The new gold of Pécs?!

Creativity is limitless. This is proven every day by those in the creative industries. DesignPécs, organised by The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya, celebrates its 10th anniversary and this autumn offers a series of special events for creative entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. On 10 October, the residents of Pécs were able to discover a very special and ambitious project, "Let's turn Pécs upside down!" where they were given an insight into the fascinating world of film production by Zoltán Deák (Pillango Productions) and Tamás Kovács (TSP Art Lab).

Fighter pilots, aliens, superheroes, serial killers, nosy grannies, heroic lovers. These character types can belong to different film genres, but their life stories can also be woven into a single story. This is one of the great beauties of storytelling. Wonder how our favourite films and TV series were made? What steps did the creators have to take to get them on our screens?

More and more foreign films are being made in Hungary, as shown in the graph below. "In 2020, the total revenue of Hungarian film production reached HUF 360 billion, a significant contribution to the economy. If I remember correctly, 20 to 30 billion of this was tax revenue. This amount is increasing year by year," explained Tamás Kovács. The Budapest Business Advisor wrote:

"Hungary is currently one of the top 10 filming locations in the world. The main profile is servicing overseas studios; only the U.K. film industry represents a greater volume in Europe. "

According to their article, 2024 could be the first year in which Hungarian production exceeds $1 billion.

"Hungary is attractive for foreign studios because they can produce quality films at a low cost," added Zoltán Deák. Most of the films shot in Hungary are concentrated in Budapest and its surroundings. Could films be made in our city? The answer is yes, because the two gentlemen have already made it happen!

The film, titled "12 Toys of Christmas", is primarily set in Pécs. 

It's a romantic comedy featuring iconic Pécs locations such as Széchenyi Square or the Tettye.

"Pécs has everything it takes to make a film here.

From the professionals to the locations, everything is given," explained the creator of Pillango Productions.

Photo by Attila Dobos

"Pécs deserves to flourish a little", emphasised Tamás Kovács. The head of TSP Art Lab. emphasized that

Pécs has always been the home of creativity, where many forms of art and culture have blossomed.

The city's musical life is marked by iconic bands such as 30Y, Halott Pénz, Kispál és a Borz, while the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra is a prominent player in classical music. The fine and applied arts are also strong in Pécs, but its role in the film industry is also noteworthy, with the city being associated with film directors such as Oscar-winning director Mihály Kertész.

"The film industry would create a lot of new jobs, jobs that did not really exist here in Pécs and the region. Not to mention the fact that it would be an excellent marketing opportunity for the city", added Tamás Kovács, who highlighted the economic benefits of filming in Pécs, as

a production could employ hundreds of local entrepreneurs within a year. 

He believes that the presence of stars in the city would be a great boost to tourism, and he also pointed out that "The crew is charging for everything, even the last nail. There is not a penny of grey or black work. There is no cleaner business than the film industry."

Photo by Attila Dobos

The creators of the Pécs film project revealed that they

are planning to shoot several films and even two series.

"It is important to stress that I am currently only working on projects that have been pre-financed or where the full budget is already available, possibly in the form of a distributor advance. These projects typically have a budget of between $1.5 and $3 million. We also have two series in the pipeline that we would like to pursue." - said Zoltán Deák, who also mentioned that

the question of a studio had already been raised. 

"We are currently looking at a building that would make a great studio... As a studio requires a minimum ceiling height of 7 metres, which is a rarity in Pécs, I am particularly pleased that we found this property." - added the head of Pillango Productions.

The creators also noted that

they would like to involve the people of Pécs as much as possible in their future projects, as they will need a good number of extras and various professionals. 

They also revealed that they are currently researching potential filming locations and creating a database to help them find the right location for a particular scene. In addition, as the project will require additional funding, the initiators are open to investor interest, which could ensure the long-term success of the project.

Photo by Attila Dobos

If you're interested in similar projects and would like to get to know the city's creative industry, please visit the website of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya, as the DesignPécs series of events is not over yet.

Recommendation:
#tárgyalkotás / an exhibition of MOME and PTE Faculty of Arts students in the field of object creation
Open: 10 - 25 October 2024.
Location: Nádor Gallery (Pécs, Széchenyi tér 15.)

Written by Mercédesz Kovács-Csincsák