From the outside, the Budapest Filmbox resembles a traditional book, yet within lies a veritable miniature cinema. It contains 25 short films, breathing life into nearly a thousand vintage photographs. Crafted over several years through the manual animation of the Animatiqua team, these films present the architectural and cultural heritage of Budapestʼs Golden Age from an entirely unprecedented perspective.
In the following interview, András Kondacs, the visionary behind the Filmbox, discusses the genesis of the idea, the logic governing the selection of the 25 films, the technical mechanics of the device, and future endeavors.
What is the Budapest Filmbox? How would you define it in a single sentence?
It is a tribute to those who hold Budapest dear, and to all who feel a profound kinship with the turn of the previous century—the world of the Golden Age. The moment the device is opened, we embark on a journey through time to an epoch when the city echoed with the clatter of horse-drawn cabs and fiacres. We crafted the animations entirely by hand, explicitly without the use of artificial intelligence, utilizing hundreds of archival photographs. The films explore narratives such as the construction of Andrássy Avenue, the Millennium Exhibition, the palatial estates of the Danube promenade, and mystical urban legends. That is merely four subjects; there are twenty-one more.
What sparked the idea? Where did the story of the Filmbox begin?
The concept of the mini-cinema evolved organically, though its initial seeds were sown during countless urban walks many years ago. Traversing the streets of Budapest, the footprints of vanished architecture began to reveal themselves, and I developed an intense fascination with the histories of vacant lots, for grand palaces once stood in their place. Fortunately, the rich archives of Fortepan allowed us to investigate a significant portion of these edifices even then. Initially, we exclusively sought the remnants of lost structures; later, we expanded our inquiry to houses and palaces that still stand today, albeit often stripped of their former ornamentation. Being an animation studio, we began producing short films about these buildings alongside our standard commissions. These short films started at 1-2 minutes, grew to 3-4 minutes, and eventually expanded into quarter-hour segments, such as The Birth of Budapest, which we created for the capital’s 150th anniversary, featuring the narration of Gabriella Hámori. The public developed a deep affection for these archaic videos and continually requested new material, prompting me to compile our previous works into a unified anthology. We only had sufficient material for 14 films, but I was resolute that the collection must contain 25; thus, the creation of 11 additional films became an absolute necessity. This undertaking has now concluded, and the Budapest Filmbox finally awaits its audience with a complete set of 25 films.
By what logic was the 25-film sequence curated?
The episodes follow a rhapsodic structure. The series does not proceed according to locations or districts, but rather different moods, stories, and eras alternate. The first episode, entitled Contours of the Future, is set in an era when three distinct cities still stood upon the banks of the Danube. However, certain episodes focus intently on a singular event or theme, such as the Millennium Exhibition or the legendary figures of Budapest. Ultimately, these films are educational tales—our intention was the very antithesis of a sterile history lesson, ensuring that every individual segment remains intellectually accessible to children and adults alike. For humanity fundamentally cherishes tales, and the profound beauty of these tales is that they are true.
Are there any rare recordings that are of particular value?
Yes, many! A personal favorite is a photograph documenting the construction of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences—a truly exceptional artifact. Several invaluable photographs by György Klösz and Mór Erdélyi also emerge within the films; these were images about which almost nothing was previously known. It was through the persistent, investigative diligence of my colleague that these treasures and their origins were unearthed, an effort for which I would like to thank her.
How does the Filmbox operate technically?
Externally, the form of the device almost completely mimics a traditional book. Yet, when the cover is opened, a built-in magnetic sensor automatically starts playing the first short film. Viewers can scroll back and forth between the 25 films and mute the sound with a button if they want to watch it on a train or in a noisy environment, for example. The device operates on a compact battery that lasts for many hours when fully charged. If it runs out of power, it can be recharged quickly at any time using a C-cable. Nowadays, almost everyone has this type of cable at home, but we also include one as part of the package.
What unique experience does the convergence of a book-like object and film provide?
In the case of the Budapest Filmbox, the true essence lies within—it is a miniature cinema. The synthesis of motion pictures “reawakened” from static imagery, paired with the narration, evokes an atmosphere that is simultaneously nostalgic and futuristic. It resurrects memories for older generations, while younger minds marvel at a visage of the city we can, regrettably, no longer behold. The films are narrated by the phenomenal actress Gabriella Hámori; her voice resonates universally, offering a profound experience to any age group from seven or eight years upward. An abundance of new knowledge, historical narratives, moral reflections, and mysticism surrounding the city’s Golden Age is brought to light, as the films strip away the veil concealing these secrets.
If you had to pick one episode, which resonates most closely with you?
Every segment holds immense significance for us, as they are the culmination of arduous labor, though naturally, a few episodes stand as paramount favorites. The Obscure Photographer is one such piece, alongside In the Footsteps of Legends and Contours of the Future. These are my personal favorites.
What feedback have you received regarding the Filmbox?
We had previously created a demo version, which we used for experimentation and testing. It contained far fewer films and did not allow users to switch between films, yet every single demo unit was bought with remarkable swiftness. Many of our current Filmbox patrons have returned to order more for their family members. We also get a lot of inquiries from companies, because they typically order larger quantities for their employees, for example as Christmas gifts. Appeals have even arrived from educational institutions; multiple pedagogues desire to project the films during their lessons, a development that brings us immense joy! However, the overwhelming majority of inquiries we receive pertain to the anticipated release date of Budapest Filmbox 2 and the new 25 episodes it contains. We are flooded with thematic propositions regarding which locations or historical narratives should be featured in the forthcoming edition. We strive to weave as many of these as possible into the films, though this is ultimately dictated by the photographic source material; fortunately, we are frequently sent magnificent vintage photographs. Incidentally, 12 films for the sequel are already completed, and we anticipate unveiling the second edition of the Budapest Filmbox, featuring 25 new histories, in the summer or early autumn of 2026.
How is historical authenticity constructed?
The visual aesthetic is entirely anchored in veracious and authentic sources. The animations, derived from archival photographs, are the triumph of manual labor; thus, they are devoid of fabricated or inauthentic details. In specific instances —for example, if a vintage photograph is damaged but the location it depicts remains accessible today—we supplement the imagery with our own photographs. Every detail is based on real facts, and during our research, we use intelligent digital tools to help us find archives and postcards, and we also consult with historians about both the visual elements in the images and the substantive content of the narration.
What are your plans for the future?
As previously mentioned, the second edition of the Budapest Filmbox is already underway, featuring 25 new short films and a new narrator, whose identity remains guarded—though I may reveal they are an entirely deserving, widely acclaimed, and beloved actor. Furthermore, we envision an album twice the current size, in an A4 format, which will include all of the previous parts, as well as 10 new short films and a longer 40-minute film of Budapest. So, in total, the larger-format mini-cinema will contain 60 short films and one 40-minute film, and the screen will also be much larger.
