MARI TÖRŐCSIK
Mari Törőcsik (1935–2021) was a celebrated Hungarian actress of international acclaim. Throughout her prolific career spanning from 1956 to 2020, she made significant contributions to cinema, theater, and television. Törőcsik garnered attention on the global stage with her debut at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival in the Palme d'Or contender "Körhinta" (Merry-Go-Round), directed by Zoltán Fábri. Her portrayal of a young farmer girl entangled in forbidden love earned accolades from notable figures such as Francois Truffaut and Jean Cocteau, with Truffaut dubbing her the festival's standout star.
Over five decades, Törőcsik portrayed over 100 characters, collaborating with esteemed directors including Fábri, Miklós Jancsó, Márta Mészáros, and Károly Makk. Her films graced the screens of Cannes, captivating audiences with performances in works such as Fábri’s "Édes Anna" (Anna), Jancsó’s "Szerelemem, Elektra" (Electra My Love), Makk’s "Szerelem" (Love), and Gyula Maár’s "Déryné, hol van?" (Mrs. Déry, Where Are You?).
Although she narrowly missed the Cannes Best Actress Award in 1971 for her role in Makk’s "Szerelem" (Love), Törőcsik clinched the prestigious honor in 1976 for her portrayal in "Déryné, hol van?" (Mrs. Déry, Where Are You?), depicting an aging theater actress. Her talent also shone in two Hungarian films nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar: Zoltán Fábri’s adaptation of Ferenc Molnár’s novel, "A Pál utcai fiúk" (The Boys of Paul Street) in 1968, and Makk’s "Macskajáték" (Catsplay) in 1975.
International audiences further admired Törőcsik in Péter Gárdos’s 1984 film "Szamárköhögés" (Whooping Cough), which earned top honors at the Chicago Film Festival in 1987, Costa Gavras’s Golden Bear-winning "Music Box" in 1989, and István Szabó’s Oscar-winning "Napfény íze" (Sunshine). Her illustrious career concluded with the lead role in Mészáros’ historical drama "Aurora Borealis – Északi fény" (Aurora Borealis – Northern Lights) in 2017.
Photo by FORTEPAN/FSZEK BUDAPEST GYÚJTEMÉNY/ SÁNDOR GYÖRGY
Photo by Gaspar Stekovics
Location
The Film Festival will take place at the Paradise Cinema and Carlton Cinema. Please check the address located on your ticket
CARLTON CINEMA
Address: Carlton Cinema, 20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
Arriving By TTC: The closest subway station is College Station
Parking: If you are arriving by vehicle, there are several parking options to choose from: the underground parking garage below Loblaws Maple Leaf Gardens on Carlton Street, the Holiday Inn parking lot on Wood Street, the parking lot on Alexander Street, various parking lots on Church Street south of Carlton and street parking where available along or around Church Street.
PARADISE CINEMA
Address: 1006 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6H 1M2
Arriving By TTC: The nearest subway stations are Ossington and Dufferin on Line 2 (Bloor–Danforth). The adjacent buses and streetcars also service Bloor Street West in that area
Parking:
A municipal (Green P) lot is located immediately behind the theatre, just north of Bloor St W
Limited on‑street parking is available along Bloor Street West and side streets
Jury
Dávid Géczy
Film director, Director of photography, Screenwriter
Géczy Dávid is a Hungarian film and commercial director, screenwriter, and cinematographer with an internationally recognized career in film, television, and branded content. His award-winning works have been featured at prestigious festivals including the Cannes Film Festival, the Chicago International Film Festival, and the Venice TV Awards. In 2015, his short film The Winner was selected by the Danish Film Institute as one of the year’s best short films following its screening at the Odense International Film Festival. His visual campaigns for the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music received multiple international honors, including Silver Hugo Awards, a Cannes Corporate Silver Dolphin, and Red Dot design awards. He also co-created the acclaimed web series Born Musicians, which won awards in Los Angeles and London. In 2020, the concert film created with Concerto Budapest earned the Golden Trophy at the Venice TV Awards, where he served as lead cinematographer and co-director of the filmed production. His documentary Genocide in Ligetfalu received the Hungarian Motion Picture Award for Best Short Documentary in 2021. Beyond filmmaking, Géczy has worked extensively as a director of commercials, music videos, documentaries, and television productions, collaborating with major cultural institutions and international artists.
Laura Banfalvi
Founder of TOHUFF
Laura Bánfalvi is a television journalist, PR and marketing professional, creative producer, and cultural organizer with decades of experience in the media, film, and theatre industries. She is also the creative producer of the television show Metamorfózis. Throughout her career, she has worked in television, radio, newspapers, and weekly magazines, primarily focusing on cultural programming. She has written screenplays, television dialogues, and worked as a book writer and editor. Her dedication to cultural and minority representation was recognized by the Bulgarian Minister of Culture for her work supporting minorities in Hungary. Laura worked for 13 years at the National Theatre of Budapest as press, PR and marketing director and creative director. She later became the marketing and communication director for the feature films Hadik (2022) and Úri muri (2025). In addition to her work in film and media, she collaborated with legendary Hungarian actress Mari Törőcsik, whose artistic legacy inspired Laura to found the [Mari Törőcsik Hungarian Film Festival in Canada, created out of deep respect for the internationally acclaimed artist and to strengthen Hungarian cinematic culture abroad. She has also worked as a creative producer of commercials and director of documentaries, combining storytelling, marketing strategy, and cultural vision throughout her professional career.