The biggest Hungarian film successes in 2016

From winning the biggest awards in the film industry to achieving great successes at many European film festivals and being mentioned among the best in the world, 2016 has been an incredible and in many ways unprecedented year for Hungarian films. As the year is drawing to a close, let’s take a look at some of the most defining moments that made Hungarian film history in 2016.

Undoubtedly, the most exciting piece of film news from the past 12 months has been the success of Son of Saul. The alternative Holocaust drama directed by László Nemes started off the year on a high note, winning the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, followed by the Independent Spirit Award for Best International Film, and crowning the achievements by becoming the second film in Hungarian film history to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film was praised by the international press, chosen as one of the best films of the 21^st century by the BBC and the 2^nd best film of the year by the Guardian.

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the biggest film event in Central Europe also brought Hungarian successes. The family drama It’s not the Time of My Life won the main prize, the Crystal Globe, and the director Szabolcs Hajdu, who also starred in the film, won the Best Actor Award. The film also took the top prize at the Bosphorus Film Festival in Istambul.

Another film, Attila Till’s Kills on Wheels premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival’s East of the West selection. The film was well-received internationally and it has been chosen as Hungary’s entry to the 89^th Academy Awards.