Da Nang (VNA) – The fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV) concluded on July 4 after seven days of screenings, industry events and cultural exchanges, with Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attending the closing and awards ceremony.
This year's festival featured more than 100 films from 30 countries and territories, nearly 200 screenings, over 1,000 delegates and guests, including almost 300 international participants, and attracted tens of thousands of moviegoers.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Association for Promotion and Development of Cinema and Festival Director, said over four editions, DANAFF has steadily established itself as a bridge connecting Vietnamese and Asian cinema with international audiences while creating new opportunities for Vietnam's film industry to integrate more deeply into the global market.
One of the major additions to this year's festival was the launch of DANAFF Talents, a professional development programme featuring a Project Incubator, Script Lab, Master Classes, acting workshops and the inaugural DANAFF Industry Days. The initiatives were designed to nurture emerging filmmakers, connect promising projects with investors and partners, and expand international cooperation in the film industry.
Another highlight was the programme "The Face of Vietnamese Cinema in the Doi Moi (Renewal) Era," which reviewed four decades of Vietnamese cinema's development since the country's reforms began. The programme celebrated the achievements of generations of filmmakers while exploring new directions for the country's film industry as it continues to integrate internationally.
Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, who also headed the festival's organising committee, described DANAFF IV as one of the city's most significant cultural events. She said the festival's screenings, panel discussions, seminars and networking activities demonstrated that cinema is not only an art form but also a creative industry and an effective vehicle for cultural exchange and promoting Vietnam and Da Nang to international audiences.
She added that Da Nang aims to further strengthen its reputation as a regional hub for cultural exchange and major events, while fostering the growth of cultural industries and encouraging future international film collaborations.
At the awards ceremony, the Best Vietnamese Film award went to Hijacked (Tu Chien Tren Khong), directed by Tran Quang Ham of the People's Public Security Cinema. The Jury Special Prize was awarded to the animated film “Fish, Fists and Ambergri” (Truy Tìm Long Dien Huong), directed by Duong Minh Chien, who won the Best Director prize.
Thai Hoa received the Best Actor award for his performance in Hijacked, while Viet Huong was named Best Actress for My Little Grandma (Cuc Vang Cua Ngoai).
The Best Screenplay award went to The Fatal (Bay Tien). The Audience Award for Favourite Vietnamese Film was presented to Meet Me at the Eclipse (Hen Em Ngay Nhat Thuc), while Red Rain (Mua Do) received the NETPAC Award.
In the Asian Film Competition, the Best Asian Film award went to India's Full Plate, presented by Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Da Nang Party Secretary Le Ngoc Quang. The Jury Special Prize went to the Japanese film Numb, directed by Takuya Uchiyama.
The Best Screenplay Award was presented to Chinese screenwriter Zhuo Kai-luo for Poor Taxi. Turkish actor Caner Cindoruk won Best Actor for Salvation, while Indian actress Kirti Kulhari claimed Best Actress for Full Plate. Turkish director Emin Alper received the Best Director award for Salvation, and Bangladeshi director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's When the Palm Trees Fell won the Critics' Award./.
