The first Đà Nẵng Asian Film Festival is expected to promote the integration and development of Đà Nẵng's cinema, affirming the city as Asia’s top destination of festivals. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm

ĐÀ NẴNG  Award-winning Vietnamese films like Tro Tàn Rực Rỡ (Glorious Ashes), Những Đứa Trẻ Trong Sương (Children of the Mist) and Memento Mori: Đất (Memento Mori: Earth) will compete against many other excellent Asian films in the first Đà Nẵng Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) this May.

The 1st DANAFF, held in the central coastal city of Đà Nẵng from May 9-13, is organised by the People's Committee of Đà Nẵng, the Việt Nam Association of Film Promotion and Development (VFDA), the Đà Nẵng’s Department of Culture and Sports in collaboration with other relevant departments.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the Đà Nẵng People's Committee, Ngô Thị Kim Yến, the 1st DANAFF selects and honours excellent cinematographic works rich in human values with new discoveries and unique artistic expression.

The event is planned to be held annually to encourage emerging talents in both Việt Nam and the Asia-Pacific region and widely introduce to the public new and high-value Vietnamese and Asian films, she added.

"Through the film festival, we hope to continue to create a world-class brand and event in the field of cinematography that will promote the integration and development of Đà Nẵng cinema, affirming the city as Asia’s top destination of festivals," she said. 

“It is hoped to connect and offer an opportunity for artists in general, and filmmakers in particular, to exchange experience and ideas for the development of Vietnamese cinema. It is a special film festival dedicated to art enthusiasts.”

The highlight of the 5-day event is the competition of films in two categories - the Asian film award category and the Vietnamese film award category.

The entries of the Asian film award category will be judged by South Korean film actress, director and screenwriter Moon Sori, Vietnamese actress Như Quỳnh, Vietnamese director Phan Đăng Di, Kazakhstan film director Adilkhan Yerzhanov, and Vice President Communications, Asia Pacific · Motion Picture Association, Stephen Jenner.

Vietnamese film Children of the Mist included in the top 15 for Best Documentary Feature Film of the 95th Oscar Academy Awards, will compete in the category along with 11 other entries like Joyland from Pakistan or Muru from New Zealand. The winner of this category will receive US$5,000.

The Vietnamese film 'Children of the Mist', included in the top 15 for Best Documentary Feature Film of the 95th Oscar Academy Awards, will compete in the first Đà Nẵng Asian Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Hà Lệ Diễm

Director Victor Vũ will evaluate the second category as Chairman of the Jury, which also includes Vietnamese actress Lan Hương, Thai film director Aditya Assarat, Indonesian film producer Yulia Evina Braha, and screenwriter Trần Khánh Hoàng.

The second category features eight Vietnamese outstanding films produced from 2021 to early 2023 like Em và Trịnh (You and Trịnh), Memento Mori: Earth and Đêm Tối Rực Rỡ (The Brilliant Darkness). The best film will be awarded VNĐ70 million (US$2,900).

The festival's non-competition category will include the programme Today’s Vietnamese Cinema screening of 16 Vietnamese films produced from 2020 to 2022, the screening programme Japanese Cinema Spotlight, and the screening of four films about Đà Nẵng and two about Việt Nam.

Besides 12 official awards of two main categories, DANAFF will also grant NETPAC Award for excellent Vietnamese film which is decided by the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Jury, and the Audience’s Choice Award for Favourite Vietnamese Film voted by the audience participating in the screenings of Today’s Vietnamese Cinema programme.

Other exciting activities within the framework of the 1st DANAFF include a three-night outdoor film screening at APEC Park, conferences with the themes Developing Film Industry – Building a Favourable Filmmaking Environment in Đà Nẵng, and Japanese Cinema – Successful Experience and Direction of Cooperation with Vietnamese Cinema.

The “Talent Incubator” workshop will offer basic and advanced acting classes for students selected via casting rounds in Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng and HCM City guided by foreign experts.

For more information about the 1st DANAFF, please visit danaff.vn. VNS