HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese short films are ready to step out of festival circuits and into the spotlight of commercial cinemas, as a new generation of filmmakers seeks to make these bite-sized stories a regular treat for everyday audiences.

While short films have long thrived in creative circles—screened at festivals, competitions and themed cinema weeks—their presence in commercial theatres remains limited despite growing interest and potential.

Among those working to change that is producer Nghĩa Kao, part of a new wave of filmmakers aiming to bring short films to mainstream audiences.

A scene from the short film ‘Đàn Cá Gỗ’ (The School of Wooden Fish), which brought in over VNĐ4.4 billion in just one week at the box office (July 15-21). It later won the 2024 Golden Kite Award for Best Short Film. Photo courtesy of Mounter

“Despite the many challenges, we remain committed to building a market, inspiring others and contributing alongside a new generation of producers,” Nghĩa Kao said.

For him and his team, it is not just about visibility – it is about exploring how audiences connect with shorter cinematic forms. Eventually, they hope to expand into feature-length productions for theatrical release.

His company, made up mostly of young creatives, has produced around 20 short films. Among them, Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở (Close the Eye to See) and Nửa Đêm Nổi Hứng Đi Cắt Tóc (A Midnight Urge to Get a Haircut) are the first to be shown in commercial cinemas with ticketed screenings.

A turning point came with Đàn Cá Gỗ (The School of Wooden Fish) by director Nguyễn Phạm Thành Đạt, which earned over VNĐ4.4 billion in its first week at the box office.

Its success helped build confidence among cinema operators, paving the way for Nghĩa Kao’s team to introduce their own short films to the public. Still, he acknowledged the challenges – short films’ brief runtime makes it harder for them to secure regular screening slots. So far, Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở and Nửa Đêm Nổi Hứng Đi Cắt Tóc have had limited screenings in Hồ Chí Minh City, Hà Nội and parts of the Mekong Delta, with hopes for more.

Film producer Nghĩa Kao attends the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2025 for the March premiere of his short film ‘Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở’ (Close the Eye to See). Photo courtesy of KAO Entertainment

Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở, directed by Irving Ly (Lý Chí Vỹ), is set to premiere on November 11 at Lotte Cinema Gò Vấp in Hồ Chí Minh City. The nearly 30-minute film, completed in 2024, has already travelled to international festivals, including BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2025 and queer film events in Brazil and South Korea. It has received warm responses from audiences abroad.

The film follows Nam, a university student grieving the loss of his lover, Minh. Through hazy, dreamlike scenes, Nam drifts into a world where memory and imagination blur, slowly uncovering hidden truths. The story gently explores the emotional weight carried by LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination, offering a quiet message of empathy and healing.

The idea for Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở began in late 2023, when Nghĩa Kao and Irving Ly, who first connected via social media, started developing the script.

Irving Ly, a graduate of the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, is currently pursuing a master’s in Film Theory and Research in Scotland. The story was inspired by a statement from the Ministry of Health affirming that homosexuality is not a disease and should not be subject to forced treatment – a response to real-life cases of medical and spiritual interventions targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.

A scene from the short film ‘Nửa Đêm Nổi Hứng Đi Cắt Tóc’ (A Midnight Urge to Get a Haircut), which will be shown in commercial cinemas with ticketed screenings. Photo courtesy of KAO Entertainment

Filming took place over four days in Hồ Chí Minh City and Đồng Nai during Irving Ly’s visit for Tết 2024. The crew included around 50 members, 90 per cent of whom were university students from schools such as Văn Lang, Hoa Sen and Hutech. Post-production lasted five months.

The film features minimal dialogue, relying on sound design and a soundtrack of seven original compositions. With support in lighting, sound, cinematography and cast fees, the project was completed on a modest budget.

“This is the first project produced entirely with funding from investors and multiple sponsors,” Nghĩa Kao said.

Nửa Đêm Nổi Hứng Đi Cắt Tóc, directed by Thạch Nguyễn, offers a more romantic take on LGBTQ+ themes. Set in a contemporary urban setting, the 23-minute film follows a young man nursing a broken heart who visits his best friend’s barbershop late at night. As the evening unfolds, long-held feelings quietly surface, leading to a moment of emotional honesty.

For the cast and crew, the experience of working on these films has been as meaningful as the stories themselves.

Actor Bảo Định, who plays Minh in Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở, said: “I believe our team will inspire other young filmmakers who want to pursue independent cinema and bring short films to theatres. Many young people are passionate but lack the confidence to realise their own projects.”

A scene from the short film ‘Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở’ (Close the Eye to See), directed by Irving Ly (Lý Chí Vỹ), is set to premiere on November 11 at Lotte Cinema Gò Vấp in Hồ Chí Minh City. Photo courtesy of KAO Entertainment

Actress Thùy Linh, who also appears in the film, said she had not expected Mắt Nhắm Mắt Mở to make it to cinemas. Working with a team of passionate young filmmakers brought a sense of ease and optimism.

“Their professionalism and dedication taught me a lot. I truly believe these young talents will continue to grow and thrive,” she said.

After their cinema run, Nghĩa Kao’s short films will be released on paid streaming platforms. While Việt Nam has yet to develop a strong subscription-based market for short films, several international partners have expressed interest in supporting their distribution. VNS