Q&A with Balázs Zachar, Graduate of the European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA
For professionals working at the intersection of film, law, and business, continuing education often means choosing between a short workshop or a deep-dive qualification. While seminars and courses can sharpen a specific skill, some career paths call for something more comprehensive.
That’s where the European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA programme comes in.
Designed for professionals looking to deepen their knowledge across the entire value chain of the audiovisual industry – without putting their careers on hold – this international programme combines academic depth with practical relevance. Over two years, participants complete a full master's degree and graduate with a joint qualification from Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and the University of Potsdam – leading institutions in film and legal education.
We spoke with Balázs Zachar, our alumnus whose impressive career spans public policy, legal advisory, and film production, about his experience and how it’s shaping his next professional chapter.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background before joining the programme?
Most of my career has been in film. As a young legal counsel at the Hungarian Ministry of Culture, I realized there was a gap in expertise when it came to legal and audiovisual matters. So, I dove into self-training and soon found myself involved in drafting Hungary’s first film law and tax incentive system.
That was around twenty years ago, and it was then I truly understood what a film producer does – it struck me as a fascinating profession. After a few detours, I became Head of Legal Affairs at the newly founded National Film Fund in 2011, which was an extremely productive period for Hungarian cinema. It also allowed me to shift from a theoretical legislative role to a more hands-on legal one, which I enjoyed immensely.
Eventually, though, I couldn’t resist the creative pull any longer, and in 2018 I began producing films. Still, I’ve never entirely stepped away from the legal world.
What motivated you to pursue the programme, and how did it shape your understanding of the industry?
As a relatively new producer working on smaller productions, I saw this programme as a chance to explore corners of the industry that we rarely get to examine in-depth during the rush of everyday work – things like international business practices, marketing strategies, and contract negotiations.
I was hoping to gain a broader, more systematic view of these legal and business aspects. The academic pedigree of the programme – run by the University of Potsdam and Film University Babelsberg – really reassured me in terms of quality. In the end, it turned out to be a great decision.
What were the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Most of us aren’t Renaissance people, so there are naturally areas we find harder to grasp. For me, it was some parts of marketing theory and methodology. Another major challenge was balancing study with ongoing production work – there’s often little room for anything else when you're on set.
I had to reschedule three modules in the second semester because of a shoot, but luckily the programme is flexible, and I was able to make them up the following year.
Any memorable moments you’d like to share from your time in the programme?
Absolutely. During our final on-site course week in Potsdam, we had an incredible leadership and management workshop. One of the exercises involved sharing difficult career experiences. A classmate and I ended up telling very similar stories about challenging productions, and it was both surprising and comforting to realise how relatable our emotional reactions were.
It was a reminder that the pressures of being both project manager and unofficial psychologist can be overwhelming. It also underscored the importance of reaching out for support when needed.
How do you plan to apply what you’ve learned in your career moving forward?
I found it especially fascinating to look into how new legislation and legal cases are keeping pace with rapid technological changes – particularly in areas like data economy, blockchain, and AI. These issues will definitely impact our industry, from development through to distribution.
While AI might seem a bit “overhyped” now and its evolution slower than some anticipated, I believe the technology will keep advancing. We need to stay adaptable, whether we’re on the production or legal side.
What advice would you give to future students considering this programme?
Engage actively with the online seminars. The professors and experts welcome meaningful discussions, especially when students bring in practical questions from their work in business or law. These debates make the sessions far more enriching and help bridge the “Zoom gap.”
Also, form a strong online group with your fellow students – we found ours incredibly supportive, and I hope to keep it alive as both a friendly and professional network.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon?
Right now, I’m working on an emotionally resonant drama feature by a first-time director. It’s about an elderly man whose wife suffers from dementia and who, for the first time in his life, falls in love with another woman. We've received development funding and already pitched it successfully at two major co-production markets, winning awards at both.
On the legal side, I’m growing my international consulting services. We’ve just started a collaboration with Czech lawyer Marek Martinka – who's currently completing the LL.M. track of the same programme. Together, we’re focusing on legal and rights clearance for international film and series productions.
My goal is to maintain a balance between creating meaningful films and running a successful consulting business.
Thank you, Balázs, for sharing your journey with us. Congratulations again on completing the European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA—we’re proud to have you as part of our alumni community. We wish you all the best for your upcoming film project and the continued growth of your international legal practice. We’ll be following your work with great interest!
This interview with Balázs offers just one example of how the programme not only provides academic and industry expertise, but also fosters meaningful, cross-border collaboration. His ongoing partnership with a fellow student of the programme speaks to the kind of synergies the programme can help create - long after graduation.
📅Join our next online info session on 3 June at 17:00 (CET)
📬For more information, reach out to the programme’s project manager Katriina Miola, at km@epi.media
📝Applications are open until 31 July
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