Mandula Lujza

Some of my friends call me Lujzi, others Mandula. I’m an actress. I started acting really young, I was 3 years old on the set of my first film. That was a game changer, and I decided acting was my calling. I’ve been in several films, both feature and short, played in 2 TV series, and gained theatre experience as well, including a role at the Hungarian National Theatre. I fell in love with filmmaking so much that during my high school years I started making films myself. I made my first one the summer I graduated.

Due to personal issues, I didn’t apply to SZFE (the Hungarian theatre and film university), and the same year I finished high school, SZFE collapsed (a government takeover led to the faculty resigning and students occupying the building). I was part of the FreeSZFE protest, and out of solidarity, I didn’t apply to the new SZFE either. I spent a few years living off film acting while continuing to make my own projects. During a film workshop where I’d been invited as an actor, I met Gábor Ferenczi, who encouraged me to apply to the ELTE film school, where he was teaching. I’ll finish my studies this year with a film directing diploma.

I still think of myself as an actress, just one who understands the other side too. I imagine my future in the film industry as an actress, a director, or a producer. I’m someone really passionate about filmmaking and I’m told I’m easy to work with.