Official selection for the 9th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival announced
The competition lineup for the 9th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival features internationally acclaimed films alongside the best of contemporary Hungarian cinema, with new categories and exciting additions. The organizers announced the full program in their latest press release earlier this week.
For the first time in the festival’s history, the pre-selection jury evaluated not only entries in the three main competition categories and Hungarian Cinematographers’ Week but also music videos. This new addition highlights innovative visual storytelling. The full competition lineup consists of 9 feature films, 6 documentaries, 15 short films, and 8 music videos, while 7 contemporary Hungarian films will be presented as part of Hungarian Cinematographers’ Week. The full lineup of the films in competition for the 2025 ZSIFF is listed on the festival's website.
The selection includes films that have been screened at Cannes, Berlin, Camerimage, and features several Oscar contenders. Highlights include Emilia Pérez, a multiple Golden Globe-winning musical comedy-drama directed by Jacques Audiard, and Small Things Like These, a poignant period drama set in 1985 Ireland, starring Cillian Murphy as a coal merchant who uncovers long-buried secrets in his small town.
The Hungarian Cinematographers’ Week section also features a very strong lineup, including Lesson Learned (Fekete pont), a 2024 Hungarian film directed by Bálint Szimler and shot by Emmy-winning cinematographer Marcell Rév. Premiering at the Locarno International Film Festival, the film offers an absurdist portrayal of an average Hungarian school, delving into the country's public education system. Another highlight is Gone Running (Futni mentem), a 2024 romantic comedy-drama directed by Gábor Herendi. The film follows a mother and her three daughters who, after the father's passing, decide to honor his last wish by running a marathon relay together. Since its release, it has become the most-watched Hungarian film since the political transition from communism in 1989, attracting over 660,000 viewers.
This year’s program also features some familiar names, such as Ernesto Rowe (Argentina), whose music video is among the competing works. His feature film, Filo Hua Hum, won two awards at last year’s ZSIFF: the Best Feature Award Special Mention and the Student Jury Award Special Mention.
The music video selection is equally diverse, featuring prominent Hungarian and international artists. Videos from Platon Karataev, Pogány Induló, and Parno Graszt will be shown alongside Irish, Icelandic, and Argentine productions. Jury president Gábor Szabó personally curated this eclectic program.
Beyond the competition program and Hungarian Cinematographers’ Week, the festival offers a rich variety of additional events. Attendees can enjoy screenings of Oscar-winning cinematography classics, student film showcases, and special screenings, along with professional discussions, workshops, and audience meet-and-greet sessions. The film criticism competition, which has become a popular tradition, will also return this year.
The 9th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival, dedicated to celebrating the art of cinematography, will take place from May 27 to 31 at the Belvárosi Cinema (Belvárosi Mozi) in Szeged.
All competition films will be screened with English and Hungarian subtitles.
Take a glimpse into last year’s festival:
