Dung 'the Madman' was defeated.

The Vietnamese film category at DANAFF Talents 2026 brought together many big names. Tran Nguyen Hoang Long caused a surprise by beating Nguyen Quang Dung and Phan Gia Nhat Linh to win.

On the afternoon of July 3rd, the awards ceremony for outstanding projects at the DANAFF Talents 2026 international pitching session took place within the framework of the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival.

Previously, the Genre Film Projects category brought together many notable Vietnamese film directors such as Nguyen Quang Dung, Phan Gia Nhat Linh, Dinh Tuan Vu, along with young filmmakers. The projects participated in training, mentoring, and script refinement processes, as well as project documentation and development strategies, before proceeding to the pitching session before an international panel of experts.

Nguyen Quang Dung brings "The Ivory Comb" to DANAFF Talents 2026. Photo: Organizing Committee .

Among the participating projects, director Nguyen Quang Dung's "The Ivory Comb" garnered attention as it was developed from the short story of the same name by writer Nguyen Quang Sang. Previously, the director stated that bringing the project to DANAFF Talents was an opportunity for the team to receive professional feedback, access international perspectives, and refine their storytelling approach.

Meanwhile, the historical film Phan Xích Long and the Uprising in the Southern Provinces of Vietnam by director Phan Gia Nhật Linh is also considered a formidable contender in this category.

You may also like

Foreign Trade University accepts applications from candidates who achieve a score of 24 or higher in the A00 subject combination.In 2026, the Foreign Trade University will set the minimum admission score for the high school graduation exam-based admission method at 24 points for the A00 combination (mathematics, physics, chemistry), while the scores for other combinations will be reduced by 1 point.

Over 15,700 students in disadvantaged areas have received support from the "School Soy Milk Program".VHO - The "School Soy Milk Program" for the 2025-2026 school year has delivered over 948,000 cartons of soy milk to more than 15,700 primary school students in disadvantaged schools across four provinces: Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Dak Lak, and Lai Chau, contributing to improved nutrition, healthcare, and motivation for them to attend school.

Hanoi: Free health insurance cards issued to people aged 60 and over.Hanoi is the first locality in the country to lower the age for receiving free health insurance cards for the elderly from 70 years old to 60 years old. This humane social welfare policy not only affirms the pioneering role of the capital city in implementing social welfare policies but also serves as vivid evidence of putting the special mechanisms of the Capital City Law into practice.

Ultimately, the DANAFF Award in the category of Vietnamese Multi-Genre Film Project was given to Escape Room (Scared To Death) by director Tran Nguyen Hoang Long. According to leaked information, Escape Room (Scared To Death) is a horror-thriller film that utilizes the escape room as a setting to create tension and suspense.

In the Asian Art Film Project category, the top prize went to Zholdogu Bala (Stuck Like Babies) by director Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi (Kyrgyzstan). The project impressed with its rich cinematic language, humanistic approach, and potential for development in international film festivals and markets.

Director Tran Nguyen Hoang Long (left) wins in the Genre Film Projects category. Photo: Organizing Committee .

DANAFF Talents 2026 is an activity within the framework of DANAFF IV, aimed at supporting filmmakers in developing their projects from the script stage, while also creating opportunities to connect with mentors, producers, film funds, and the international market.

The 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV) took place from June 28th to July 4th, with the message "A Bridge from Asia to the World ". This year, the event showcased 102 films with approximately 200 screenings, including two main competition categories: Asian Films and Vietnamese Films. Besides screenings, DANAFF IV also expanded its activities to include exchanges, workshops, training of young talents, and networking with the international film industry.

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

Strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the United States.On July 3rd, as part of the Pacific Partnership - Friends of the Pacific 2026 program, the U.S. Army Pacific delegation, led by Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, paid a courtesy visit to the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command.

The U.S. Army Pacific delegation visits the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command.2026 marks the first time the Pacific Partnership-Friends of the Pacific program will be jointly organized in Quang Tri, creating a large-scale cooperation framework with 25 activities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a copy of the Letter of Credence for the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.On the afternoon of July 2nd, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Mr. Le Cong Dung, Director of the State Protocol and Foreign Interpretation Department, received a copy of the Letter of Credence from Ms. Jennifer Wicks, Ambassador of the United States of America to Vietnam.

Source: https://znews.vn/dung-khung-bi-danh-bai-post1665987.html