Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival kicks off tomorrow in Szeged
The 9th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival opens Tuesday at Szeged’s Belvárosi Cinema, bringing five days of screenings, discussions, and special events focused on cinematography. Organizers held a press briefing Monday morning to preview the event’s highlights, including a new music video category, returning audience favorites, and expanded programming for young viewers.
This year’s edition features 29 competition films from 52 countries, including nine features, six documentaries, and 14 shorts, alongside eight music videos making their debut in the newly introduced section. According to organizers, the festival received 100 more submissions than in previous years, despite a shortened entry period.
A five-member professional jury chaired by award-winning cinematographer Gábor Szabó will select the winners. Jury members include director-screenwriter Hajni Kis, producer Gábor Rajna, actress Alexandra Borbély, and cinematographer Péter Lehr Juhász. Separate prizes will be awarded by a critics' jury and the Hungarian Cinematographers’ Association (HCA) through the Hungarian Cinematographers’ Week program section.
The festival will also see participation from the Association of Hungarian Directors, which has delegated its own jury to present a prize for the second time. As in past years, a ten-member student jury composed of high school and university students will recognize standout works for their visual language.
The event officially begins Tuesday, May 27, with the opening of Ida Csapó’s thread-portrait exhibition “…the girl, she just barely exists”, followed by the Hungarian premiere of Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy.
This year’s program includes returning classics such as Christopher Nolan’s Inception and the cult Hungarian film Love Till First Blood, the latter presented as an open-air screening. Every morning will begin with KIDsFEST, screenings for pre-registered kindergarten and school groups. Other notable entries include Vulture’s Wake, But What About Tomi?, Gone Running, and a selection from the 35th Mediawave International Film Festival.
A portrait documentary on the Szeged-born Oscar-winning cinematographer, Close Encounters with Vilmos Zsigmond, will also return to the big screen on Thursday.
In addition to screenings, the festival will host roundtables, including Through Women’s Eyes 2.0, a continuation of last year’s discussion on gender and filmmaking, and a thematic session focused on coming-of-age stories.
The festival runs May 27 – 31. Tickets and the full program are available on the Belvárosi Cinema and the ZSIFF websites.
Featured image: Press briefing at Belvárosi Cinema. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
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