The country’s leading filmmakers Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp, Hồng Ánh, Phan Đăng Di, Trịnh Đình Lê Minh and Leon Lê (from second left to right) are judges for the contest “CJ Short Film Making Project” 2019. Photo courtesy of CGV Vietnam

HCM CITY – A short filmmaking contest aiming to bring works by Vietnamese filmmakers to top international film festivals has been launched in HCM City.

Vietnamese residents aged 18-40 are encouraged to send their entries to the contest “CJ Short Film Making Project” 2019 by May 18 at https://duanphimngancj.cgv.vn. 

Eligible entries include a short film made in the last three years, an outline for new film project and a detailed plan for filmmaking.

The judges, consisting of the country’s leading filmmakers Phan Đăng Di, Hồng Ánh, Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp, Leon Lê and Trịnh Đình Lê Minh, will choose the best five projects to receive funding.

Each contestant will receive VNĐ300 million (US$12,920) for filmmaking, which will take place from June 24 to November 24.

They will be also mentored by judges during the filmmaking process to ensure that their films meet qualifications for competing in international film festivals.

Director Di, head of the judging board, said: “The project aims to bring Vietnamese films to top international film festivals.”

The two winners, to be announced in January, will receive a scholarship for a filmmaking course with Vietnamese-born French director Trần Anh Hùng as part of the Autumn Meeting event, an annual international cinema programme providing opportunities for young filmmakers in the region.

Hùng was an Oscar nominee and Cannes Camera d’Or winner in 1993 for the Scent of Green Papaya. He directed the 2010 adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s hit novel Norwegian Wood and Eternity (2016).

Last year, the first season of the contest received more than 250 entries. It saw winning films Một Khu Đất Tốt (Blessed Land) by Phạm Ngọc Lân, Hãy Thức Tỉnh và Sẵn Sàng (Wake Up and Ready) by Phạm Thiên Ân, Ngọt, Mặn (Sweet, Savoury) by Dương Diệu Linh, and Balô Hồng (Pink Backpack) by Chu Ánh Nguyệt.

The 19-minute black-and-white film Một Khu Đất Tốt was nominated in the Berlinale Shorts category at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Lân and other films will be screened for the public at CGV Art House after the works compete at international festivals. – VNS