The Budapest-based Titanic International Film Festival, presenting the most daring and innovative pieces of international film production every year since its foundation in 1994, suddenly has to face a frustrating financial situation. Hungary's biggest and most significant international film event, or iginally planned between 7 - 17 April this year, was informed only two weeks before its opening night that it had been denied the government grant the festival had been receiving in the past 18 years. The funds of the Motion Picture Public Foundation of Hungary have been frozen, and for the time being neither the Municipality of Budapest nor the Ministry of National Resources is willing to support the festival either morally or financially. Thereby the festival has lost more than 30% of its total budget.  

The organizers of Titanic International Film Festival consequently have to impose severe restrictions in order to minimize the expenses. The originally 11-day-long festival is going to be two days shorter this year: it starts on April 8 and ends on April 16. The number of films and screenings has been significantly reduced and the organizers also have to cancel several guest invitations. The festival has been a competitive film event for the past six years but this year it cannot grant the  €10 000 premium going with the Breaking Waves Award traditionally received by the most outstanding film from the competition line-up. Since the organizers cannot afford expensive PR campaigns they heavily rely on the press and their recurring audience to gain publicity for the festival, which nevertheless offers lots of quality films, interesting Q&As and exciting sidebar events. More details on the festival's website: www.titanicfilmfest.hu.