For one week in late September, Budapest will once again become the Nordic movie capital of Hungary as the 12th Scandinavian Film Festival takes over the screens at Art+ Cinema on Elisabeth Boulevard (Erzsébet krt.) 39. From September 25 to October 1, fans can catch some of the region’s finest films, with the lineup featuring four pre-premiere screenings that haven’t hit Hungarian cinemas yet.
This festival is more than just a Budapest exclusive: parallel programs and unique ticket offers await cinephiles at venues across Hungary, including Apolló Cinema in Pécs and Debrecen, Downtown Cinema (Belvárosi Cinema) in Szeged, House of Arts in Miskolc, TISZApART Cinema in Szolnok, Agora Savaria Film Theater in Szombathely, and FOTON Audiovisual Center in Veszprém. Whether you live in the city or beyond, there’s a good chance the North is coming to a screen near you.
Pre-Premiere Delights
The festival will showcase four stand-out Scandinavian films before they officially open in Hungarian cinemas. These include Dreams (Álmok), The Republic’s Eagles (A köztársaság sasmadarai), The Last Viking (Az utolsó viking), and Swedish Torpedo (Svéd torpedó), all of which have already turned heads at Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Toronto. Fans eager for exclusives will want to grab seats, as each of these films is set to be released across Hungary later in the autumn and winter.
Award-Winning Premieres
Among the buzziest is Dreams (Álmok), a Norwegian relationship drama that had its world premiere at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival, winning three major prizes: the Golden Bear, the FIPRESCI Prize from international critics, and the Guild Film Prize. Hungarian audiences get a sneak peek before the nationwide release (from October 2), with even more in store for lovers of the “Sex/Love/Dreams” trilogy: the companion films Sex (Szex) and Love (Szerelem) will also be screened.
Sweden’s contender, The Republic’s Eagles (A köztársaság sasmadarai), completes Tarik Saleh’s acclaimed Cairo trilogy and made its debut at Cannes. Not only is it a strong candidate for Sweden’s international film Oscar submission, but it will also hit Hungarian cinemas in early 2026. Boy from Heaven (Fiú a mennyből), another film from this trilogy, is also included in the festival lineup.
Dark Comedies and Daring Dramas
Representing Denmark, The Last Viking (Az utolsó viking) offers another slice of Anders Thomas Jensen’s cult black comedy, starring none other than Mads Mikkelsen. The film’s world premiere was at the Venice Film Festival, and if Jensen’s previous hits—Riders of Justice (Az igazság bajnokai), Men & Chicken (Férfiak és csirkék), and The Bastard (A fattyú)—are anything to go by, fans are in for a wild ride. At the core of this story? Mikkelsen believes he’s John Lennon. Hungarian audiences can catch it from November 6, with earlier screenings including a special Jensen marathon featuring his previous dark comedies.
Historical drama comes courtesy of Swedish Torpedo (Svéd torpedó), spotlighting Sally Bauer’s determined quest to swim solo across the English Channel as World War II loomed. This inspiring Swedish film, based on real events, opens in cinemas nationwide from October 16.
Festival Favorites and Returning Greats
Alongside the premieres, the “Best of” selection brings back a host of beloved Scandinavian hits. Catch Lars von Trier’s genre-defying The House That Jack Built (A ház, amit Jack épített); the period drama The Bastard (A fattyú) with Mads Mikkelsen; Oscar-nominated, Palme d’Or-winning Triangle of Sadness (A szomorúság háromszöge); black comedies Under the Tree (A fa alatt) and Sick of Myself (Rosszul vagyok magamtól); and the youth drama Nothing (Semmi), based on the Danish bestseller.
Also returning: the Oscar-winning Danish hit Another Round (Még egy kört mindenkinek), Icelandic supernatural folk tale Lamb (Bárány), the Norwegian drama Out Stealing Horses (Lótolvajok) with Stellan Skarsgard, Swedish black comedy The Sunny Side of Life (Az élet napos oldala), Danish family drama Fathers & Mothers (Apák és anyák), award-winning Norwegian drama Armand, and the Venice Silver Lion-winner About Endlessness (Történetek a végtelenségről).
Packed Screening Schedule
Each day features a multi-room program with marathon runs and themed sessions. Expect “Best of” classics every afternoon, multi-hour director marathons (Jensen fans, take note!), and late-night thrills with films like Everybody Hates Johan (Mindenki utálja Johant) and Midnight Game – Forever Demons (Éjféli játszma – Mindörökké démonok). The final day features the entire “Sex/Love/Dreams” trilogy, ensuring cinephiles can binge from start to finish.
For one week, Budapest and seven other cities will be bathed in Nordic moods and movie magic, with festivalgoers treated to dark comedy, haunting drama, and moving real-life tales. From September 25 to October 1, grab some popcorn and catch Scandinavia’s finest—before the rest of the country does.
