Impressions of the Third Danang Asian Film Festival

The third Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III) took place in Da Nang City from June 29 to July 5, 2025, attracting the attention of many domestic and regional filmmakers and film lovers. The festival ended with awards being presented and opened up many new opportunities for Vietnamese cinema.

Connecting Vietnamese cinema with the region

The Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DIFF) with the theme of Asian Bridge has fulfilled its mission of honoring cultural values, creating connections between cinemas in the region. This is demonstrated through a series of activities such as: Exhibition of impressive scenes shot in Da Nang City, focusing on Korean cinema; seminar on Developing and nurturing cinema talents; Imprints of Vietnamese war films since the country's reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) ... Through that journey, DANAFF III has created a connection between Vietnamese cinema and the region, bringing valuable lessons to filmmakers through the views and perspectives of international experts.

After each screening, the exchange activities with the film crew attracted many young people to participate.

PHOTO: SX

During the 7 days of organization (from June 29 to July 5), DANAFF III witnessed the participation of famous filmmakers from Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, China..., notably the participation of actors Park Sung Woong, Moon So Ri, Shantanu Maheshwari... In addition, the event was also accompanied by the French National Cinema Agency (CNC), the American Cinema Association (MPA), Mr. Kim Dong Ho - the "father" of the Busan International Film Festival. This year, the highlight of DANAFF III is the Asian Cinema Panorama program, which not only brings together award-winning projects at prestigious film festivals but also introduces works that are premiered internationally and globally. That not only shows the influence of the film festival but also opens up opportunities for domestic filmmakers to rub shoulders, learn and compete fairly.

Talent Incubation students at the event

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

From the perspective of a professional, People's Artist Nhu Quynh is happy that the Da Nang Asian Film Festival is increasingly expanding in scale, receiving the attention of a large audience even though it has only been held three times. "It is precious for us artists to return to the program with new works, to interact with international audiences and friends. The program is like an affirmation that Vietnamese films can also stand shoulder to shoulder with the region. Through the Film Festivals, domestic filmmakers must think and improve their works to be able to compete with other countries," People's Artist Nhu Quynh confided.

Speaking to Thanh Nien reporter, Ms. Martine Thérouanne, Director of the Vesoul International Film Festival for Asian Cinema, said that DANAFF is only in its third year, but has made a special impression on her. "At the age of 3, DANAFF is still like a child, but during that time, it has really developed a lot. I think that DANAFF will quickly affirm its position among the major film festivals in Asia," Ms. Martine Thérouanne expected.

One mission that the organizers of the third Da Nang Asian Film Festival aim for is to care about young human resources, through the Talent Nurturing workshop. With a team of experienced lecturers such as Ms. Lydia Park (Korea), director Tada Junnosuke (Japan)..., young people can learn acting experience and become more confident in themselves. Mr. Tada Junnosuke highly appreciates the progressive spirit and eagerness to learn of the students. The Japanese director affirmed: "I have faith and hope that they will become leaders of the Vietnamese film and art industry in the future".

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan at the third Danang Asian Film Festival

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

DANAFF III also provided opportunities for young filmmakers through the Talent Incubator. Not only were their projects introduced to them, they also received support from the French National Film Agency, the American Cinema Association, etc. During the closing ceremony, three awards for young filmmakers were announced. This is considered a stepping stone for filmmakers to continue their journey to bring their works to the big screen.

Expecting Da Nang to become a regional cinema center

During the 7 days of organization, DANAFF III not only played a role in elevating domestic and regional cinema, but also contributed significantly to introducing the image of friendly and hospitable Da Nang to international friends.

Truong Ngoc Anh at the closing event of DANAFF's Talent. Participating in the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, the actress was moved when sharing memories associated with the film Ao Lua Ha Dong.

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

Mr. Kim Dong Ho assessed that Da Nang has beautiful landscapes and a favorable location for promoting the film industry. According to him, this is a place that converges many favorable factors to become a film production center such as natural conditions and good climate. "Da Nang can not only become an ideal place for Vietnamese filmmakers, but also has the potential to attract international filmmakers to work here. It is important to maintain relationships with international film crews, cooperate, share equipment, techniques and experiences, so that Da Nang becomes a regional film center, and if done well, this will be a world film center," Mr. Kim Dong Ho commented.

The Vietnam Association for Cinema Promotion and Development and the People's Committee of Da Nang City have signed a memorandum of cooperation to organize the annual Da Nang Asian Film Festival from 2025 to the end of 2031. According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Association for Cinema Promotion and Development, Director of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF), Da Nang City is a solid foundation for the Da Nang Asian Film Festival to have more opportunities to develop in the future. "From now until 2031, we will meet every year in Da Nang, a beautiful coastal city that I think first-time visitors will love and want to come back," Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan shared.

The Da Nang Asian Film Festival is an opportunity for Vietnamese filmmakers and actors to meet and compete with other countries.

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

Vice Chairwoman of Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi said that the city is gradually building a creative cultural ecosystem, promoting the development of cultural industries, including cinema. "We also clearly realize that to develop cinema, it is indispensable to have support policies for the young generation of filmmakers, from training, international connections to creating production and distribution," Ms. Thi shared.

People are excited to watch movies outdoors

In 3 consecutive evenings (from June 30 to July 2) at Bach Dang walking street, Bien Dong park and the square in front of Hoa Khanh Ward Administrative Center, the Organizing Committee of DANAFF 3 selected and screened 3 films, including: Kaleidoscope: Catching and punishing the ghost, Dong Loc crossroads, a series of Korean animations ( including the films Ttobatto Dino survival, Hide and seek, Passion journey, Miraculous friendship, Cat is the master of the world ).

Outdoor cinema activities attract audience attention

PHOTO: SX

Van Hoang Duy Uyen (3rd year student of University of Economics - University of Danang) said that although in the digital age, movies can be quickly accessed on mobile devices, Uyen still likes the experience of watching movies outdoors. "I like sitting in the open air watching movies with everyone, especially the war movie Nga Ba Dong Loc. The feeling is very different from going to the cinema, as interesting as the old days when grandparents watched movies," Duy Uyen shared.

According to Mr. Tran Xuan Thang, Deputy Director of the Da Nang City Cultural and Cinema Center, the films screened outdoors within the framework of DANAFF III are carefully selected, rich in genre and content, aiming to serve a wide range of audiences. "The fact that the audience comes to watch every night shows the growing attraction of the Festival. Outdoor screenings are creating an open cinematic space, connecting the community in the heart of the city," Mr. Thang commented.

According to Thanh Nien reporters, free movie screenings at cinemas were also full. Many audiences proactively followed the showtimes and lined up early to get tickets, so more than 20,000 tickets were sold out in just 2 days. "This time, many Asian films with artistic depth were screened along with interaction activities with actors, so I was very excited to go to the cinema," said Ms. Thu Huong, residing in An Hai Ward (Da Nang City).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dau-an-lien-hoan-phim-chau-a-da-nang-lan-thu-ba-18525070600013764.htm