In 2019, the organisers of the festival have announced a new initiative to help emerging filmmakers to take a step further ahead: the Budapest Debut Film Forum, which offers a platform to film directors and producers preparing their first feature to network and to exchange thoughts with their colleagues from all over the Central-Eastern European region, and to receive professional guidance from the mentors of the programme. 

In 2020, BDFF will be back with its second edition to seek out promising first feature film projects that are in development stage but already have a producer and/or director on board. The forum will be held between the 24th and 26th of March 2020, in Budapest, Hungary within the framework of the Friss Hús Budapest International Short Film festival.

The extended submission deadline for the projects is 20 January 2020.

The Budapest Debut Film Forum accepts submissions from all European countries, with its main focus on the Visegrad countries.

The BDFF offers:

• Workshops and panel talks
• Professional feedback
• Networking opportunities with the representatives of the Visegrad region’s experts and film fund representatives

Eight projects (4 of them selected from the V4 countries) will be selected to take part in the Budapest Debut Film Forum.The selected participants will get the chance to present their projects and participate in group sessions, panel talks and masterclasses held by internationally recognised industry professionals, e.g. script doctors, producers, distributors, and financing and marketing experts, as well as representatives of the region’s respective film funds. The aim is to provide valuable professional feedback and networking opportunities that foster international co-production opportunities for first features in the region.

At the end of the three-day series of events, the tutors will choose the project they find “the most promising film idea”. This project will receive a development award of 1000 EUR. In addition, BDFF launches the Visegrad co-production award: one selected project will receive an award for translating and subtitling the film to the V4 languages.

In order to apply, please click here.

The selected participants will also get the chance to take part in the vibrant life of Friss Hús Budapest International Shortfilm Festival and attend the screenings, professional events and parties hosted by Hungary’s number one shortfilm festival.