Alexandre Trauner ART/Film Festival
The history of the film festivals in Szolnok, which have become a defining part of contemporary film culture, dates back to 1969. In addition to feature films, audiences could encounter fine arts works, scientific films, short films, and media-conscious creations that placed special emphasis on the role of visuality. Since 1998, the festivals have been organized by Tisza Mozi Ltd., and from 2000 onward they have operated with an international outlook.
In 2018, the Szolnok Film Festival entered a new era: it adopted the name of the Oscar-winning, Hungarian-born production designer Sándor Trauner, and under the name ATAFF it became a unique international showcase dedicated to production design. The meeting of heritage and innovation has since remained one of the festival’s most important elements of identity.
Over the years, we have hosted numerous internationally renowned film professionals as jury members and speakers. Among our guests have been Peter Greenaway, Olivier Gerard, Emir Kusturica, Nimród Antal, Peter Webber, and the Emmy Award-winning animation filmmaker Gábor Csupó.
A distinctive feature of ATAFF is that, in addition to a production designer, the main jury also includes a director and a cinematographer, who each give a masterclass during the festival focusing on aspects of production design that are particularly important from their perspective.
The audience – composed primarily of Hungarian and international students from film and art universities and colleges – has had the opportunity to learn from creators such as Allan Starski, the production designer of Schindler’s List; Eggert Kettlisson, art director of Dunkirk, Interstellar, and Batman Begins; Jean Rabasse, the César Award-winning French production designer; Jeannine Oppewall, the four-time Academy Award-nominated American art director; Jette Lehmann, production designer of Bastarden and Melancholia; Sabine Hviid, production designer of Another Round and Speak No Evil; and Joseph A. Hodges, production designer of the series 24.
The range of programs expands year by year. In addition to film screenings, we offer a comprehensive cultural experience: fine art exhibitions, book launches, concerts, professional conferences, masterclasses by Hungarian and international filmmakers, university showcase evenings, and a wide variety of cultural and gastronomic programs await the audience. The festival is not merely a series of screenings, but a space for inspiration and a community meeting point.
The aim of the festival is to serve as a living forum operating at the intersection of art and science. It is a space where international film professionals, as well as students and faculty from Central European film schools, can meet, build connections, share knowledge, and discover new perspectives.
Tisza Mozi Ltd
Tisza Mozi Ltd, the host of the film festival, was founded in January 1990 by István Demeter. In 1996, the company purchased the cinema building located in a prime downtown area, which it renovated and modernized in several phases. Thanks to continuous technical developments, the venue now operates with state-of-the-art digital cinema technology. The three screening rooms – Hall “A” (133 seats), Hall “B” (38 seats), and Hall “E” (30 seats) – provide an ideal environment both for the festival and for the year-round program offerings.
From the very beginning, Tisza Mozi has been committed to film education and community building. It organizes film clubs, thematic screenings, age-specific programs and training courses for young audiences. The cinema’s café regularly hosts exhibitions, book launches, and public events, enriching the cultural fabric of Szolnok. The terrace and the square next to the cinema – known as “Múzsák tere” (Muses’ Square) – serve as venues for open-air screenings, literary and gastronomic evenings, as well as free community programs.