Best of Budapest & Hungary

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.