At the awards ceremony on the evening of 4/7, Sister-in-Law was named Best Vietnamese Film. The project also won Best Screenplay, Best Actress for Viet Huong, and the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award for Best Vietnamese Film.

Director Khuong Ngoc joyfully embraced his colleagues as his name was repeatedly called. He shared that he had always dreamed of receiving an award in filmmaking, and the DANAFF award made that dream a reality. The director thanked his colleagues, family, friends, and the audience, dedicating the award to them.

Sister-in-Law explores the theme of intergenerational conflict within a family with an all-female main cast, focusing on the relationship between a sister-in-law (Viet Huong) and her four sisters-in-law (Hong Dao, Dinh Y Nhung, Le Khanh, Ngoc Trinh). Each character has a unique personality and destiny, but they are all trapped in their tragedies.

Khuong Ngoc (center) on stage receiving the award. His real name is Huynh Quang Ngoc, 41 years old, born in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa. The actor made a name for himself with films like Taxi, The Guy Who Doesn't Get Jealous, and The Invisible Truth. In May, he began filming The Foreigner's Gold Bar, following the success of Sister-in-Law. Photo: Thanh Thuy

The Best Actor award went to Tuan Tran. He expressed surprise at being honored, given the other talented nominees like Quoc Huy and Huynh Lap.

Victor Vu was named Best Director for Detective Kien: The Headless Case. The film, marking his 20th year in filmmaking, blends detective and horror elements, Victor Vu's specialty.

The Jury's Special Prize went to Little Trang Quynh: The Legend of the Golden Taurus by director Trinh Lam Tung. The film blends historical and fantastical elements based on Vietnamese folklore. Some scenes are inspired by old anecdotes about Trang Quynh, including the story of the Pregnant Bull.

Actor Huynh Kien An, a jury member for the Vietnamese Film category, noted the quality of the 12 competing Vietnamese films and their appeal to the general audience. Most of the films achieved good box office results, such as The Billion Dollar Kiss (21.1 billion VND) and Getting Rich with Ghosts (12.8 billion VND). Horror was the dominant genre with five projects, reflecting audience preferences. However, the films went beyond mere entertainment, conveying messages about family and society, like Sister-in-Law and The Ancestral House.

While there were no separate awards for cinematography or production design, the visual aspects were among the jury's important criteria. "The jury members were free to comment on the projects from their perspectives, but there was a high consensus on the Best Vietnamese Film award. Meanwhile, the Jury's Special Prize went to an animated film, a challenging field in Vietnam, as encouragement for those pursuing this area," said actor Kien An.

In the Asian Film category, Rain on Butterfly Wings, directed by Duong Dieu Linh, received the Jury's Special Prize. The film blends humor and drama, showcasing culture, spirituality, and the plight of women, reflecting the filmmaker's empathy.

*List of awards at the 2025 Da Nang Asian Film Festival

The closing ceremony of the third Da Nang Asian Film Festival began at 8 p.m. with the song Dream of a Distant Traveler, the soundtrack from Cricket: The Adventure to Muddy Hamlet. The 90-minute program focused on acceptance speeches by the award winners, interspersed with musical performances. Earlier, from 6 p.m., many artists, including Kien An, Chieu Xuan, Victor Vu and Dinh Ngoc Diep, singer Phuong My Chi, and international actors, attended the red carpet in heavy rain.

The awards ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee Pham Dai Duong, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Le Hai Binh, and Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Committee Dinh Thi Mai.

International guests included Olivier Brochet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Vietnam, and Kanat Tumysh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Vietnam.

The third Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) was directed by the Da Nang People's Committee, organized by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in collaboration with the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA). Compared to the previous two seasons, the event was extended from five to seven days (29/6-5/7), and the number of films increased significantly to over 100 with 184 screenings at cinemas and free outdoor screenings.

In addition to the main competition categories, the organizers established a Critics Jury to select the best film in the Asian Cinema Panorama category. The festival featured professional activities such as seminars, discussions, artist exchanges, and a Young Actors Talent Incubator workshop, combined with visits to local historical sites and scenic spots. Some key programs included Half a Century of Vietnamese Cinema and Focus on Korean Cinema.

Chi Linh