An international academic conference on film tourism will be held for the first time in Sárospatak on 29–30 April 2026. The aim of the initiative is not merely to organise a one-off professional event, but to establish a forum that will be influential in the long term and help to create a tradition, bringing together tourism and film researchers, educators and practitioners from the Carpathian Basin.
The conference was organised by Tokaj-Hegyalja University, as well as Kodolányi János University and its film tourism research group.
Focus on film tourism: global trends, local impacts
On the first day of the conference, participants can look forward to academic presentations and panel discussions. The programme will focus on current issues in film tourism. Topics will include the relationship between global trends and local characteristics, as well as the impact of film productions on the economy and tourism of a particular region or country.
The event will conclude with a field trip
On the final day of the event, participants can take part in a study trip, which will give them the opportunity to experience the region’s tourist and cultural attractions first-hand.
Hollywood heritage from the region
A particular reason for organising this conference is that the Tokaj-Hegyalja region is the birthplace of several leading figures in the international film industry. Two Oscar-winning Hollywood studio founders also hailed from here:
Adolph Zukor (Paramount Pictures) was born in Ricsén, William Fox (20th Century Fox) was born in Tolcsva, Dave Gould the Oscar-winning choreographer and dance director, and the dance director of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio, was born as Dezső Guttmanin Cigánd.
Tony Curtis was born in Mátészalka, in the wider region, whilst the Oscar-winning Imre Pressburger was born in Miskolc and went on to become a renowned screenwriter, producer, director and film studio founder in England.
The detailed programme for the conference is available here.
