Strengthening connections and multi-dimensional cooperation between Vietnamese and French cinema

Within the framework of the “Vietnamese Cinema – Journey of Light” Week, on December 4, at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in France, a discussion took place with the theme “Vietnamese and French Cinema: Opportunities for Cooperation”.

The “Vietnamese Cinema – Journey of Light” Week was organized by the Vietnam Film Promotion Association (VFDA) and AVSE Global in Paris under the auspices of the Embassy of Vietnam in France from December 4 to 12. The discussion “Vietnamese and French Cinema: Opportunities for Cooperation” was one of the highlights of the Week, creating a space for in-depth dialogue between managers, experts, producers and artists of the two countries on the development strategy and international integration of Vietnamese cinema in the new context.

Attending the discussion were Mr. Dinh Toan Thang, Ambassador of Vietnam to France; Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of VFDA, former Director of the Vietnam Cinema Department; Mr. Mathieu Ripka, General Representative of ARP (Association of Authors - Directors - Producers) of France; Major General Do Trieu Phong, Director of the Public Security Communications Department, Member of the Standing Committee of VFDA; Film producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, Member of the Standing Committee of VFDA... The discussion had the participation of many Vietnamese and French artists, filmmakers and film critics who are actively working in the fields of film creation, production and distribution.

Speakers of the panel discussion: ARP General Representative Mathieu Ripka, VFDA President Ngo Phuong Lan and film producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc.

According to Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, in recent times, Vietnam-France exchanges have been taking place vigorously in many fields. Along with that, the cinemas of the two countries are also exploring increasingly effective and significant cooperation directions that better serve the development of cinema in each country...

The seminar “Vietnamese and French Cinema: Opportunities for Cooperation” is expected to open new cooperation connections between Vietnamese and French cinema organizations, promote the exchange of human resources, techniques, production and distribution; at the same time contribute to enhancing the image of Vietnamese cinema in the international arena. This is not only a professional activity, but also a meaningful cultural bridge in promoting the sustainable development of the Vietnamese cinema industry. The seminar focuses on clarifying cooperation opportunities between Vietnamese and French cinema through in-depth exchanges on co-production models, support mechanisms of the two countries, as well as connection methods for filmmakers and producers.

The seminar was attended by many Vietnamese and French artists, filmmakers and film critics.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Mathieu Ripka, General Representative of ARP, expressed his hope that in the future there could be a French-Vietnamese co-production film that would represent France at the Oscars. According to Mr. Mathieu Ripka, there are currently many Vietnamese people living in France and also many French people of Vietnamese origin. The continued exchange between the two countries, especially in the field of cinema, between artists of both sides will contribute to maintaining and developing the good relationship between Vietnam and France.

At the seminar, speakers analyzed bilateral advantages, from France's developed film ecosystem to Vietnam's young creative resources and expanding market, to point out possible directions for cooperation in production, training, distribution and international promotion.

According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Vietnam is at a time when cinema is very developed. In particular, 2025 is a year that marks a remarkable development in the market share of Vietnamese films, in the growth of the Vietnamese cinema market. Recently, many Vietnamese films, young filmmakers, and independent filmmakers have been invited, recognized, and awarded at international film festivals. The creative atmosphere and filmmaking atmosphere in Vietnam today are thanks to weekly and monthly successes in theaters and in the market. These are important factors that stimulate investors and filmmakers not only in Vietnam but also in some countries in the Asian region, as well as in the world , to come to Vietnam. Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan expressed her hope that 2026 will be a year of stronger and more effective development and will truly bring more specific and effective results in the cooperation between Vietnamese and French cinema.

The organizers and delegates interacted within the framework of the discussion.

Based on practical experiences, the discussion aimed to propose solutions to help the two cinemas increase exchanges, effectively exploit each other's resources, and jointly create projects that are competitive in the global market. According to Mr. Mathieu Ripka, cooperation between Vietnamese and French cinema can continue to be expanded, especially in the field of distribution, thereby creating conditions for French films to access the Vietnamese market and Vietnamese films to access the French market. Mr. Mathieu Ripka also raised the issue of considering cooperation in exploiting cinemas, which is also a strength of France. "We have a cinema system everywhere in the country, and we are very knowledgeable in this field of exploitation. All of that requires more exchanges," Mr. Mathieu Ripka emphasized.

Ms. Tran Thi Bich Ngoc also commented: Over the years, Vietnamese cinema and French cinema have cooperated with each other better and better. If in the past the two sides only cooperated in the form of providing services, now they have moved to production cooperation. There, French producers have accompanied Vietnamese directors to create together, own the film together and bring the film to the world together.

Young director Le Binh Giang, author of the horror film Kfc (2015) which has participated in 20 large and small international film festivals, excitedly expressed: “As a young filmmaker, I always want to find opportunities to cooperate with international filmmakers, especially in France - the cradle of many talented directors and famous films. I hope to learn and cooperate with filmmakers and film funds in France to get closer to world cinema. When we develop together, we not only create value for cinema but also contribute to promoting culture, tourism and the image of Vietnam internationally.”...

Source: https://cand.com.vn/van-hoa/tang-cuong-ket-noi-hop-tac-da-chieu-giua-dien-anh-viet-nam-va-phap-i790221/