dániel Deák from the Association of Hungarian Film Festivals; Ágnes Kocsis from the Hungarian Association of Feature Film Directors; Péter Becz from Klip Egylet – the Association of Hungarian Music Video Makers; and Réka Temple on behalf of MAPSZ – the Association of Hungarian Animation Producers. The speakers presented the document’s most important reform proposals and the shared position of the film industry organizations.

The document emphasizes that the central organization of the Hungarian film industry must operate as a politically independent professional institution, with predictable and transparent use of public funds, a multi-channel financing model and international competitiveness.

Never Before Have So Many Professionals Been in One Place

The dense program of the two-day professional conference accompanying the exhibition focused on the most pressing issues of the present and the technologies of the future. In addition to the future of Hungarian film financing, the workshops and forums were dominated by topics such as Hungarian and Central European production opportunities, taxation and international co-production strategies, green and sustainable filmmaking techniques, the role of female creators in the modern film industry, and artificial intelligence in filmmaking.

Speakers and moderators came from many parts of the world, allowing participants to view the exhibition as a global meeting point between professionals from the region and the international film industry.

Participants of EUROCINE Budapest 2026 not only had the chance to meet companies and representatives from various areas of the sector, but also gained insight into current industry issues, joined professional discussions, and built valuable business and professional connections.

Another common view among attendees was that EUROCINE is a truly valuable initiative, particularly because Hungary has never before hosted an event where so many film professionals from such diverse fields came together in one place.

The Filmmakers of the Future at HUNGEXPO

EUROCINE Budapest 2026 was not only a space for those who have been active in the industry for years: it also offered emerging filmmakers, students and early-career professionals the opportunity to learn about career paths and meet key figures in the profession.

The organizers of the exhibition placed strong emphasis on education and nurturing the next generation. Future talents took part in roundtable discussions on various topics, and this knowledge base will remain available after the exhibition on the EUROCINE Academy online platform.