The state-of-the-art complex is located in Fótliget, 18 km northeast of Central Budapest by road. With fewer than 10 comparable facilities globally, the studio offers unparalleled services to the filmmaking industry.
“We are proud that the Visual Europe Group has established a world-class film production complex in Budapest, further strengthening Hungary’s position in the international film industry,” says Botond Szabolcs, founder and co-owner of VEG.
“Our extensive experience with LED wall operations naturally led to the creation of this virtual production studio, representing a new era in filmmaking. The complex was developed primarily with the expectations and production needs of international crews in mind, but we also look forward to hosting domestic productions, whether for feature films, commercials, or music videos,” he says.
“Our goal is to build lasting business relationships with international and local film producers and position United Illusions at the forefront of the virtual production revolution,” Szabolcs adds.
The facility features three state-of-the-art studios and production offices. The centerpiece is a 28-meter-wide, 6-meter-high LED wall, complemented by a 7-meter by 4.5-meter ceiling panel and a 4 by 4-meter movable side element.
VEG says the setup offers virtually limitless creative possibilities for productions ranging from big-budget Hollywood films to independent projects, commercials, and music videos. The advanced LED walls can display photorealistic backgrounds in real time, eliminating the need for traditional green screens.
This immersive environment allows actors to focus on their roles within lifelike settings, while directors benefit from unparalleled control and flexibility during shoots, enhanced by augmented reality and virtual reality technologies.
“Hungary has long provided attractive studio capacities, but the arrival of United Illusions opens new horizons for crews visiting Budapest,” says Zoltán Simon, director of the studio.
“With nearly 2,000 sqm of studio space optimized for virtual production and fully equipped technical facilities, we are ready to meet any production need. Virtual studio environments are the fastest-growing segment of the film industry, elevating storytelling to a whole new level,” Simon says.
The development of United Illusions was realized in close collaboration with Arri, the Munich-based German manufacturer of motion picture film equipment, whose expertise guided the installation of the LED walls and associated technologies. The studio also features an in-house graphics division, offering services such as digital background creation, complex visual effects, and adaptations of existing visuals.
“We introduced United Illusions to American filmmakers at the Location Expo in Las Vegas in November, where we were a key sponsor. European producers learned about our offerings at the Focus London film market in December, and we plan to expand our client base further at the upcoming Berlinale.”
United Illusions’ services are available in partnership with Origo Studio, which has extensive expe-rience supporting globally successful productions. The two firms will showcase their combined of-ferings to the global film community at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (the Berlinale), which runs from Feb. 13-23.
Discussions with international production teams have begun, although details remain confidential until disclosure permissions are granted. It has been confirmed, however, that the studio’s first significant production, featuring international stars, commenced filming immediately after the opening.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of January 24, 2025.
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