"We were able to show the most significant Hungarian participation and success ever at the 61st Cannes Film Festival," Hiller said.
Hiller was in Cannes for the event and held talks with the festival director and the programme director. "These talks reaffirmed for us that the cooperation formed between the (film) profession and the government since the passing of the Film Act was part of the (Hungarian) success (in Cannes)," he said.
Hungary's Film Act, passed several years ago, gives film industry investors special tax breaks.
Hiller acknowledged the efforts of the Hungarian Film Union and proposed, in the name of the government, a three-year agreement between the union and the ministry which would ensure sufficient funding to heighten the profile of Hungarian films in Cannes. He declined to offer any further details on the size of the funding, but noted that "the situation will be different if there is a Hungarian film in the competition."
Pécs 2010 Framework Programme Signed
Speaking about the Hungarian city of Pécs's plans to take the European Capital of Culture Title in 2010, Hiller said the ministry signed on Monday a framework programme for the year, drawn up by an arts committee and approved by the local council of Pécs just a few days earlier.
Hiller said that Pécs had accepted changes to the contract between the city and the ministry too, "opening the way for financing for the programme." He added that the ministry earlier signed a contract on HUF 300 million in support for the city, which was not up for debate at talks on changing the contract.
Photo: Eszter Gordon
