Film production spending above EU average

Spending by film productions amounted to 0.15% of Hungarian economic output between 2010 and 2014, two-and-a-half times the European Union average, Hungary’s National Film Fund said. Citing a recent report by the European Audiovisual Observatory, the film fund said Hungary ranks number one in Europe in terms of the film industry’s contribution to economic growth. International productions, mostly US productions, represented 80% of spending in film, creating jobs, boosting tax revenues and improving Hungary’s popularity as a tourist destination, it said in a statement. If the film industry’s bearing on other sectors is also taken into consideration, then it accounts for 0.2% of output, it added. According to the film fund, Budapest has become the second most popular location in Europe after London. Recent international productions included Swedish director Pernilla August’s new film “The Serious Game”, and US director Jonathan Mostow’s new action thriller “Hunter’s Prayer” starring Robert Pattison. The pilot for HBO’s new series “Virtuoso”, produced by Alan Ball of “True Blood”, is currently in production in Hungary, as well as the action thriller “SAS: Red Notice”, starring Luke Evans.