9th Hungarian Film Harvest

At the 9th Hungarian Film Harvest, the feature films of 2024 will take center stage for 14 days. This two-week-long festival will be the longest edition in the history of the Film Harvest, offering more programs than ever before to entertain cinema lovers and fans of Hungarian films. Nearly every day of the festival will feature audience meet-and-greet events, where attendees can gain insight into fascinating details and behind-the-scenes secrets of the Hungarian film industry.

One of the festival’s special highlights is the first-ever trilogy screening at the Apolló Cinema, featuring works by Debrecen-born director and actor Szabolcs Hajdu. The trilogy showcases films that explore contemporary family and social issues, including It’s Not the Time of My Life (Ernelláék Farkaséknál), Kálmán’s Day (Kálmán-nap), and One Percent Indian (Egy százalék indián). Following the screenings, Szabolcs Hajdu will invite the audience to discussions as part of the Hungarian Film Harvest.

In addition to retrospective screenings, several films will have pre-premiere showings at the festival, continuing the tradition of past editions.

The screenings and audience discussions will take place in the Kertész Mihály Hall of the Apolló Cinema.

Ticket Prices:

Discounted ticket (Hungarian films of 2024): 990 HUF

Regular ticket (films of 2025):

Full-price adult ticket: 2,150 HUF

Discounted ticket with Debrecen city card: 1,950 HUF

Discounted ticket for students, retirees, and teachers: 1,650 HUF

Tickets will be available for purchase in person at the cinema’s box office and online from January 28, 2025!

For screenings of 2025 films, discounted tickets (city card, student, retiree, teacher) can only be purchased in person at the box office. Online purchases do not allow for discounts.

It has also become a tradition at the Film Harvest for renowned Hungarian filmmakers to take on patronage roles, supporting our initiative to promote Hungarian cinema.

Patrons of the 9th Hungarian Film Harvest:

Piroska Molnár – Actress

(Actor of the Nation, Jászai Mari Award and Kossuth Prize winner, Distinguished Artist of Hungary)

A true legend of Hungarian acting has joined the supporters of the Hungarian Film Harvest in Debrecen. Piroska Molnár’s list of awards and recognitions is almost endless, and her remarkable career as both a theater and film actress is truly impressive. She will be represented with three films at the 9th Hungarian Film Harvest: Uncle Ványi – Bubble Waltz (Ványi Bácsi – Buborékkeringő), Emma and the Death’s Head Moth (Emma és a halálfejes lepke), and Silent Night (Csendes éj). She will personally attend an audience meet-and-greet on the festival’s closing day in Debrecen.

Szabolcs Hajdu – Film Director, Actor

(Balázs Béla Award-winning director, Best Director and Best Actor at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)

We have long wanted to invite Szabolcs Hajdu as a patron of our film festival in Debrecen, as he is the city's most prominent filmmaker and has strong ties to Apolló Cinema. His body of work has already earned a place in the history books of both Hungarian and international auteur cinema. Throughout his career, he has personally accompanied all his feature films—as both director and actor—to the Apolló Cinema, where he is always welcomed as a celebrated filmmaker among his "own people."

PROGRAM – 9th HUNGARIAN FILM HARVEST

February 10, Monday

16:30 – Pre-Opening Screening

István Nemere – I Will Write as Long as I Live (6)

Hungarian documentary, 71 min, 2024

18:30

Black Dot (12)

Hungarian drama, 119 min, 2024

AUDIENCE MEETING – After the screening, our guest will be actress Anna Mészöly, the film’s lead actress.

Moderator: Dr. Kata Anna Váró, film scholar and university lecturer

Before the screening of Black Dot, the 9th Hungarian Film Harvest will be officially opened by Dr. István Puskás, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen for Culture, and Zita Dobos, Managing Director of Főnix Event Organizer Ltd., the operator of Apolló Cinema.

February 11, Tuesday

15:30

I Will Not Die (16)

Hungarian documentary, 92 min, 2024

17:30

Fight to the End (12)

Hungarian documentary, 57 min, 2024

19:00

Hedgehog Hunt (16)

Hungarian drama, 89 min, 2025

AUDIENCE MEETING – After the screening, our guests will be director Mihály Schwechtje and lead actor Csaba Polgár.

Moderator: Dr. Kata Anna Váró, film scholar and university lecturer

February 12, Wednesday

15:30

Changing Wilderness – My North (6)

Swedish-Hungarian nature documentary, 60 min, 2024

16:45

Fool Istók (16)

Hungarian drama, 95 min, 2024

19:00

Anyone Can Die (12)

Hungarian short film, 42 min, 2023

AUDIENCE MEETING – After the screening, our guests will be actor Róbert Koltai and co-director and screenwriter Ildikó Gaál.

Moderator: Zsolt Heller, essayist and folk culture expert

February 13, Thursday