Following three successful editions that have left a strong mark on the regional film landscape, the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV) is set to return from June 28 to July 4, 2026, with an expanded scale, more in-depth professional activities, and a clear orientation toward promoting the international integration of Vietnam’s film industry.
DANAFF là liên hoan phim duy nhất tại Việt Nam được tổ chức thường niên theo tiêu chuẩn quốc tế từ năm 2023. Qua ba mùa tổ chức, sự kiện đã từng bước khẳng định vị thế là một liên hoan phim chuyên nghiệp, uy tín trong khu vực. Năm nay, DANAFF IV được tổ chức trong 7 ngày liên tục với quy mô mở rộng, tăng cường các hoạt động chuyên môn, đào tạo, kết nối và phát triển điện ảnh. Khóa nâng cao nghiệp vụ viết kịch bản Script Lab sẽ bắt đầu từ ngày 26/6/2026.
DANAFF IV – Bridging Asia to the World
At a working session between the leadership of Da Nang City People’s Committee and the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), key plans for DANAFF IV were agreed upon with the shared ambition of further establishing the festival as a prestigious cinematic event in the region, while promoting Da Nang as an emerging center of culture, tourism, and creativity in Vietnam.
Under the slogan “Bridging Asia to the World,” this year’s festival is not only a platform for outstanding cinematic works but also aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable film ecosystem, creating opportunities for producers, directors, actors, industry experts, and investors from Vietnam and abroad to connect and collaborate.
According to the plan, DANAFF IV is expected to welcome approximately 900 delegates, artists, and film professionals, including more than 200 international guests. The festival will continue to feature its two main competition sections: the Asian In-Competition Program and the Vietnamese In-Competition Program, with approximately 12–14 Asian films and 8–12 Vietnamese feature films selected for competition.
The Organizing Committee has also developed a prize system with both professional prestige and significant economic value to encourage filmmakers to invest in high-quality productions. The award for Best Asian Film is valued at VND 135 million, while awards for directing, acting, and screenwriting range from VND 54 million to VND 81 million. In the Vietnamese competition section, the Best Vietnamese Film award carries a prize of VND 70 million. In addition, the NETPAC Award, Film Critics Award, and Audience Choice Award will continue to contribute to the festival’s diverse recognition of cinematic achievements.
A notable new feature of DANAFF IV is the expansion of academic and industry-focused activities. For the first time, topics such as intellectual property rights protection, The Face of Vietnamese Cinema During the Đổi Mới Era, and strategies for developing a sustainable film industry ecosystem will be discussed through a series of specialized seminars.
Furthermore, activities including the Workshop & Project Market, advanced training sessions with international experts, and the DANAFF Talents program are expected to serve as incubators for emerging filmmakers while creating practical connections between film projects and potential investors.
Beyond its professional focus, DANAFF IV will continue its mission of bringing cinema closer to the public through a variety of community-oriented activities, including outdoor screenings, artist-audience exchanges, the DANAFF’s Cinephiles program, and thematic showcases dedicated to Asian cinema, American cinema, and contemporary Vietnamese cinema.
The continued development and elevation of DANAFF is considered an important step in Da Nang’s strategy for advancing its cultural industries. Through cinema, the city not only promotes its image as a dynamic, creative, and welcoming destination, but also gradually affirms its capacity to host large-scale international cultural events, contributing to tourism development and fostering cultural exchange within the region and around the world.
ANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
