Vietnamese Short Film Competition 2025: Many opportunities for young filmmakers

The Vietnam Short Film Contest with the theme Vietnamese 2025 is organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper in collaboration with the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association and Sandisk Vietnam, with the support of Gigamall Vietnam and Beta Group. The contest announcement ceremony was held at Saigon International University, Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of May 23.

Many young people were present at the contest announcement ceremony.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Continue to open up many opportunities for young filmmakers

The Vietnam Short Film Competition aims to create a prestigious and quality playground for young filmmakers, new screenwriters and content creators who are passionate about cinema. With the desire to find and introduce outstanding young talents, the competition is not only a place for excellent short films to reach the public, but also a first step to help nurture and spread the passion for creating cinema among young people.

This year, the competition has expanded the documentary category, as well as expanding the participants to include Vietnamese citizens and foreigners living and working legally in Vietnam (aged 15 and over). The organizers also created quite comfortable conditions by allowing contestants to be directors or screenwriters to use works that have been made within the last 3 years and have not won any awards in any film competitions or festivals.

The jury of the final round includes director Nguyen Quang Dung, director Ly Hai, producer Bui Quang Minh (Minh Beta), producer Thu Trang, journalist Lam Hieu Dung. And the chairman of the jury is Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan (Chairman of the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema).

Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee, spoke at the announcement ceremony of the Vietnam Short Film Contest - Vietnamese 2025

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Speaking at the ceremony, journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan - Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, Head of the contest's organizing committee, said: "In the midst of a vibrant market with many playgrounds for young people who love cinema, we created and maintained the Vietnamese short film contest with the theme Vietnamese , including all content permitted by the Cinema Law, related to the country and people of Vietnam, with the desire to bring more opportunities for young people and students who are pursuing their passion for creative cinema to reach their dreams...".

The organizers believe that with the support of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association and the encouragement of the leaders of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, the contest will become a playground with better professional value, spread more strongly, truly inspire the filmmaking community, especially young filmmakers, contribute to the development of the film industry, in line with the strategy of sustainable cultural and artistic development of Vietnam.

Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan hopes to introduce winning works at the 2026 Da Nang Asian Film Festival.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Right from the preliminary round, short films that meet the quality will be selected to be published in Thanh Nien Newspaper. After that, 20 short films selected for the final round will be published on Thanh Nien Newspaper's digital platforms, including the YouTube channel with more than 6 million subscribers. At the same time, Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan hopes that the works that win high prizes will be introduced at the 2026 Asian Film Festival.

The contest will accept entries from May 23 to July 7, 2025. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in August in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Secret to Making a Compelling Short Film

According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, short films play an important role, being the first step for filmmakers to develop. She gave the example of director Tran Anh Hung who started with Nguoi Thieu Phu Nam Xuong or director Bui Thac Chuyen with Cuoc xe dem . Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan shared more: “Sometimes because they have to follow the market, because of the box office factor, filmmakers use tricks to attract customers. But with short films, we try to maintain professional standards. To be remembered, there must be something unique, we tell our story in a way that people have never told it before.”

Sitting on the judge's chair, Thu Trang hopes to convey the message "dare to think, dare to do" to young people.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Meanwhile, Thu Trang believes that having an idea and identifying a wealthy audience is something that a filmmaker needs to pay attention to. She gives an example of making a short film for young people, the filmmaker needs to have a good script that is close to this group of viewers. “For example, if I want to conquer young audiences, I make Nu hon bac bien, inviting beautiful young people to tell their romantic love stories. But if I want to conquer a family audience, I make Con Nhót mot chong .”

Investor Minh Beta said that when he was a judge for the Vietnam Short Film Competition, he also set his own criteria. In addition to the quality of the script, he also evaluated the message that the work brought as well as the ability to reach the market. "Short films are a necessary step if we want to conquer the long-term path of cinema. I believe that the ability of young people can absolutely do great things," he expressed his hope.

Director Minh Beta advised young filmmakers to “try to take advantage of the opportunities you have”. The judge added: “Because our foundation when we first start a job is limited. To be able to conquer higher levels, it is important to meet, try and know what is right and what is wrong. Through that, we can evaluate ourselves whether we have talent or not, or what additional factors are needed to make our talent shine”.

Main sponsor and accompanying unit of the competition

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuoc-thi-phim-ngan-viet-nam-vietnamese-2025-nhieu-co-hoi-cho-nha-lam-phim-tre-185250523201959686.htm