Ádám Felszeghy
“Pushing the Boundaries of Narrative Cinema”
Ádám Felszeghy is a Hungarian film producer whose work spans multiple genres, with a particular focus on cutting-edge storytelling and innovative hybrid forms of narrative. His productions are known for their authentic personal voices, blending fiction and documentary techniques to challenge cinematic conventions.
Born on March 27, 1986, in Budapest, Hungary, Felszeghy completed his secondary education at Fazekas Mihály Fővárosi Gyakorló Gimnázium between 2002 and 2005. He then pursued Film Theory, Film History, and American Studies at Eötvös Loránd University, graduating in 2011. His academic background provided him with a strong theoretical foundation, but his passion for filmmaking was driven by a desire to craft stories that resonate with both local and international audiences.
One of his most notable projects is Pelikan Blue (2023), a feature-length animated documentary directed by László Csáki. The film explores the underground world of international train ticket forgery in the 1990s, shedding light on a little-known chapter of post-socialist history. The film’s bold stylistic choices and engaging narrative earned it a place on the shortlist for the European Film Awards.
„The director, László Csáki, was looking to find the perfect form for this story. Between 2006 and 2018, it was planned to be a feature film first. That was when he started to record these archive sound recordings that are actually in the film. But, back then, they were only research material. Nobody thought that we are going to use that in the actual film. But we did, because later on, it turned out that the subjects of the film are speaking very well. They have very original voices, very original stories, and we wanted to use the film with their own voices because that was so authentic and so original. That’s how we came across this genre of animated documentary, and that’s why László chose this form instead of a feature film or a documentary without animation.“
During his visit at VFF2025, Ádám will present an in-depth case study offering a behind-the-scenes look at Pelikan Blue’s origins, challenges, and production process. He will share exclusive insights into the creative and technical solutions—from initial animatics to final animation—that shaped the film’s evolution from concept to completion.
Pelikan Blue.
Felszeghy’s filmography also includes fiction features such as All About the Levkoviches (2024) and The First Two (2023), as well as several acclaimed short films. His ability to move fluidly between different formats and genres reflects his commitment to exploring fresh storytelling perspectives and breaking traditional cinematic boundaries.
„I’m very lucky because I also have a feature film that I produced (All about the Levkoviches) while I was producing this animated film. It just came out and for four weeks we’ve been in the top 10 [at the box office]. I think, especially after COVID times, [audiences] want to see local cinema, they want to see local films and they can be brought to cinemas. You just have to find new ways to bring them to the cinemas. It’s very difficult and it requires extra effort. I think distributors have to change their habits and have to find new ways. We have to organize a lot of events with film screenings because that’s how you can mobilize audiences in Hungary.“
As a member of the Hungarian Film Academy and the Hungarian Documentary Association (MADOKE), Felszeghy plays an active role in shaping the Hungarian film industry. His productions not only push artistic boundaries but also engage with pressing social and historical themes, making them relevant beyond national borders. He is also an alumnus of Berlinale Talents, the annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival for outstanding creatives from the fields of film and drama series.
His approach to filmmaking is rooted in collaboration with visionary directors who seek to experiment with form and content. With his diverse body of work and commitment to innovative storytelling, Ádám’s work is redefining contemporary Hungarian cinema, proving that hybrid narratives and unconventional approaches have a place on the international stage.
Ádám Felszeghy’s masterclass is made possible thanks to the collaboration between Visegrad Film Forum and APAF – the Slovak Association of Animated Film Producers.