The first Da Nang Asian Film Festival is expected to promote the integration and development of Da Nang's cinema, affirming the city as Asia’s top destination of festivals. (Photo: VNA) The 1st DANAFF, held in the central coastal city of Da Nang from May 9-13, isorganised by the People's Committee of Da Nang, the Vietnam Association of FilmPromotion and Development (VFDA), the Da Nang’s Department of Culture andSports in collaboration with other relevant departments.
According to Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee, Ngo Thi Kim Yen,the 1st DANAFF selects and honours excellent cinematographic works rich inhuman values with new discoveries and unique artistic expression.
The event is planned to be held annually to encourage emerging talents in both Vietnamand the Asia-Pacific region and widely introduce to the public new andhigh-value Vietnamese and Asian films, she added.
"Through the film festival, we hope to continue to create a world-classbrand and event in the field of cinematography that will promote theintegration and development of Da Nang cinema, affirming the city as Asia’s topdestination of festivals," she said.
“It is hoped to connect and offer an opportunity for artists in general, andfilmmakers in particular, to exchange experience and ideas for the developmentof Vietnamese cinema. It is a special film festival dedicated to artenthusiasts.”
The highlight of the 5-day event is the competition of films in two categories- the Asian film award category and the Vietnamese film award category.
The entries of the Asian film award category will be judged by film actress,director and screenwriter Moon Sori from the Republic of Korea, Vietnameseactress Nhu Quynh, Vietnamese director Phan Dang Di, Kazakhstan film directorAdilkhan Yerzhanov, and Vice President Communications, Asia Pacific · MotionPicture Association, Stephen Jenner.
Vietnamese film Children of the Mist included in the top 15 for BestDocumentary Feature Film of the 95th Oscar Academy Awards, will compete in thecategory along with 11 other entries like Joyland from Pakistan or Muru fromNew Zealand. The winner of this category will receive 5,000 USD.
Director Victor Vu will evaluate the second category as Chairman of the Jury,which also includes Vietnamese actress Lan Hương, Thai film director AdityaAssarat, Indonesian film producer Yulia Evina Braha, and screenwriter TranKhanh Hoang.
The second category features eight Vietnamese outstanding films produced from2021 to early 2023 like Em và Trinh (You and Trịnh), Memento Mori: Earth and DemToi Ruc Ro (The Brilliant Darkness). The best film will be awarded 70 million VND(2,900 USD).
The festival's non-competition category will include the programme Today’sVietnamese Cinema screening of 16 Vietnamese films produced from 2020 to 2022,the screening programme Japanese Cinema Spotlight, and the screening of fourfilms about Da Nang and two about Vietnam.
Besides 12 official awards of two main categories, DANAFF will also grantNETPAC Award for excellent Vietnamese film which is decided by the NETPAC(Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Jury, and the Audience’s ChoiceAward for Favourite Vietnamese Film voted by the audience participating in thescreenings of Today’s Vietnamese Cinema programme.
Other exciting activities within the framework of the 1st DANAFF include athree-night outdoor film screening at APEC Park, conferences with the themesDeveloping Film Industry – Building a Favourable Filmmaking Environment in DaNang, and Japanese Cinema – Successful Experience and Direction of Cooperationwith Vietnamese Cinema.
The “Talent Incubator” workshop will offer basic and advanced acting classes forstudents selected via casting rounds in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City guided byforeign experts.
For more information about the 1st DANAFF, please visit danaff.vn./.
VNA
