The Hungarian government is financing the largest movie studio expansion to date in Fót, just north of Budapest, with the planned upgrades are already halfway completed, said Csaba Káel, government commissioner for the movie industry, on Wednesday.
Due to a series of factors — an abundance of highly qualified professionals, good logistics, picturesque shooting locations in and around Hungary — international productions are increasingly choosing Hungary as their preferred location.
Recent productions shot in Hungary include titles such as “The King,” “The Witcher,” “The Last Kingdom,” and “FBI International,” while A-list stars who filmed recently in Hungary include Emma Stone, Mel Gibson, Hugh Laurie, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Kate Winslet, and Jude Law.
The government-financed expansion will increase studio space fivefold to 12,582 square meters from the current 2,692 square, which will include the construction of four studios and adjacent buildings, such as screening rooms, offices, cafeterias, and warehouses.
“As a major economic factor, the Hungarian film industry employs nearly 20,000 professionals and brings significant benefits to the country, mainly in the form of foreign exchange earnings,” Káel said in the statement. He added that according to provisional data, production revenues will increase this year by 20 percent.
The statement also points out that after London, Hungarian studios are the second most-sought-after filming locations in Europe.
