Markets

NATPE Budapest, the leading television content market for Central and Eastern Europe, has announced the launch of NATPE Honors Europe, a new award initiative celebrating individuals who are shaping the future of entertainment in the region. The first edition of the awards will take place on June 23, 2025, at the Dorothea Hotel in Budapest.

The initiative follows the successful debut of NATPE Honors at NATPE Global in Miami earlier this year. According to Claire Macdonald, Executive Director of NATPE, the European edition aims to spotlight exceptional leadership and innovation within the CEE industry.
“This is about recognizing the people who are moving the industry forward with bold ideas and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” Macdonald said.
The 2025 honorees span multiple sectors of the industry and include both long-standing figures and emerging voices.

North Star Award – For outstanding career achievement and leadership:
George Levendis, Managing Director of ANT1 TV, Mak TV, and Antenna Studios (Greece), is acknowledged for his forward-thinking approach, mentorship of new talent, and ability to foster international partnerships.
Levente Málnay, Managing Director and EVP of AMC Networks International, Central and Northern Europe, is recognized for his key role in building commercial television post-communism and his extensive work across content and channel development.

Shift Disturber Award – For driving innovation and change:
Daniel Grunt, CEO of Nova Group, earns recognition for the growth of the Voyo streaming platform, which has gained traction with audiences through a strong investment in original local productions.
Magdalena Szwedkowicz, producer at MAG Entertainment, is honored for her work in elevating Polish film and television on the global stage with a slate of successful productions, including Forgotten Love and Justice.

Cause + Action Award – For social impact through media:
Starlight Media (Ukraine) receives this award for initiatives supporting veterans, notably casting a war veteran in the local version of The Bachelor.

NATPE plans to make NATPE Honors Europe an annual fixture, spotlighting those contributing meaningfully to the evolution of the media and entertainment landscape in the region.

This year’s edition of NATPE Budapest will also feature a robust lineup of major studios, including Fremantle, FOX Entertainment Global, NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and Sony Pictures Television. More than 300 buyers from 60 countries have registered, reinforcing the event’s role as a key content marketplace for CEE.