FILMED IN PHÚ YÊN: A scene in Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh (Yellow Flowers on Green Grass) shot in Phú Yên. Photo courtesy of Phương Nam Film.

PHÚ YÊN – The central province of Phú Yên has become the first locality in Việt Nam to build a cinema culture index, promising to effectively lure domestic and international film crews.

The Production Attraction Index (PAI) developed by Việt Nam Film Development Association (VFDA) has been launched recently at a miniature film festival titled Cinema with Phú Yên, jointly organised by the association in collaboration with Phú Yên Provincial People's Committee.

Nguyễn Thị Hồng Thái, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phú Yên Province, said the number of tourists traveling to the province had increased by 2.5 times since the release of the film Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh (Yellow Flowers on Green Grass) in 2015.

However, domestic film crews encounter numerous challenges in finding, examining and considering the local settings, let alone international film producers.

Therefore, PAI evaluates the interest of provinces and cities in welcoming film crews, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of each locality according to five criteria – financial support, information support, field support, legal procedures support and general local infrastructure.

Through PAI, VFDA expects to enhance the potential of the Vietnamese film industry and successfully introduce Việt Nam’s "hidden gems" to the world.

PAI is more than just an index – it is the key that opens the door to world of cinematic potentials in Việt Nam, according to VFDA.

"We believe that through cinematographic pieces, we can proudly promote the breathtaking scenic spots and profound culture of Phú Yên," said Phạm Đại Dương, Secretary of the Phú Yên Province's Party Committee.

“I hope Phú Yên would become a huge vibrant art studio where Vietnamese and international artists can create everlasting cinematic works.”

Besides Phú Yên, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng and Cần Thơ, among six other provinces, are also participating in constructing the PAI with VFDA. The local authorities take advantage of this opportunity to showcase the region's potential as an ideal destination for domestic and international filmmakers.

In addition, the VFDA also officially launched the website vietnamfilmproduction.vn at the miniature film festival.

For the first time, the entire filmmaking ecosystem in Việt Nam can be offered to international film studios, with the hope of future filmmaking collaboration ventures.

"I highly appreciate this initiative. The information provided by the PAI and the website will assist us in comprehending more about support and incentives for film crews in each of Việt Nam’s regions," Indian film producer Rahul Sudesh Bali shared at a seminar held last week in Phú Yên to discuss the PAI.

Within the framework of the seminar, Ngô Phuong Lan, the VFDA chairwoman, and the Indian Film Festival Worldwide led by Rahul Bali, Founder of Innovations India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commit to mobilising and connecting resources within their capabilities in the coming time and jointly organise a series of cultural and cinema events to boost and exchange filming activities in Việt Nam.

The two partners pledged to create opportunities to jointly release Indian films in the country; encourage and attract Indian filmmakers to unique locations in Việt Nam; cooperate and co-produce Indian-Vietnamese films; and together provide new products and avenues to promote cinema industry in the country. VNS