BIDF 2026: Stars of the documentary film world meet in Budapest

Between January 24 and February 1, approximately 40 acclaimed foreign creators will arrive in Hungary to take part in the Budapest International Documentary Film Festival (BIDF). The organizers have also announced the renowned jury of this year’s festival.

Directors and producers arrive from all over the world

The directors and producers of the films are travelling to BIDF not only from various European countries, but also from South Korea, the United States, Canada, and India. After the screenings, the creators will take part in audience meetings.

Among others, Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, the co-director and main protagonist of the film Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which was recently shortlisted for the Academy Award, is arriving in Hungary. The man worked as a program organizer and videographer at a remote Russian school when, along with the war in Ukraine, Russian patriotic propaganda also arrived at the school. For years, Pasha documented the events of everyday life, but in 2024 he decided to flee abroad — in this he was assisted by the film’s director, David Borenstein. In addition to the brave school videographer, the audience will be able to personally meet numerous creators who have won top prizes at the Oscars, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Toronto IFF, and IDFA.

Hungarians have also been included in the jury

The organizers have also announced the festival jury. In addition to Hungarian and foreign film professionals and journalists, renowned artists and public figures have also joined the committee, such as Csaba Kovács (rector of MOME), Pál Mácsai (actor, director), János Másik (composer, singer), Ferenc Molnár “Caramel” (singer), Tamás Pajor (songwriter, content creator), and Edina Pottyondy (humorist, writer, YouTuber, performer).

“The film of your future is already rolling” — this is this year’s slogan

At BIDF, 60 films and 250 screenings await viewers. In addition to the capital, programs will also take place at several provincial locations (Békéscsaba, Debrecen, Eger, Győr, Jászberény, Kecskemét, Pécs, Szeged, Szombathely, Veszprém). The films are organized around the idea that the future of your family, the future of the world, knowledge, truth, or even the future of your relationships is in your hands — and their protagonists want to be active participants in their own future.

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