The 17th National Film Festival jury is struggling to choose its Best Actress from 19 nominees.

Among the candidates, only a few names, such as Thu Ha in Nhin Ra Bien Ca, (Looking to the Sea), Hai Yen in Canh Dong Bat Tan (Floating Lives) and My Duyen in Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai (Crossing Shanghai Port), will be familiar to cinema lovers.

The remainder is made up of amateur actresses, models and singers and includes the fresh new face of 12-year-old Phung Hoa Hoai Linh in Tam Hon Me, (Mother’s Heart).

One of the most significant names on the list belong to Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc, nominated for her part as Nuong in Floating Lives for which she won a Golden Kite Best Actress Award alongside the favourite actress prize for best foreign film at China’s Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers film festivals earlier this year.

The role of Nhat Kim Anh in Long Thanh Cam Gia Ca (The Song about a Musician in Thang Long Citadel) has also topped the list. The Thanh Hoa-born actress won the Best Actress Prize at the first International Film Festival in Hanoi last year despite criticism for being immature.

“We will hold our breath until the final result is announced during the closing ceremony this Saturday,” said a cinema fan from the central province of Phu Yen./.