Vietnamese cinema makes impressive return at Tokyo International Film Festival

Within the framework of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), Japan, on October 29, the Vietnam Association for the Promotion of Cinema Development opened the Vietnamese cinema booth at the Film and Television Fair, marking the impressive return of Vietnamese cinema at TIFF.

Within the framework of the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) (held in Tokyo, Japan, lasting until November 5), the Vietnam Film Promotion Association (VFDA) in collaboration with the People's Committees of provinces and cities including Da Nang City, Quang Ninh, Son La, Dien Bien opened the Vietnam Pavilion at the Film and Television Fair (TIFFCOM). TIFFCOM is a project market focusing on the film industry, attracting professional film producers from all over the world .

Vietnamese delegation at the Film and Television Market of the Tokyo International Film Festival

PHOTO: NGOC LE

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan - President of VFDA, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi - Vice President of Da Nang City People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Hong Duong - Head of Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, Ms. Giang Thi Hoa - Vice President of Dien Bien Provincial People's Council and leaders and members of VFDA inaugurated the booth with the witness of Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan - Mr. Pham Quang Hieu.

Participating in TIFFCOM are dozens of booths of prestigious film organizations such as Korean Film Council (KOFIC, Korea), Tokyo Film Commission (Japan), Warner Bros Pictures (USA), Thailand Film Office (Thailand)... The Vietnamese booth alone, after its opening, attracted nearly 100 guests, film activists, Japanese and international film producers to visit and seek cooperation opportunities.

The largest-ever booth displays many outstanding contents, including: the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) 2026; the PAI index - a tool initiated by VFDA since 2023 to evaluate the ability to attract film crews of Vietnamese localities; filming locations of provinces and cities of Vietnam.

VFDA President Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan introduces to international guests about the Da Nang Asian Film Festival and filming locations in Vietnam

PHOTO: NGOC LE

The Chairman of VFDA emphasized: "This is the first time Vietnam has an official film booth at the Tokyo International Film Festival, even though the festival is now in its 38th year. Since its establishment (2019), VFDA has continuously made efforts to promote the Vietnamese filmmaking environment to the world. The launch of an independent booth at TIFF 2025 demonstrates VFDA's long-term commitment to elevating the Vietnamese cinema brand through international cooperation. This year, the main theme is 'The voice of Vietnamese cinema reaches out to the world', the booth not only promotes the development of Vietnamese cinema, but also promotes VFDA's activities to bring Vietnamese cinema to the world, and especially to promote the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival in 2026".

VFDA introduces to international visitors to visit the Vietnamese cinema booth

PHOTO: NGOC LE

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan affirmed that the participation of local leaders in film development promotion programs at prestigious international events such as TIFF and TIFFCOM is a joint effort to promote the image of the beautiful country and Vietnamese people to the world by attracting domestic and foreign film crews to the locality.

Overview of booths at TIFFCOM

PHOTO: NGOC LE

"The interest of Japanese and international filmmakers in Vietnamese cinema is increasingly expanding. With an A-class international film festival like TIFF, this is certainly the place where Vietnamese cinema can spread most widely, an important bridge for Vietnamese cinema to reach further, affirming its position in the region and the world. The active support from the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan strongly contributes to building the image of Vietnamese cinema, which is introduced professionally and officially but still imbued with its own identity," Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan emphasized.

Tunnels selected for screening at World Cinema Spotlight program

A special highlight at TIFF this year is the film Tunnels by director Bui Thac Chuyen being selected for the World Focus program; the film project 1982 by female director Nguyen Hoang Diep being selected to participate in the Project Market program.

International filmmakers enjoyed visiting Vietnam's film booth after the opening.

PHOTO: NGOC LE

Singer - actress Hoang Yen Chibi, a familiar face of Vietnamese cinema through Thang Nam Ruc Ro , wore ao dai to attend the opening ceremony of the Vietnam booth. She excitedly shared: "The exhibition space is very professional, impressive, and outstanding, clearly showing the role of VFDA in promoting and promoting Vietnamese cinema. I feel proud and want to contribute to promoting the image of my country to international audiences."

Mr. Pham Quang Hieu - Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Hoang Yen Chibi present at the Vietnamese cinema booth at TIFFCOM

PHOTO: NGOC LE

Previously, within the framework of TIFF, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA) organized American Film Night, chaired by Ms. Urmila Venugopalan - President and CEO of MPA Asia - Pacific . VFDA President Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Vice Presidents and some key members of the association attended.

American Film Night is a gathering of famous Hollywood stars, producers, and directors from around the world. It is also an important event with the participation of MPA's strategic partners in Japan, including leading film production companies.

VFDA Chairman and MPA President and CEO at American Film Night

PHOTO: NGOC LE

At the event, VFDA President Ngo Phuong Lan met and discussed directly with senior leaders of MPA in the Asia-Pacific region and representatives of some MPA member film studios. The parties shared information on the activities of each association and expressed their desire to establish and expand cooperation activities in the future, contributing to promoting the common development of the regional film industry.

Producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc shares with international filmmakers at the Vietnam booth

PHOTO: NGOC LE

Notably, MPA also plans to organize American Film Night at DANAFF IV, promising to bring a quality international film event right in Vietnam.

Many exciting activities at the 4th Danang Asian Film Festival

DANAFF IV 2026, with the theme "A Bridge from Asia to the World", is scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 4, 2026. DANAFF IV will introduce new cinematographic works from the Asia-Pacific region and Vietnam, selected to participate in competition categories as well as screen in special programs such as "Asian Cinema Panorama" and "Vietnamese Cinema Today".

In addition, the area honoring cinema heritage will have a special program selecting "Outstanding Vietnamese films in 40 years of renovation (1986 - 2026)" and "Spotlight on American cinema" with classic American films, the pinnacle of the world from the silent film era (from the mid-1890s ) to the present.

In addition, activities within the framework of DANAFF include DANAFF Talents, which aims to discover and nurture young film talents in the region. The Talent Nurturing Acting Workshop has also become a successful launching pad for many young actors.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dien-anh-viet-nam-tro-lai-an-tuong-tai-lhp-quoc-te-tokyo-185251029153655559.htm