Oscar-Winning Film Editor Becomes Juror at Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival

Vietnamese-American film editor Tom Cross, an Oscar laureate recognized for his work on the film Whiplash in 2015, will join the inaugural Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF) as a juror for the First or Second feature film category.

The first-ever HIFF 2024 will be held on April 6-13 which will draw the participation of some 200 filmmakers, actors, and actresses from around the world.

Tom Cross is an Oscar laureate recognized for his work on the film Whiplash in 2015. He has edited a series of blockbuster Hollywood movies, including La La Land (2017) and No Time to Die (2023).

Along with screening nominations, there will be an exhibition on the film industry, workshops, and refresher courses, among others.

Among the highlights of the festival, a cine show which features a series of music and fashion shows in movies will bring a unique audio-visual experience to the visitors.

The organization of the show aims to honor Vietnamese and international cinematic works, as well as standout achievements of the fashion industry of HCM City and Vietnam.

Raised in Long Island, Cross, also known by his Vietnamese name Minh Tâm, is a Purchase College alumnus with a Visual Arts degree, class of 1993. He initially pursued advertising design but quickly shifted to producing independent films.

With ambitions of working on major cinema projects, he relocated to Los Angeles and volunteered at Corman Studios to gain industry experience. Cross dedicated years to refining his craft as an assistant editor before making significant contributions to notable films such as Ang Lee’s Ride with the Devil (1999).

In 2005, Cross became part of the editing team for the acclaimed TV series Deadwood (HBO, 2004–2006). By 2010, he had advanced from assistant to lead editor with the film The Space Between.

Subsequently, Cross edited The Western Hostiles (2017) by Scott Cooper and Damien Chazelle’s First Man (2018), starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy. This project earned him another BAFTA nomination for Best Film Editing and the American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited Feature Film in 2019, along with the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Editing.

In 2022, Cross clinched another BAFTA for Best Editing with the James Bond film No Time to Die, directed by Cary Fukunaga. More recently, his work on Babylon (2023) earned him a nomination for Best Editing at the Critics’ Choice Awards.

Regarded as one of the preeminent film editors in American cinema over the last decade, Cross gained international acclaim in 2015 with his Oscar victory for Best Film Editing for Whiplash (2014), a compelling tale of a jazz drumming student’s clash with his demanding teacher. This win prompted a global audience to ponder the true price of perfection. His subsequent project, the enchanting musical La La Land, was a box-office sensation and garnered Cross his second Oscar nod.

Cross will share his expertise and vision, guiding HIFF in honoring the most meritorious works in the First or Second feature film category.

HIFF’s First or Second feature film category offers a platform for emerging directors to present their innovative potential and distinctive narrative styles. As a member of the jury, Tom Cross is expected to identify exceptional talent and groundbreaking works that will invigorate the global film landscape.

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