From short films to long-term dreams

VHO - Behind the more than 100 films participating in the second Ho Chi Minh City Short Film Festival in 2026 are hundreds of young people carrying their own stories and cinematic dreams. From their first attempts to projects nurtured for many years, this platform recognizes creative achievements and opens the starting point for a longer journey in their careers.

Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Manh Cuong and People's Artist Tra Giang presented the First Prize to the winning directors.

Shaping the identity of young people.

Cinema is becoming a meeting point for a young generation brimming with creative aspirations and a willingness to experiment. From students taking their first photos to independent filmmaking groups, each film at the festival carries a unique perspective on life and an effort to assert the voice of the storyteller.

According to Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, former Deputy Director of the Department of Cinema and representative of the Art Council of the second Ho Chi Minh City Short Film Festival in 2026, this year's event has received strong support from professionals, especially young people and students working on their first film projects; this partly reflects the appeal of cinema to the new generation as well as the spirit of dedication and willingness to experiment of those at the beginning of their creative journey.

This diversity is clearly demonstrated through more than 100 works across various genres including feature films, documentaries, and animations. Compared to the first season, the number of films has increased significantly, while also expanding the range of topics and touching upon many issues of contemporary life. Many works have garnered attention for their fresh storytelling and technological experiments, including the use of AI as a creative tool. The majority of films are based on real-life observations and experiences, showing a serious commitment to their craft. According to the Art Council's assessment, many creators have moved beyond familiar stories to explore themes of national history, culture, and the dynamics of contemporary society.

Feature films accounted for nearly 50% of the total entries. Each film presented urban life from diverse perspectives, ranging from relatable stories to reflections on history and human values. Notable examples include "Behind the Soldier" (directed by Lê Thị Diễm Quỳnh) and "Taste Like Nothing " (directed by Phan Bảo Tuấn). Many filmmakers also proactively incorporated traditional cultural elements into their films. Stories about learning, career development, love, heartbreak, and hope among young people were prominently featured, highlighting the connection between their professions and the lives they experience. The meticulousness in the production process also reflected the serious attitude of the new generation of creative individuals.

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While feature films explore storytelling techniques, documentaries focus on social and human issues through works such as "The Five Teachings of Uncle Ho" (directed by Huynh Ba Phuc), "Mr. Du" (directed by Nguyen Xuan Giang), "Doctors in the Island Commune ," and "Ancient Colors" (directed by Ca Le Giang).

In the animation genre, many creators boldly combine technology with creative ideas to produce visually stunning works. This year's awards also show a clear awareness among filmmakers in distinguishing between works made entirely by humans and those assisted by AI. Notable examples include "Tinh Dung" (directed by Bui Thi Ngoc Anh) and " Khuay Len Khoang Khong " (directed by Nguyen Hoang Khang), both featuring meticulously crafted 2D and 3D animation.

From school "nursery" to career launching pad

One of the notable new features of this year's festival is the introduction of the "Film Talent Incubator" project. Beyond simply searching for entries, the program offers young filmmakers the opportunity to refine their ideas, develop their projects, and directly interact with experts from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

This is the result of a collaboration between MTH Academy and the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City to seek out, support, and nurture potential ideas for future seasons. Along with expanding activities to schools and launching a short video creation contest for students, the film festival is gradually expanding its role, from a platform for finished works to an environment that nurtures filmmakers from the very beginning of their creative journey.

According to People's Artist Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, activities such as the "Film Talent Incubator" are also part of the direction for developing school cinema that the city is pursuing after joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This is considered an important foundation for building a young creative force, with programs designed to suit each educational level, from primary school to university.

Based on these long-term orientations, the festival continued to recognize many promising talents. The final results showed that the First Prize for Feature Film went to " Karma " directed by Pham Vu Tri (Van Lang University); the First Prize for Documentary Film went to "The Sower of Vietnamese Aspirations" directed by Do Thi Thoan (Giai Phong Film Joint Stock Company); and the First Prize for Animation went to "The Miraculous Homecoming" directed by Dao Minh Uyen (Giai Phong Film Joint Stock Company).

Each award at this year's festival is linked to a unique story of young people who have chosen filmmaking as their career path. For director Do Thi Thoan, the First Prize for documentary came as a surprise, as this was her first time attending the festival, and she sees it as recognition for her filmmaking process. The award also motivates her to continue pursuing biographical documentaries – a genre in which, according to her, each character carries a story worth listening to.

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Meanwhile, director Pham Vu Tri, a final-year student at Van Lang University and the youngest winner of the first prize for feature films, said that his project , "Karma," was made over six months with a team of about 20 people. The idea for the film began during the pandemic, when his father gave him religious books to read. The quarantine period also became an opportunity for him to learn more about Buddhism in his hometown of Quy Nhon (formerly Binh Dinh province). From that material, along with guidance from lecturers in the department, the story gradually took shape and was told through the language of cinema. "I am very proud that my efforts and those of the whole team have been recognized. This is a motivation for me to continue pursuing filmmaking and working on future projects," Pham Vu Tri shared.

Short films conclude after just a few dozen minutes on screen, but behind each work lies a longer journey of young people learning to tell their stories through cinema. The 2026 Short Film Festival ended with well-deserved awards, but for many young talents, it's only the beginning of a long dream.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nghe-thuat/tu-phim-ngan-den-giac-mo-dai-236214.html