Hungarian film industry in good health in 2018

Spending on film productions and box office results in Hungary were both up in 2018, according to official figures published here on Monday.

Spending on film productions in Hungary reached 110.1 billion Hungarian forints (392 million U.S dollars) last year, Hungary's National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) declared in a statement.

The spending was up from 108.2 billion forints in 2017, but fell short of the 125.4 billion forints registered in 2016, NMHH added.

About 84 percent of the spending last year was accomplished by foreign filmmakers, NMHH noted.

A total of 333 films were made in Hungary in 2018, including 245 Hungarian films, 84 foreign films and four co-productions. The latest installment of the "Terminator" franchise, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton was among the biggest foreign productions last year, said NMHH.

A total of 15.6 million tickets were sold in Hungarian cinemas, which is half a million more than the 15.1 million viewers back in 2017, and a million more compared with 2016.

Based on aggregate views, "Mamma Mia!" had been the most popular movie in 2018, followed by "Avengers, Infinity War". The third most viewed film - still available in cinemas - was "Bohemian Rhapsody". (1 USD = 281 HUF)

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)