From blockbuster films that grossed hundreds of billions at the box office to documentaries and animated films in rare genres, this promises to create a memorable and breakthrough season for Vietnamese cinema.
The race track is vibrant and colorful.
The 24th Vietnam Film Festival - 2025, taking place from November 21st to 25th in Ho Chi Minh City, marks the 55th anniversary of this award and holds great significance in the context of the city having recently been recognized by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Creative City in the field of cinema - the first film city in Southeast Asia.
At any Vietnamese Film Festival, the most important aspect is the competition entries. This is where the evolution of Vietnamese cinema is assessed. While a few years ago, films from private productions held an almost absolute dominance, the "picture" in 2025 will witness a spectacular shift. State-commissioned films, with a series of large-scale projects on war and history, will create a significant counterweight in the race for the Golden Lotus Award, with many unpredictable developments.
Among the 16 feature films considered likely to be nominated for major awards, the most notable is the unprecedented influx of 11 films that grossed over 100 billion VND. These include "Mai" (over 551 billion VND), "The Four Vengeful Spirits" (over 332 billion VND), "Battle in the Air" (nearly 252 billion VND), "Detective Kien: The Headless Case" (249 billion VND), "The Ancestral House" (over 242 billion VND), "The Billion-Dollar Kiss" (over 211 billion VND), "Underground Tunnel: The Sun in the Darkness" (172 billion VND), "Abandoning My Mother" (over 160 billion VND), "Sister-in-law" (over 113 billion VND), "Making Money with Ghosts: The Diamond War" (101 billion VND), and especially "Red Rain" - the film currently holding the record for the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time with 714 billion VND and still selling out every time it's screened.
Meanwhile, the remaining five films – “The Prince of Bac Lieu ”, “Kaleidoscope: Revenge on the Ghost”, “Childhood Moon”, “Sound Across the Ocean”, and “The Old Woman on the Run” – belong to the group that did not generate much box office impact or did not have the opportunity to be released in theaters. This contrast shows that this year's festival tends to favor works that have stood the test of time with audiences, rather than relying solely on academic artistic value.
The documentary category features a surprise entry: "Brilliant Horizon," an expanded version of singer Ha Anh Tuan's live concert of the same name. This is the only independent documentary on the shortlist for this category. With its modern approach, blending music and stories of origins, the work creates a distinct and refreshing experience.
In the animation category, two prominent representatives are "Cricket: The Adventure to the Muddy Village" - the highest-grossing Vietnamese animation film in history (over 21 billion VND) - and "Little Trang Quynh: The Legend of the Golden Bull," both rare theatrical releases. Both contributed to bringing Vietnamese animation closer to the mainstream audience…
Improving quality for integration
The spirit of the Vietnam Film Festival 2025 is affirmed through the slogan: "Vietnamese Cinema - Sustainable Development and International Integration in the New Era".
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong, the 24th Vietnam Film Festival received 203 entries – the largest number in the more than half-century history of the Vietnam Film Festival. Not only was the number overwhelming, but the quality of the films was also recognized as "reaching a new level." The selection criteria this time focused on films with content that captures the spirit of the times, the direction and comprehensive development that the country is striving for. Sustainable development and integration were key highlights in the theme of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival.
Regarding the films competing for awards, Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong stated that box office revenue is only one part of the judging criteria. The jury evaluates the works based on their content reflecting the spirit of the times, their ability to grasp the movements of society, and the humanistic philosophy they convey. The goal of Vietnamese cinema is not just growth, but also to strive towards an industry with a distinct identity, enduring creativity, and the capacity to integrate internationally. High-quality works are the strongest evidence of Vietnam's position in the region.
Director Phong Tran believes that the strong breakthrough of historical and war films is proof of a new generation of filmmakers ready to conquer challenging subject areas.
Director Dang Thai Huyen of the film "Red Rain" shared that making revolutionary war films is extremely difficult. According to the female director, the film doesn't necessarily need to showcase scenes of bombs and bullets or harsh terrain. What's important is that in "Red Rain," we see the "essence" of the Vietnamese people: their resilience and sacrifice for their country. The actors also hope that through the work they can touch the audience's emotions and convey pride in being Vietnamese.
From another perspective, Ho Chi Minh City's recognition by UNESCO as a Cinema City places great expectations on production infrastructure and the creative environment. This festival is not only an event honoring successful works, but also an opportunity to look back at the film landscape in the context of global integration, where Vietnamese filmmakers need to step further and more boldly.
Amidst the exciting competitions promising many surprises, what stands out from the 24th Vietnam Film Festival is the effort to shape the face of Vietnamese cinema in the new era with diversity and a focus on international standards.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lien-hoan-phim-viet-nam-2025-mua-giai-but-pha-cua-dien-anh-nuoc-nha-724341.html
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