“I Still Remember” – Stories of the Holocaust in Present-Day Budapest

On April 16, Hungary’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, the short film “I Still Remember” was released. The film blends stories of Holocaust survivors with present-day Budapest through a unique visual and narrative approach. Directed by Flóra Chilton, it was created by Personal History Production in partnership with the Északi Támpont Association, with support from Szeretlek Magyarország.

Intergenerational Memory Through Theatre and Film

This is the third year Personal History Production has launched a theatre-based process with young people in Budapest, centering on personal stories from survivors of World War II. Rather than focusing on historical documentation, the project emphasizes personal experience and perspective, creating space for emotional and human connections across generations.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s conversations took place online. Some of these powerful narratives are now accessible to a wider audience through the short film.

Real Voices, Real Memories

The film features performances by the young participants of the project, portraying the experiences shared during the 2021 sessions. The audience hears the stories in the original voices of the storytellers, creating a deeply authentic emotional impact.

Four Holocaust-era stories come to life through live action and animation, set against the backdrop of contemporary Budapest. The result is a moving cinematic experience that ties past and present together.

Awards

  • 82nd UNICA Film Competition – Silver Award (Locarno)
  • Pápa International Historical Film Festival – Best Short Documentary (2024)
  • Prisma Awards (Rome, Italy) – Best Animation
  • Cinemira International Children & Youth Film Festival – Best Animated Short & Best Hungarian Short Film (2022)
  • 9th Savaria Film Festival – Cultural Heritage Category, 2nd Prize (2022)
  • Hégető Honorka Award – Civil Prize (2021)
  • 18th Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival – Special Mention, Hungarian Competition (2021)
  • 66th National Independent Film Festival – Best Mixed Technique Animation
  • 8th Malter Film Festival – Special Award by the German Forum
  • 5th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival – Best Experimental Film
  • 12th Bujtor István Film Festival – Special Award for Best Animated Film