The 11th Cinefest International Film Festival opened on Monday in the eastern Hungarian town of Miskolc, lasting through 21 September. Minister of State for Culture Péter Hoppál said at the opening ceremony that films, through their unique visual means, present the multitude and freshness of human viewpoints, while providing an insight into other cultures.
He said the Miskolc Film Festival is a meeting point where “knowledgeable movie fans can become a real community and get even closer to the true nature of cinematography.”
Mr. Hoppál also pointed out that the Ministry is providing significant funding to the Festival because of its important role in passing on culture and creating value.
Festival Director Tibor Bíró said the event is gaining in popularity every year both at home and abroad and aims to provide an overview of the latest crop of movies.
Each year, the Festival shows the best offerings from the Cannes, Berlin and Sundance festivals, while also hosting master classes, workshop discussions and concerts.
The official programme consists of twenty movies, of which three are Hungarian: Free Entry by Yvonne Kerékgyártó, There is Something Strange and Inexplicable by Gábor Reisz and the animated film Manieggs – Revenge of the Hard-boiled Egg by Zoltán Miklósy.
The Panorama selection consists solely of movies screened here for the first time in Hungary, such as Childhood, a movie made over a period of twelve years and the opening film, Land Ho, a movie about pensioners moving to Iceland.
The programme also includes 13 documentaries, 33 short films and 19 animated films competing for section prizes. All screenings are free entry.