Having successfully organised the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) twice, the city continues to affirm itself as the leading event - festival destination in the region. In preparation for the third edition of DANAFF, the city has launched many activities to promote and advertise this film event, aiming to build it into a brand of Da Nang.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi (left) attends the programme ‘Viet Nam Night’ within the framework of the 29th Busan Film Festival in South Korea. Photo: T.L

Building a brand of a film city

In addition to the annual International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), the city’s hosting of DANAFF has created an impressive highlight, building another separate brand of Da Nang, contributing to promoting the city’s image to international friends, attracting more tourists and investors. This is one of the few international film festivals in Viet Nam that has left an impression and been highly appreciated by guests and the international press. The two editions of DANAFF received enthusiastic responses and praise from experts, both national and local management agencies, and the city’ people.

Filmmakers (directors, actors /actresses producers…) attending DANAFF highly appreciated and considered the DANAFF a prestigious award, marking a milestone in their careers. This affirms that DANAFF awards are gradually becoming the goal of Vietnamese filmmakers. At DANAFF II, renowned Vietnamese director Dang Nhat Minh, who won the Cinema Achievement Award, shared: “The award I received at DANAFF II is a profound highlight in my 60-year filmmaking career.”

DANAFF not only gathers and honors outstanding cinema works, but also creates a space to nurture and incubate talent - one of the important beginnings to establish a cinema ecosystem. According to the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, the success of DANAFF II once again affirmed the effective coordination between the Da Nang government and the Viet Nam Film Development Association. The film festival also contributes to promoting deep and effective international integration, bringing the image of Viet Nam, and Da Nang in particular, to regional and international friends.

To raise the level of the third festival, the cultural sector has proposed that the Da Nang People's Committee propose to the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider including film and individual awards in the official award system when considering the titles of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist, Ho Chi Minh Award, and State Award. At the same time, it should coordinate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance to consider and provide specific guidance on regulations on remuneration levels for judges at this film festival.

Looking forward to DANAFF III

Looking forward to DANAFF III, the city’s delegation led by Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi arrived in South Korea to attend the 29th Busan Film Festival, which took place from October 2 to 11, to introduce and promote DANAFF and share the development orientation of Da Nang’s cinema.

Through meetings and discussions with international friends, the Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee emphasised the message: “Through DANAFF and major international events and festivals, the city wishes to become a ‘bridge’ connecting Viet Nam cinema with Asian and world cinema, and a favourite destination for professionals, producers, and domestic and foreign film investors. Da Nang always welcomes filmmakers and friends”.

At the same time, it is said that with the beautiful landscapes favored by nature, Da Nang is considered a place with great attraction for filming activities and using the setting for film production projects. Therefore, the city has had support policies and created conditions to attract film crews to choose Da Nang as a filming location such as simplifying procedures, free entrance tickets to relics, scenic spots, preferential accommodation and culinary services…

Currently, the film studio construction project has been added to the project list in the Da Nang Master Plan until 2050 as approved by the Prime Minister. In addition, Resolution 136/2024/NQ15 of the National Assembly on the organisation of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for Da Nang also stipulates public-private partnership policies in the cultural field; facilitating the mobilisation of social resources to develop cultural industries, especially cinema.

In the coming time, the city will focus on policy planning to provide maximum support and promote the promotion strategy to film crews in a synchronous and effective manner; continue to mobilize local businesses, especially accommodation and culinary establishments, tourist areas and spots to contribute to creating a mutually beneficial mechanism and some special incentive mechanisms for film producers.

“We believe that in the near future, the city will not only be the ‘Asian Bridge’ but will also become a film studio for other countries, contributing to promoting and attracting international tourists through DANAFF and movies filmed in Da Nang”, Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi emphasised.

The third Da Nang Asian Film Festival will take place from June 29 to July 5, 2025. Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Film Development Association Ngo Phuong Lan said that, in 2025, DANAFF III will open a project market, a starting point to support and foster young film talents from Viet Nam, and Asia as a whole.

The DANAFF Organising Committee is making efforts to connect with investment funds and successful businessmen to build a talent support fund. This is a new point, hoping to contribute to promoting young filmmakers to soon realise their films.

Also in DANAFF III, besides the two main categories of Asian and Vietnamese films, other highlights will include the introduction of selected South Korean films, this foreign country’s experiences to achieve international success and the granting of the Film Achievement Award to an outstanding South Korean director.

Reporting by X.DUNG - Translating by A.THU