Delegates launch the competition. — Photo Anh Vũ/VFDA

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese filmmakers are invited to take part in the short film competition titled Hiền tài hôm nay (Talents of Today), launched to celebrate the 950th anniversary of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature Complex), Việt Nam’s first national university and a long-standing symbol of learning and scholarship.

The contest is organised by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) in collaboration with the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports and the Temple of Literature's Cultural and Scientific Activities Centre as part of the capital's commemorative activities marking the historic milestone from 1076 to 2026.

Talents of Today aims to honour Việt Nam's scholarly traditions while inspiring young intellectuals to pursue creativity, innovation and social responsibility in the modern era.

Organisers said the contest encourages younger generations to engage with cultural heritage through contemporary storytelling, exploring themes of education, teachers, knowledge, creativity and serving to society.

Eligible entries may focus on one or more themes, including young people's aspirations for learning and self-improvement, the image of teachers past and present, outstanding individuals in education and research, the role of knowledge in the digital age, and today's generation carrying forward Việt Nam's academic traditions.

President of the Việt Nam Film Development Association Ngô Phương Lan speaks at the event. — Photo Anh Vũ/VFDA

Vietnamese citizens living both at home and abroad are eligible to participate, with organisers especially encouraging submissions from young people aged 15 and above.

The competition accepts fiction, documentary and animated films, or hybrid works combining these genres.

Films must run between three and 15 minutes and be produced in Full HD or higher quality in either horizontal or vertical format.

Participants are allowed to use AI tools in the creative process, provided AI-generated content accounts for less than 20 per cent of the total running time.

Entries must be submitted between May 13 and August 10, 2026, either through the contest's online submission form or via email. Submitted works must not have been entered into other competitions and must comply with copyright regulations and Vietnamese cultural standards.

In addition to the competition, organisers plan to host a seminar titled 'Talents in the Digital Era' in August, bringing together educators, filmmakers, policymakers and young creators to discuss the role of talent and creativity in the digital age.

The contest offers one first prize worth VNĐ50 million (US$1,900), two second prizes worth VNĐ30 million each, three third prizes worth VNĐ20 million each, and five consolation prizes worth VNĐ10 million each.

Additional awards for Best Creative Idea and Most Loved Film will also be presented.

Contestants can submit their entries via the competition’s official email address at cuocthi.hientaihomnay@gmail.com, or directly to the office of the VFDA at 32 Hào Nam Street, Building A, Việt Nam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism, Ô Chợ Dừa Ward, Hà Nội. — VNS