Within the framework of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) carried out a series of promotional activities to introduce Vietnamese cinema to international audiences. Through seminars, the national pavilion, and bilateral meetings, VFDA not only presented a comprehensive picture of the current landscape of Vietnamese cinema but also fostered international cooperation opportunities, paving the way for the sustainable development of the industry in the coming period.
Vietnamese Cinema at BIFF 2025
Vietnamese cinema continues to affirm its remarkable growth on the regional cinematic map with its presence in several key sections of this year’s Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
Specifically, two Vietnamese films were selected for screening: Ky Nam Inn by director Leon Lê – following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival – will be featured in the A Window on Asian Cinema section; and Bride of the Covenant by director Lê Văn Kiệt – released nationwide on September 12 – will participate in the Midnight Passion section dedicated to horror and thriller films.
Furthermore, the project Flying Cows by director Nguyễn Phạm Thành Đạt and producer Nguyễn Hữu Thị Tường Vi, which won the “Best Genre Film for Vietnamese Project” Award at the Project Market 2025 under DANAFF Talents (the 3rd Da Nang Asian Film Festival), along with a prize of USD 5,000 from the Motion Picture Association (MPA), has officially been selected among the 30 projects of the Asian Project Market at BIFF 2025.
In total, Vietnam is represented by two films and one film project at this year’s BIFF, a compelling testament to the new strides of Vietnamese cinema on the international stage.
VFDA actively promotes filming locations and Vietnam’s filmmaking environment
Within the framework of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema (VFDA), in cooperation with BHD Co., Ltd., inaugurated the Vietnamese Cinema Pavilion. This was a key highlight, offering international audiences a panoramic view of the dynamic transformation of Vietnamese cinema within the broader landscape of regional and global cinema.
The pavilion introduced the Production Attraction Index (PAI) – a pioneering tool to assess how attractive Vietnamese localities are for international film crews. Alongside this were showcases of unique filming locations in Da Nang, Ninh Binh, Quang Ninh, and other provinces, which have increasingly become “open studios” for international productions. The initiative also underscored Vietnam’s immense potential in developing film tourism.
Importantly, the pavilion also featured updates on the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF), with its key programs: competition sections, DANAFF Talents – including the Project Market, Acting Workshop, and Masterclasses with renowned filmmakers. These highlights allowed international professionals to gain deeper insights into this international film event hosted in Vietnam, as well as its initiatives in networking, training, and nurturing young talent.
Looking beyond this year, VFDA also revealed plans to expand submissions for both competition sections and the Project Market of DANAFF IV (2026), affirming its long-term vision and commitment to supporting the sustainable growth of Vietnamese cinema on the global stage.
In addition, the pavilion showcased several highly anticipated new Vietnamese film projects: Hộ linh tráng sĩ – Bí ẩn mộ vua Đinh (The Last Secret Of The First Emperor) and Saigon Oppa (a Vietnam-Korea co-production). These works represent both the trend of international collaboration and the growing diversity of storytelling in Vietnamese cinema.
Seminar “Heartbeat of Vietnamese Cinema – Introduction of Promising Projects”
As part of BIFF 2025, the seminar “Heartbeat of Vietnamese Cinema – Introduction of Promising Projects” was co-organized by VFDA and BHD, attracting the participation of numerous international guests and Vietnamese delegates. Distinguished attendees included H.E. Vũ Hồ – Ambassador of Vietnam to the Republic of Korea, Dr. Ngô Phương Lan – Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema (VFDA), Ms. Đoàn Phương Lan – Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, and Mr. Park Kwang Su – Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival.
The seminar focused on highlighting key figures and trends in the growth of Vietnamese cinema, as well as the role of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) within the regional context.
The panel discussion featured leading filmmakers such as director Phan Đăng Di (Founder of Autumn Meeting), producer Trần Thị Bích Ngọc, producer Nguyễn Hữu Thị Tường Vi (CJ CGV Vietnam), producer Nguyễn Phạm Hoàng Quân (CEO, ProductionQ), and producer Kim Dae Seung (producer of Leaving Mom). They shared diverse perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of co-production and international collaboration between Vietnam and Korea.
In his remarks, Mr. Park Kwang Su – Chairman of BIFF – emphasized: “Vietnam has an abundance of talented professionals, fully capable of developing a strong and independent film industry, faster than anywhere else.”
Ambassador Vũ Hồ highlighted cinema as “a bridge connecting the past, present, and future, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Korea friendship.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Ngô Phương Lan underlined the significant progress of Vietnamese cinema over the past decade in terms of revenue, artistic quality, and the emergence of young talent. She reaffirmed VFDA’s contributions through initiatives such as the Production Attraction Index (PAI) and DANAFF – a festival which, in just three editions, has quickly established its reputation in the region. At the seminar, the 4th edition of DANAFF (DANAFF IV) was officially announced (expected to be scheduled for June 28 – July 4, 2026), with international competition sections and two special programs: “Vietnamese Cinema in 40 Years of Renovation (1986–2026)” and “Focus on American Cinema.”
The seminar also introduced the project The Last Secret Of The First Emperor, a historical epic directed by Nguyễn Phan Quang Bình, with cinematography by Nguyễn Phan Linh Đan, set for release in 2026. The film, deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural heritage, is expected to bring new momentum to the country’s historical cinema genre. The session also welcomed the film’s lead actress, Đỗ Thị Hải Yến, and costume designer Mai Lam, who shared insights into the creative process and distinctive features of the project.
Another highlight was Saigon Oppa, a commercial film targeting a broad audience, directed by Korean filmmaker Park Gyu Tae. Co-produced by BHD (Vietnam), Film Line (Korea), and WebTVAsia, the film is slated for release in 2026. This trilateral collaboration reflects the growing depth of Vietnam-Korea film cooperation, while opening new prospects for diverse international partnerships in the years ahead.
The seminar not only offered a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s film industry but also reaffirmed the country’s increasingly solid position on the Asian cinema map, with significant opportunities for international cooperation in the near future
