Vietnam Film Festival kicks off in Quang Ninh

The 18th Vietnam Film Festival, ‘Vietnam’s Cinematography: Nationalism, Humanity, Creativity, Integration’, began on October 14 at the Tuan Chau tourist site in the northern port city of Ha Long.

A performance at the opening ceremony

Speaking at the opening, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh noted that the Vietnam Film Festival has become one of the most appreciated cinema events in the country, serving as a forum for producers, actors and actresses to increase the professionalism in producing and promoting their works.

He also hailed the achievements of Vietnam’s revolutionary cinematography, which has always accompanied national construction and development, from the fierce days during wartime to the country’s present stage of integration.

The sector has made significant progress on raising the people’s awareness while serving as a useful way to promote the land, people and culture of Vietnam to international friends, he added.

This year’s event received 139 submissions, more than in previous years, including 23 feature films, 6 short films, 10 celluloid documentaries, 62 video documentaries, 12 scientific films and 26 animated films. One Golden Lotus award, two Silver Lotus awards and two Jury Prizes will be presented in each category.

There will also be sub-awards to honour best directors, screenwriters, composers, leading actors and actresses, supporting actors and actresses, camera operators, and sound engineers.

The opening ceremony featured documentaries on the establishment and development of Vietnamese revolutionary cinematography since President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree to form Vietnam’s cinema sector in 1953.

From encouraging a fighting spirit and patriotism among Vietnamese people during the two resistance wars against France and the US, the sector has broadened in categories, technologies and topics to reflect the current pace of life, the people’s aspirations and the efforts made to build and develop the motherland asthe country enters a new phase of development.

The sector has also seen more positive participation from private film studios, which have brought a fresh and vibrant appearance to Vietnamese cinematography.

The opening ceremony also featured excerpts from Vietnam’s outstanding cinematic works, such as Chung Mot Dong Song (Sharing the Same River), Canh Dong Hoang (The Fallow Field) and Bao Gio Cho Den Thang Muoi (When October Comes), accompanied by dance performances by artists of the Vietnam Music, Song and Dance Theatre.