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Budapest Independent Film Festival 2025
9 February at the Manyi – Kulturális Műhely
For its 7th edition, the Budapest Independent Film Festival moves, for the first time, to the Buda side of the city. Taking place at the vibrant Manyi – Kulturális Műhely on the 9th of February, the 2025 BIFF invites the city’s artistic crowd to explore fresh indie films from Hungary and beyond.
After two sold-out editions in a row, we are happy that the Budapest Independent Film Festival has gained a dedicated audience and serves as the meeting platform it aspires to be. Therefore, for the 2025 edition, we decided to move across the city and host our Festival at a place that brims with cultural events and a youthful audience.
Featuring 8 handpicked feature and short films this year’s programme represents a variety of genres, styles, and themes, showcasing the diversity and creativity of independent cinema.
The 7th Budapest Independent Film Festival opens with the feature documentary ‘In Ruins‘ by the Hungarian filmmaker Bence Sipos which follows a group of young entrepreneurs who, in the early 2000s, transformed the decaying buildings of post-war Budapest into vibrant cultural spaces. Through the birth and destruction of Budapest’s ‘ruin pub’ phenomenon, Sipos’ documentary narrates the city’s history through the past, present and future.
The second programme consists of seven short films by established and upcoming filmmakers from Argentina, Estonia, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary and Norway. Coming-of-age stories, relationship challenges and otherworldly adventures blend in a multifaceted programme that prioritises powerful stories and rising talents.
We hope that the 2025BIFF screenings will spark conversations, raise questions and lure the audience into the world of indie cinema.
Programme
Feature Documentary Film | 18:30-20:10
In Ruins, Bence Sipos, 99′ • Hungary • 2023, Feature Documentary Competition
Young entrepreneurs transform decaying buildings into “ruin pubs,” symbolising the city’s resilience. As these pubs evolve into tourist hotspots, the founders are torn between preserving local culture and adapting to commercialization.
**Break: 20:10-20:20**
Short Films | 20:20-22:00
Nada de Todo Esto, Patricio Martínez, Francisco Cantón, 17′ • Argentina • 2023
Short Film Competition
Whilst a mother drives with her daughter through the wealthy suburbs of her home city, eyeing the houses of the rich, she accidentally drives her car into a beautiful flower patch inside the front yard of a mansion, bogging their car down. The daughter tries to find a way out before her mother’s visceral fascination with the house and its owner drives them both to a point of no return.
Messy Valentin, Adrian Lungu, 11′ • Hungary • 2024, Hungarian Film Competition
Poppy tries to find the real one and finally leave behind the many years of loneliness that accompanied her until now, facing more and more interesting dating partners during Valentine’s Day.
Wishes from the Well, Alesja Suzdaltseva, 18′ • Estonia • 2023 • Student Film Competition
A down-and-out man needs coins for medicine. To get them, he heads off on a road of lies.
Fracti, Lavinia Petrache, 6′ • Switzerland • 2023 • Animated Short Competition
Humans live their routines inside a village floating in the sky. What happens when one of them causes the world to end?
Stay Awhile, Márk Bene 23′ • Hungary • 2024 • Hungarian Film Competition
Niki is obliged to take care of her mother, a woman with dementia for three days. The illness brings some unexpected changes to their relationship, forcing Niki to decide between holding on to past wounds or the time that is left.
The Kids Will Be Alright, Sigi Van Roy, 15′ • Belgium • 2024 • Student Film Competition
Aaron is on the brink of adulthood but struggles with the responsibilities that come along with it. He’s still in search of his place in the world while also trying to provide the best circumstances for his little brother James to grow up in.
Tits, Eivind Landsvik, 12′ • Norway • 2023 • Short Film Competition
Following an unpleasant run-in at the beach, teenagers Oscar and Iben are left behind by their friends.
Venue
MANYI – Kulturális Műhely
Address: Budapest, Margit körút 16, 1027 Hungary
Starting time: 18.30
Ticket Price: 1,950 (HUF)
All films have Hungarian or English subtitles
Links:
www.facebook.com/grandbudapestfestival
www.instagram.com/budapestindiefilmfest/?hl=en
Communications and Press Office: Aliki Seferou, [email protected]