Following the remarkable achievements of previous editions, the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) is set to return, continuing to affirm its position as one of Vietnam’s most significant cinematic events and a vital cultural bridge connecting the seventh art across the region.
At a recent working session between the leadership of the Da Nang People’s Committee and the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), the plan for organizing DANAFF IV in 2026 was agreed upon with renewed expectations, promising a new and dynamic chapter for Vietnam’s creative industries.
With the theme “DANAFF – Bridging Asia to the World,” the festival is scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 4, 2026. More than a competition of cinematic works, the event represents a long-term strategy of transforming Da Nang into a modern cultural and tourism hub, where cinema serves as a bridge connecting diverse cultures.
The success of DANAFF III in 2025 has provided a solid foundation for the fourth edition to aspire toward higher international standards and greater professionalism.
In terms of scale, DANAFF IV is expected to welcome around 900 delegates, artists, and leading experts, including more than 200 international guests. The festival will continue to spotlight two major competitive sections: Asian In-Competition Films and the Vietnamese In-Competition Films.
The organizing committee plans to select 12 to 14 outstanding films from across the region and 8 to 12 representative Vietnamese feature films for competition. The award system is professionally structured with significant monetary value, with the Best Film Award in Asian In-Competition Film reaching up to VND 135 million, alongside multiple individual awards for directors, actors, and screenwriters ranging from VND 54–81 million, providing strong incentives for filmmakers to deliver high-quality works.
In the Vietnamese In-Competition Film category, the Best Film Award will carry a prize of VND 70 million. In addition, the presence of specialized awards such as NETPAC, Critics’ Awards, and the Audience Choice Award will further complete a comprehensive system honoring Vietnamese cinema at this edition.
The appeal of DANAFF 2026 extends beyond film screenings or the opening and closing ceremonies held at the Ariyana International Convention Palace. The depth of the festival lies in a dense series of professional activities that aim to shape the future development of Vietnam’s film industry in a new era.
For the first time, core issues such as intellectual property protection, the landscape of Vietnamese cinema over 40 years of Doi Moi era, and strategies for building a film industry ecosystem will be discussed in depth through specialized seminars. In parallel, programs such as the Project Market, advanced masterclasses with international experts will serve as vital incubators to discover and support emerging filmmakers, while creating practical opportunities for connections between producers and investors.
Alongside its academic and professional dimensions, DANAFF IV will maintain close engagement with the public through vibrant side events. Outdoor screenings, fan meetings with film stars, and the DANAFF’s Cinephiles community will help create a festival atmosphere that envelops the entire city. Notably, programs such as “Focus on American Cinema” a comprehensive "Panorama of Asian cinema", “Vietnamese Cinema Today,” and a curated selection of outstanding Vietnamese films from 40 years of renovation will offer diverse perspectives—allowing audiences to access global cinematic excellence while reflecting on the proud development journey of Vietnamese film.
From a strategic perspective, Pham Duc An, Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, emphasized that sustaining, enhancing, and elevating DANAFF is a way for Da Nang to demonstrate its capacity to host large-scale international events, while also promoting tourism through cinema—a sustainable trend successfully adopted by many cultural powerhouses worldwide.
With each edition, the image of a dynamic, creative, and hospitable Da Nang becomes increasingly imprinted in the minds of international friends, truly positioning the city as a “bridge” connecting the artistic values of Asia to the global stage.
