At the seminar "Vietnamese and French Cinema: Opportunities for Cooperation," Mr. Mathieu Ripka, General Representative of the French Association of Authors, Directors, and Producers (ARP), expressed his hope that this year, a French-Iranian co-production was selected to represent France at the Oscars. He believes it is entirely possible to aim for a future where a Vietnamese-French co-production will also represent France at this prestigious award.
The speech by the ARP representative immediately received enthusiastic applause from Vietnamese and international filmmakers present at the seminar, within the framework of the "Vietnamese Film Week - Journey of Light" taking place at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France from December 4 to 13, 2025. This was one of the highlights of the program, contributing to expanding the space for in-depth exchange between filmmakers of the two countries on the development direction and international integration of Vietnamese cinema in the new context.
Vietnamese cinema is making significant strides. Vietnamese films are appearing more and more frequently at international film festivals; the young creative generation is maturing rapidly; and the domestic market is experiencing clear growth. Vietnam has also hosted influential film festivals in the region, such as the Hanoi International Film Festival and the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, gradually affirming its professional prestige.
In particular, in the strategy for developing cultural industries until 2030, the Government has identified film as one of the seven key industries, creating an important foundation for breakthroughs and stronger integration.
The Vietnamese delegation and international delegates and filmmakers at the "Vietnam Film Week - Journey of Light".
In this context, strengthening connections with developed film industries, with France being one of the most promising partners, is considered crucial for Vietnamese films to expand their market and enhance their international competitiveness. Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang affirmed that Vietnam-France exchanges are taking place in many fields, and the film industries of both countries are seeking increasingly effective avenues of cooperation to better serve the development of each side.
Mr. Mathieu Ripka emphasized that the "Vietnam Film Week - Journey of Light," with its diverse activities, will open up new collaborative connections between film organizations of the two countries, promoting the exchange of human resources and technology, as well as cooperation in production and distribution. This will contribute to enhancing the position of Vietnamese cinema on the world film map and developing sustainable cultural ties.
This expectation is further reinforced by the proactive integration spirit of Vietnam's creative team. Young director Le Binh Giang, who has participated in more than 20 international film festivals, expressed his desire to seek opportunities for collaboration in France—a country considered the cradle of many world-renowned filmmakers. He shared: "When creating together, cinema not only brings artistic value but also contributes to promoting Vietnamese culture, tourism, and image to international friends."
Many opinions at the seminar suggested that Vietnam possesses favorable conditions for forming a thriving film industry ecosystem, from human resources and market to supportive policies. Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), emphasized that 2025 will be a breakthrough year for the Vietnamese film market. Films like "Red Rain," "Underground Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness," and "Battle in the Air" achieved very high revenues and had long theatrical runs, with "Red Rain" alone reaching over 700 billion VND – a record for a Vietnamese film.
Furthermore, many independent films and young filmmakers have gained attention at international film festivals, reinforcing confidence in the new creative potential of Vietnamese cinema. The recent string of successes is creating momentum to attract more investors and production partners from Asia and around the world. Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan expects 2026 to mark an even stronger development, bringing about concrete and practical cooperation projects between Vietnam and France.
The ARP representative stated that France has a widespread distribution network and extensive experience in market exploitation. Promoting bilateral distribution will help French films reach Vietnamese audiences more easily, while also paving the way for Vietnamese films to conquer the French market and beyond.
These opportunities, along with the support of managers and professionals, are opening up new prospects for Vietnamese cinema's journey to the world stage. The aspiration for a Vietnamese-French co-production to compete for an Oscar, as suggested by the ARP Representative, is no longer a distant dream if cooperation strategies are effectively implemented in the near future.
