Developing mechanisms, policies and programmes to support film crews coming to Da Nang, creating a film-making space and developing quality human resources for cinema activities are important tasks for Da Nang to develop cinema into a spearhead cultural industry, contributing to beefing up its economy and enhancing its stature in the region.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen addresses the seminar on developing the film industry and building a favoirable film-making environment in Da Nang, May 10, 2023. Photo: X.D

The above-mentioned issues were raised by the delegates at the seminar on developing the film industry and building a favoirable film-making environment in Da Nang. The event was organised by the Da Nang People's Committee, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema on Wednesday, within the framework of the first Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2023 (DANAFF).

According to Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen, Da Nang identifies cinema as an effective advertising channel for the city's destination image and strongly contributes to economic development, especially tourism. So as to achieve this goal, the city has been making decisions to gradually lay the foundation for the development of the film industry.

Vice Chairwoman Yen emphasised that Da Nang always looks forward to welcoming domestic and international film crews to survey and choose Da Nang as the filming location.

The city will develop a programme to support film crews in the process of surveying, selecting shooting scenes, especially at accommodation and food establishments, and scenic spots, thereby creating a win-win mechanism and some special incentives to facilitate the development of manufacturers as well as supporting industries.

On the road to becoming the city of events and festivals, Da Nang shows off great potential to develop cinema into a spearhead cultural industry. As affirmed by Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports Ha Vy, Da Nang has rich experience as it has successfully organized many regional and international events.

Since the beginning of the year, the city has hosted the IRONMAN 70.3, DANAFF and the upcoming Da ang International Fireworks Festival. However, in order to build an turn itself into the city of events and festivals, and to develop cinema in particular, the city must create different and professional events. To do this, it is necessary to continue to improve the capacity of event organisation, actively linking units with capacity, experience and resources in order to create impressive and attractive events.

“As a management agency and advising the city on culture, we believe that DANAFF I will promote the conditions and potentials of Da Nang in terms of event organization, and cinema in particular, to filmmakers and artists. On that basis, heed will be paid to contributing to attracting film crews to Da Nang, creating opportunities for cooperation in production, expanding the film market, as well as contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Da Nang and Viet Nam at large”, said Vy.

Mr. Franck Priot, former CEO of Film France, French Film Commission said that Da Nang needs to have policies, open mechanisms and incentives to attract film crews, in tandem with forming a focal point to provide information and support various types of permits for film crews, building human resources and contexts to support film crews.

Also, it is a good idea to build a film school or short-term training classes to supplement quality human resources for film making activities.

In addition, it is necessary to promote the promotion of images and prominent places, and bring Da Nang's brand to the internet and social platforms targeting those who work in the field of cinema, thus gradually puting Da Nang on the world filmmaking map.

According to Chairman of the Viet Nam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema Ngo Phuong Lan, Da Nang boasts many advantages and potential for cinema development.

With future orientations, Da Nang will also become one of the three film centres in Viet Nam. The problem now is not to let the potential fall asleep. This journey is not simple when there are many difficulties that need removing from such changes related to mechanisms and policies, incentives for film crews, human resources.

However, with the strong determination and great efforts of the municipal government, such as promoting DANAFF I, Da Nang can build the film industry into a spearhead cultural industry.

“As a city worth coming and living, if Da Nang rolls out the red carpet for filmmakers, they will definitely come to the city one day. This time DANAFF is a new playground for filmmakers in Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, to continue pursuing their careers. We need to promote this beginning to move forward, step by step creating a more favourable and developing film-making environment in Da Nang in the future.”, said Mrs. Lan.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by A.THU