Nominations for feature films were announced during the introduction event for the 24th Vietnam Film Festival on the afternoon of 20/11 in Ho Chi Minh City. 'Red Rain' (directed by Dang Thai Huyen) is among the highly anticipated films, having achieved a record-breaking revenue of over 700 billion VND for Vietnamese cinema. Alongside 'Tunnels' (directed by Bui Thac Chuyen), 'Red Rain' confirms the appeal of the war-history genre, after years of being considered niche by audiences.

The category also features many high-grossing works from the past 2 years, such as 'Mai,' 'The Vengeful Quartet' (both directed by Tran Thanh), 'Detective Kien' (Victor Vu), 'Billion-Dollar Kiss' (Thu Trang), and 'Aerial Deathmatch' (Ham Tran). Several directors have films competing at the event for the first time, including Khuong Ngoc with 'Sister-in-law' and Huynh Lap with 'Ancestral House.'

State-commissioned projects remain unknowns at the film festival. 'Vang Trang Tho Au' (directed by Ho Ngoc Xum) tells the story of President Ho Chi Minh's childhood, set from 1895-1901, when he and his family first moved to Hue. 'Thanh Am Vuot Dai Duong' recreates a part of the resistance against France from 1945-1954, when revolutionary soldiers were imprisoned in Con Dao prison.

Do Nhat Hoang (right) and Steven Nguyen - two actors from 'Red Rain.' Photo: Film crew provided

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong, head of the program steering committee, stated that revenue is only one part of the judging criteria. The jury will also balance artistic content, reflection of contemporary trends, and life philosophies.

For this festival, Ho Chi Minh City returns as host after 10 years. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, said the event holds great significance as the city was recently recognized by UNESCO as Southeast Asia's first "city of cinema." She hopes the festival will spread pride and love for films to the public, asserting the position of Vietnamese cinema in the region.

The event begins with a photo exhibition, 'Ho Chi Minh City Rises with the Nation through a Cinematic Lens,' on the morning of 21/11. The opening ceremony will be held on the evening of the same day at the outdoor area of the Reunification Hall, Independence Palace. Organizers also invited experts to participate in workshops on topics such as developing the film industry and solutions to attract film crews to localities.

On the evening of 23/11, the 'Music and Fashion Show in Film' program will take place on Nguyen Hue Walking Street. During the five-day festival, audiences can also watch many films screened for free at three major cinema complexes, starting with 'Red Rain.' The festival concludes with the closing ceremony on the evening of 25/11 at the Military Theater, Ho Chi Minh City.

A representative of the organizing committee announced that the account of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City will be posted at each event, calling on artists and guests to support people in the Central region in overcoming flood consequences.

The festival is organized by the Cinema Department and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism every 2 years. The program aims to honor works that embody national identity, possess humanistic values, show creative marks, and celebrate film artists with outstanding artistic achievements. In 2021, 'Mat Biec' (Dreamy Eyes) - a work by Victor Vu adapted from Nguyen Nhat Anh's novel of the same name - received the highest award. In 2023, 'Tro Tan Ruc Ro' (Glorious Ashes) - directed by Bui Thac Chuyen - won a series of important awards.

Mai Nhat