Unlocking New Opportunities For Vietnamese Cinema

The 7th Hanoi International Film Festival, which concluded on November 11th, has unlocked new opportunities for Vietnamese cinema to reach the global stage. It has also stimulated creativity among young filmmakers and helped to promote Vietnamese culture.
November 14, 2024 | 06:39
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The 7th Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF VII) has seen many innovations compared to previous editions, becoming more organized and professional, focusing on young filmmakers," said Do Lenh Hung Tu, chairman of the Vietnam Film Association. He added that over the five days of the festival (November 7-11), HANIFF VII has told a vivid, engaging, and widely appealing cinematic story to the public and film lovers.

Unlocking New Opportunities For Vietnamese Cinema
Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long presented the award for Best Feature Film to a representative of the Iranian film Hard Shell.

A remarkable feature of this year's film festival is the participation of professional event organizers. This approach should be further promoted in future festivals to fully demonstrate the stature of an international film festival. Notably, with over 500 registered films and 117 selected films from numerous countries and territories, these are impressive numbers that contribute to affirming the festival's quality. Although I couldn't watch all the films, I noticed that with diverse themes and genres, we can learn a great deal from the filmmaking techniques and storytelling styles of international filmmakers," said Do Lenh Hung Tu.

Having been involved in HANIFF since its first edition, director and actress Mai Thu Huyen believes that the Hanoi International Film Festival is a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers. This is a space where filmmakers can meet, exchange experiences, enhance their understanding of different cinemas, and create new cooperation opportunities. In fact, films screened at international film festivals often have more opportunities for wide release, thereby generating revenue and reputation for producers and directors.

Director and actress Mai Thu Huyen said "Currently, Vietnamese filmmakers who are passionate about their craft all hope that their works will not only serve domestic audiences but also transcend Vietnamese borders. Each film or event like an international film festival is a cultural ambassador, introducing the country, culture, and people. Participating in a prestigious international film festival is an effective way to promote culture and boost the domestic film industry."

Promoting creativity and innovation

Over seven editions, the Hanoi International Film Festival has established itself as a global cinematic hub. At HANIFF VII, Vietnamese cinema made a strong showing across various categories, reflecting the positive trajectory of the industry. Commenting on the Film Project Market, producer and jury member Nguyen Phan Quang Binh said, "This year's market saw a record number of submissions, with half of the selected projects hailing from Vietnam and showcasing a diverse range of themes and genres. This is a testament not only to the success of HANIFF VII but also to the growth of the Vietnamese film industry, which has been actively fostering new voices and innovative storytelling, particularly among young filmmakers."

Actor Hua Vi Van has participated in many HANIFF editions as an actor. This year, for the first time, he is a jury member. "Becoming a jury member for the feature film category, I feel that this year's film festival has examined and evaluated films with a more innovative perspective, an open-minded thinking, and a closer approach to contemporary times. Throughout the days of the film festival, it was also a time that helped me have an overview of world cinema, and see the direction to contribute to the development of Vietnamese cinema," he said.

According to actor Hua Vi Van, "In the current context, not only Vietnam but also most filmmakers face certain difficulties in terms of economic resources, technology, and audience connection. HANIFF VII is a playground for exchange, sharing, and cooperation, a place for 'handshakes' to help cinema thrive. From there, Vietnam has a favorable opportunity to introduce its cinema to the international arena, and Vietnamese filmmakers can easily access the advantages of world cinema."

Unlocking New Opportunities For Vietnamese Cinema
The Hanoi International Film Festival has created a space for extensive interaction and connection among actors, directors, and filmmakers.

Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh found himself fully immersed in the cinematic atmosphere throughout HANIFF VII. While showcasing his own film, "Once upon a love story," he also took the opportunity to watch numerous films and engage in fruitful discussions with international filmmakers. He believes that the festival has cultivated a rich cinematic ecosystem, and the next step is for Vietnamese filmmakers to embrace a more proactive mindset. "By looking at global cinema, we can identify areas where Vietnamese cinema can further enhance its impact. This responsibility particularly lies with the younger generation of filmmakers," Minh said.

Looking back at the journey of the Hanoi International Film Festival, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said that the success of HANIFF VII is not only a bridge to promote the image of Vietnam, attracting international filmmakers to Vietnam, but also sowing in Vietnamese filmmakers the aspiration to develop the domestic film industry.

"Through films, workshops, and exchange programs, we see the achievements of world cinema, see the trends in filmmaking in the context of developing technology and techniques, and have experience and direction to develop Vietnamese cinema. These values not only enrich the film industry but also contribute to the sustainable development of national culture," Dong said.

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