The Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), in partnership with the esteemed People’s Committee of Da Nang City, convened a press conference to graciously announce the upcoming 3rd Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III).
EXPANDED SCALE, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Building on the resounding success of its two previous editions and having been recognized among the Top 10 Cultural Events of 2023 and 2024 (by Sports and Culture Newspaper), DANAFF III will be held from June 29 to July 5, 2025, in Da Nang City. This year’s festival marks a significant expansion in scale, duration, and program diversity, now spanning five to seven official days of activities. The growth of the festival promises an even more exciting and enriching experience for all attendees. Over 100 films will be screened, a notable increase from the 46 movies featured in DANAFF I and 63 in DANAFF II, with an anticipated total of 200 screenings, compared to 100 last year. This diverse selection of films promises to cater to a wide range of cinematic tastes and interests, making DANAFF III a must-attend event for all film enthusiasts.
This year’s festival introduces new highlights within the program, particularly the inaugural ‘Panorama of Asian Cinema’ section. This unique section will showcase esteemed Asian films that have gained recognition at major international film festivals over the past year, along with exclusive premieres at DANAFF. In addition, this year also marks the introduction of the “Asian Film Critics’ Award” within the “Panorama of Asian Cinema” section.
DANAFF TALENTS – NURTURING PROMISING FILMMAKERS
DANAFF Talents serves as a prominent talent development platform dedicated to nurturing emerging filmmakers through an array of workshops, labs, and project mentoring opportunities. Among its key offerings are the “Acting Incubator” workshop, the “Project Market” and specialized Master Class aimed at providing aspiring creatives with a professional environment in which to learn, collaborate, and network with both local and international industry experts.
A noteworthy enhancement for this year’s edition is the inaugural “Project Market”, a key component of DANAFF Talents, which showcases two primary categories: Asian Art-house Film Projects and Vietnamese Genre Film Projects.
This inaugural event has garnered considerable interest from filmmakers both domestically and internationally, which underscores DANAFF’s evolving reputation as a creative and collaborative hub within the region. 14 exceptional projects have been carefully selected for comprehensive development.
The four-day program comprises pitching sessions and in-depth mentoring workshops facilitated by esteemed industry professionals, including: Mr Christian Jeune – Director of the Film Department and Deputy General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival; Mr Kim Min Young – Producer of “Exhuma”; Ms. Isabelle Glachant – Producer known for her work on Wang Xiaoshuai’s films, including Shanghai Dreams (Jury Prize – Cannes 2005), 11 Flowers, and Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes 2017); Mr Leonardo Haddad – Film Distributor recognized for global successes such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
The Project Market is further supported by prestigious regional film funds, which provide crucial resources to Vietnamese projects in their early stages of development. The Best Asian Art-house Project will be awarded an €8,000 grant from CNC (France’s National Center for Cinema), along with a three-month development residency through mylab – a Southeast Asian film incubator. Additionally, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) will honor the Best Vietnamese Genre Film Project with a $5,000 award.
The Acting Incubator continues to thrive with two levels of training – basic and advanced – crafted in partnership with Autumn Meeting, successfully attracting young acting talents from across the country. In this third edition, the introductory acting course will be conducted by the esteemed Korean instructor Lydia Park. At the same time, the advanced class will be led by internationally celebrated Japanese director Tada Junnosuke, a recipient of accolades in theater. This year’s program welcomes 50 participants from Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, featuring notable talents such as Juliet Bao Ngoc (Best Actress, DANAFF 2023), Ngoc Xuan, Do Nhat Hoang (There Was Once a Love Story), Thuy Duong (Glorious Ashes), and Tran Phong (Dreamy Eyes). Notably, this edition has seen the most significant participation from aspiring actors in Da Nang and Central Vietnam to date.
“HALF A CENTURY OF VIETNAMESE WAR FILMS” COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL REUNIFICATION
We are pleased to announce a flagship program of DANAFF III, highlighting a carefully curated showcase of 22 distinguished Vietnamese war-themed films in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of national reunification. In collaboration with the Viet Nam Film Institute, this program offers a nuanced cinematic exploration of war, featuring films produced since 1975 that have garnered recognition at both domestic and international film festivals, resonating deeply with Vietnamese audiences.
The screenings will be enriched by Q&A sessions and discussions with esteemed directors and actors from various generations who have made significant contributions to the genre. This curated collection not only sheds light on the diverse cinematic narratives surrounding war over the past five decades but also provides a thoughtful contrast to works created during the wartime era.
Additionally, we are hosting a dedicated seminar titled “The Legacy of Vietnamese War Cinema Since Reunification”, which aims to deliver a thorough evaluation of the artistic and historical significance of these films within the broader landscape of Vietnamese film history. We look forward to an engaging and enlightening experience for all attendees.
KOREAN CINEMA SPOTLIGHT
The Republic of Korea is honored to be the featured country in DANAFF III’s “Cinema Spotlight” program, showcasing a dynamic film industry that has achieved global recognition after navigating a series of challenges over the decades. This program, curated in collaboration with esteemed organizations such as the Korean Cultural Center in Vietnam, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), and the Korean Film Archive (KOFA), will present a carefully selected collection of 14 influential films that span from the 1960s to the present.
Under the thoughtful theme “Milestones in Korean Cinema”, the selection emphasizes the artistic innovation and cultural richness of Korean cinema. Notably, it includes three distinguished films by the acclaimed filmmaker Im Kwon-taek, which will be introduced to both Vietnamese audiences and international delegates.
In conjunction with the film screenings, a seminar titled “Korean Cinema: International success and Industrial insights” will facilitate focused discussions on film studies and the development strategies of the Korean film industry. Participants will include scholars from both international and Vietnamese institutions, as well as representatives from film studios, distributors, exhibitors, and film festival organizers, in addition to those involved in academic programs related to Korean cinema.
there are thematic and stylistic parallels between Vietnamese and Korean cinema from the 1960s to the 1970s, it is noteworthy that Korean cinema has achieved remarkable global progress since the 1990s. This seminar aims to provide valuable lessons and practical insights into regional film industries, fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration within the cinematic landscape.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY & CELEBRATING ASIAN CINEMA
In line with the esteemed tradition established by DANAFF II, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will recognize a distinguished Asian filmmaker whose remarkable contributions have significantly enriched the art of cinema.
DANAFF III is proud to uphold its hallmark events, which include:
– The Opening and Closing Ceremonies, broadcast live on VTV
– Two official competition sections featuring 14 films in the Asian Competition and 12 in the Vietnamese Competition
– A “Vietnamese Cinema Today” program that highlights 18 newly produced Vietnamese films.
With an expanding scope and a commitment to professionalism and creative excellence, DANAFF III aspires to provide audiences with engaging cinematic experiences while promoting dialogue and collaboration. Most importantly, the festival remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Asian filmmakers and cultivating a sustainable creative community to ensure the continued growth of regional cinema.
DANANG CENTER FOR TOURISM PROMOTION
