10 Reasons to Shoot in Hungary

1. Cost-efficient shoots for large scale productions

Filming in Hungary is more financially advantageous than in most economically developed regions of the world. This competitive edge is a key strength of the Hungarian film industry, which works hard to maintain its cost-efficiency. Productions requiring larger technical crews, art departments, or many background actors particularly benefit from this advantage. For this reason, Hungary frequently hosts big-budget productions seeking to manage their costs effectively.

2. The Diversity of Shooting Locations

Architecturally, Budapest is arguably one of the most diverse capital cities in the world. Different styles and historical periods converge here in a remarkably dense, relatively small area. For filmmakers, walking through Budapest’s city center can feel like exploring a vast, open-air studio. Beyond the capital, countryside cities provide a wide range of urban settings, while Hungary’s natural landscapes—rolling hills, dense forests, and expansive bodies of water—offer ideal backdrops for a variety of scenes.

3. Film-friendly Environment When Shooting on Public Properties

Hungarian authorities maintain a positive attitude toward film productions, aiming to minimize administrative delays and workloads. In Budapest, filmmakers can achieve things that might take significantly longer and cost much more in other major cities worldwide—for instance, closing down a central road or bridge or executing a scene with explosions.

There have been instances in the Hungarian film industry where local production companies, working under tight deadlines, failed to organize backup plans and began shutting down streets without proper permissions, resulting in serious consequences. At Progressive Productions, our in-house location department ensures all permits are handled with precision and the shortest possible deadlines, avoiding such issues entirely. In the past 15 years, there has not been a single instance where a location offered by us became unavailable or where we failed to secure a permit. This department also ensures swift and direct communication with locations, preventing surprises later in the process.

4. The Work Morals and Professional Experience of the Crewmembers

Hungarian film crews are traditionally known for their excellent work ethic and reputation for hard work. Whether it’s lighting technicians, special effects teams, or production assistants, they consistently go above and beyond to not only meet expectations but exceed them. Most crew members speak English at least at an intermediate level, and their extensive experience stems from the significant number of international productions and domestic feature films shot in Hungary. This provides professionals, such as focus pullers, with nearly year-round opportunities to practice their craft.

However, a potential downside is that these same focus pullers, for example, may find it challenging to advance to roles like cameraman, as they might in larger countries. The constant flow of international projects keeps them busy and reduces the need to pursue new career paths or experimental tasks. While this may sometimes limit their motivation for career growth, many individuals still serve as inspiring counterexamples, demonstrating dedication and innovation in their work.

5. There Are No Trade Unions

The absence of trade unions is often cited as one reason why filming in Hungary is so cost-effective. This has both positive and negative implications. Unlike in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia, Hungary does not have formalized unions. Instead, Hungarian filmmakers have developed a tightly-knit community that sets informal guidelines for wages and working hours. These unwritten rules are widely understood and respected, with producers typically adhering to them. Standard working hours are universally accepted as 12 hours, including a mandatory lunch break, and overtime wages are negotiated within departments. Crew members who agree to lower-than-standard wages often risk being excluded from the community.

The lack of formal unions reduces administrative burdens for productions and fosters a friendlier, more flexible working environment. This allows for some degree of negotiation with crew members, although Budapest is far from being a “haggling” city. Exceptions arise when producers opt to work with less experienced or beginner crews, where better financial deals may be negotiated. However, as a consequence of this informal system, the Hungarian film industry has become quite insular, offering limited opportunities for trainees or newcomers to learn directly from more experienced professionals.

6. The Number of Available Crews

Despite Hungary’s small size, it boasts a surprisingly large pool of professional film crews, enabling multiple productions—whether feature films, short films, or commercials—to take place simultaneously. With some research, it is always possible to find the right professionals for any project. Local experts are available across nearly all areas of filmmaking, including stunt work, animal handling, set construction, and special effects, ensuring a comprehensive and skilled workforce within the country.

7. Talent Casting

One of the key advantages of shooting in Hungary is the wide range of opportunities Hungarian casting can offer. Despite the country’s small size, there is an abundance of performers and everyday people eager to take part in productions. Within just a few hours, hundreds of extras can be mobilized for filming. While there are some limitations—for example, a smaller pool of ethnically diverse talent—Hungary is generally ideal for casting, with most processes managed by specialized agencies. Once a talent is selected, contracts and payments are typically handled directly through the casting agency.

In our experience, talent contracts are one of the most sensitive aspects of the casting process, requiring close attention to regulatory details. While we haven’t encountered any rights-related disputes, it is a fact that contracts provided by casting agencies often fall short of international standards in several respects. At Progressive Productions, we have invested significant effort into ensuring that our contracts are transparent, compliant with international laws, and fair to all parties. Our in-house talent casting department has consistently delivered high-quality casting services, finding ideal talents and ensuring mutually satisfactory agreements.

8. Hungarian Directors of Photography

Hungary’s exceptional pool of talented Directors of Photography is another compelling reason to film in the country. Hungarian DOP training ranks among the best in the world, and the wealth of domestic and international projects shot here ensures they gain extensive experience. Whether working on a large-scale production or a more intimate set, and regardless of whether the visual language is traditional or experimental, Hungarian DOPs consistently prove to be skilled, energetic, and collaborative partners for directors. It’s no surprise that many international directors who have worked with Hungarian DOPs often invite them to collaborate on future projects in other countries.

9. The Wide Range of Production Companies

Although it might seem we are speaking against our own interests, it’s important to note that Hungary offers a wide selection of production companies, many of which deliver high-quality services. However, these companies can vary significantly in their operational models. Some follow a boutique approach, where the owner—typically the producer—is the sole full-time employee, assembling each production from resources available on the freelance market. Others aim to exceed what the freelance market can provide by employing in-house teams to deliver enhanced services. There are also companies specializing in specific countries, leveraging their linguistic and cultural expertise to focus on particular markets. At Progressive Productions, we pride ourselves on offering extensive in-house services and building relationships with clients from all over the world.

10. Soundstages with State of the Art Technical Equipment

Budapest is home to several large soundstage complexes, featuring some of the biggest stages in Europe. These facilities offer additional service spaces, such as offices, conveniently located within the complexes. However, access to camera and lighting equipment housed onsite can sometimes be limited or unavailable. It is worth noting that, despite being referred to as "studios," these facilities differ from American studios in their purpose—they are primarily built for rental, not for in-house production. In Hungarian, the term stúdió is synonymous with stage, reflecting this distinction. Soundstages are typically rented through local production companies, which bring valuable expertise in providing a full range of production services.