NATPE returning to Budapest

NATPE is moving its European market back to the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

The European event has been held in the city of Prague, in th Czech Republic, for the past two years with mixed results, but will move back to Hungary and be rebadged NATPE Budapest from next year.

It will be located in the InterContinental Hotel in Budapest and run from June 27–30. NATPE, a not-for-profit industry group based in the US, said it revamp the CEE-focused event with a full conference line-up and coordinated screenings from the Hollywood studios.

“As the most important CEE event, we look forward to returning to this great city in the heart of the region to host a newly reimagined event,” said Rod Perth, the outgoing president and CEO of NATPE.

“We will build on our international assets with a completely fresh orientation that showcases content from every country within the CEE,” he added. “While remaining a market for buying and selling, we will also be focused on discovering original programming to become the bridge between these countries and the broader international buying and distribution community.”

NATPE has successfully relocated its flagship US event to Miami and will be hoping for similar results from the move back to Hungary. The CEE event was previously run by Discop and called Discop East before NATPE took over and launched its branded market in 2012.

Incoming NATPE boss JP Bommel said: “We view each CEE country as a partner, and we want them to feel that this is their market providing new opportunities that haven’t previously existed. They will do business, they will network, they will engage with global partners, and their local content will lead the way on our international stage.”