Film Studies Eötvös Loránd University

Overview

The Film Studies programme of Eötvös Loránd University offers a general overview on the history and theory of film, as well as critical understanding of the mechanisms and genres of popular film culture, with an emphasis on academic and critical writing. Students become familiar with the different periods of Hungarian and world film history, the different theoretical approaches of film studies and filmic genres, and develop their skills of reading theoretical texts and interpreting films. During consultations the faculty helps them to develop their research interests and to become committed specialists, who will be capable of pursuing an academic career. 

The Filmmaking specialization is operated in cooperation with Budapest Film Academy and provides students up-to-date knowledge of different fields of the moving image industry. They get acquainted with the basic characteristics and writing of film scripts, the mechanisms and requirements of international film production and distribution, and get basic skills in directing, cinematography, and editing.

Strength of program

The Institute for Art Theory and Media Studies at ELTE was one of the first higher education institutions in Hungary to offer a degree in Film Studies. Part of the prestigious Institute for Art Theory and Media Studies, the Department of Film Studies has been hosting various undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs since the 1990s.The faculty members of the are highly acknowledged experts in film studies, specialists of their chosen field and take part in international and local research projects. 

They regularly organise conferences, workshops and screenings on a wide array of topical phenomena in past and contemporary film culture. Students play an important role in initiating and organising these events. The department has brought to life and operates a unique research group on Hungarian film history and has a major share in publications in this field. Faculty members act as editors of different film journals, serve as members of jury for film festivals and film boards. Our filmmaking courses are taught by acknowledged professionals of the film industry, and as a result of our cooperation with Budapest Film Academy students have the opportunity to attend lectures by award-winning filmmakers and leading representatives of the international film community.The department cooperates with different international film organisations and has an Erasmus+ cooperation contract with about a dozen of institutions all over Europe.

Career paths

Besides academia, the program prepares students for jobs in various branches of the cultural/entertainment sector. Our graduates pursue an academic career or find different opportunities in the media and film industry. Students of the Film Theory specialization acquire the skills and knowledge which allow them to become academic researchers or apply for a PhD program, either to the Film, Media, and Contemporary Culture PhD program hosted by our institute or to programs in other institutions. Our graduates are equally well-qualified to work as film and communication teachers, film critics, experts, and many of them hold a post in film and media archives or different national institutions and boards. Students of the filmmaking specialization have the skills to realize different products in the moving image industry, such as music videos, commercials, video blogs, short feature films etc. They can work for film production companies and they are able to act as distribution and exhibition executives.

Job examples

Film- and communication teachers, film-critics, editors, experts, positions at film and media archives or different national institutions and boards, line producers, screenwriters, cameramans.