Training programme seeks talented people to make films

People between the ages of 18 and 35 are encouraged to join a film project launched by the Ha Noi-based Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talent (TPD).

The project, called We Are Filmmakers, will offer financial support and film training to help participants develop their skills.

The project's teaching and consulting board, including film director Bui Thac Chuyen, author and scriptwriter Phan Huyen Thu and cameraman Ly Thai Dung, will provide lessons.

After training, the participants will make 10 short films and documentaries. Their works will be screened later this year.

Begun in 2009, the project is a long-term programme that aims to support young people in filmmaking.

TPD organised the Golden Lotus Bud 2013 awards in Ha Noi last year. The event annually features young filmmakers and shows their works to the public.

More than 48 short documentaries and short films were nominated for the awards. Most films featured urban youth, their problems and conflicts in life and love. The jury gave awards to 12.

Documentary film honours legendary General Giap

Hanoi launched a documentary film about General Vo Nguyen Giap on March 27 to mark the first death anniversary of the legendary military leader.

The film, entitled “The General of the People”, features some of the general’s glorious military victories during the past struggles against foreign invaders, as well as an insight in to his simple daily life.

Though he passed away, his image lives on forever in the hearts and minds of Vietnamese people, shared the film’s director Nguyen Thi Viet Nga.

Nga said she had two opportunities to interview General Giap who had good sentiments towards the media and film-makers. “Like many Vietnamese people, the passing of the legendary General left a deep sorrow in my heart, and this inspired me to make the film,” she confided.

The 50-minute documentary was produced in Hanoi and the central province of Quang Binh – General Giap’s homeland.

Film-makers will continue shooting other localities, including HCM City, Thua Thien Hue, the Central Highlands, and the north-western province of Dien Bien, which is closely attached to General Giap’s resounding victory in Dien Bien Phu battle field.

X Factor hunk to perform at first picnic music festival

Eighty local singers, together with English singer Shayne Ward and international DJ Scott Kirby will perform in the first picnic music festival in Viet Nam, called YAN Beatfest, to be held at Phu Tho Stadium in HCM City on April 12.

Organised by YAN Group, YAN Beatfest is set to start at 9am until 11pm on the second Saturday of April. Picnic music festivals are usually a one day, annual summer event in western countries, but it is a new concept in Viet Nam, says a press release.

Shayne Ward, 30, rose to fame as the winner of the second series of The X Factor.

Known for his brilliant voice and model good looks, his first solo single That's My Goal was released soon after his victory on X Factor and it went on to become one of the top 70 singles ever released in the UK charts and number one in multiple countries for many weeks.

Since it was announced, his participation at YAN Beatfest has had people up and down the country talking about the show. Within 12 hours, over 10,000 fans had "liked" his announcement and thousands more were leaving comments to welcome him.

International DJ Scott Kirby, has 10 years experience playing at music festivals in the UK, and will be present at Beatfest to welcome the first days of summer.

Vietnamese singers including Dam Vinh Hung, Phuong Thanh, Ho Quynh Huong, Tuan Hung, Thuy Tien, and Le Hieu will provide the local talent.

In addition to the musical experience, the festival will bring together 150 market booths, a games area, a BBQ competition among restaurants in Viet Nam, and a talent competition for young people.

Tickets, VND100,000 to VND200,000, are on sale at http://mox.vn/beatfest. Entrance is free from 9-11am.

Dong Nai begins restoration of Tan Hiep Prison in Bien Hoa City

The Dong Nai Province People's Committee on Wednesday began the first phase of renovations at the Tan Hiep Prison in Tan Tien Ward, Bien Hoa City.

The first phase, which costs VND3.4 billion (US$162,000), will include a temple to honour revolutionary martyrs, as well as restoration of the prison's gun warehouse and the chambers of prison keepers. Parts of the prison's foundations will also be preserved under the first phase.

Tan Hiep Prison was one of the six biggest prisons in the South in the US war in Viet Nam.

The prison was ranked as a national heritage site in 1994. The jail has fallen into a state of ruin due to it being left untended for years.

The first phase of the renovation is expected to be complete in September, according to the province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The renovation cost has been sponsored by 21 organisations and enterprises.

Galerie Quynh celebrates 10th year with ‘Onward and Upward' show

An exhibition presenting works by 17 artists will be held at Galerie Quynh from today to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Titled Onward and Upward, the show features varied themes, including historical memory and loss, cultural differences, urban space, nature and humanity, identity, power and rebellion.

The exhibition, which ends on April 26, will be held at the gallery's locations on De Tham and Dong Khoi streets.

Hanoi to host turn off lights festival

As many as 5,000 people are expected to attend a turn off the lights festival in Hanoi on March 29 in response to the 2014 Earth Hour campaign.

The gala affair, scheduled from 10am-6pm on March 29, will feature a wide range of activities including magic shows, street art exhibitions and acoustic performances along with an array of booths selling a variety of handmade products.

All the proceeds collected from the event will be donated to support reforestation in Thua Thien-Hue.

An award ceremony for a contest entitled “Turn off the lights, turn on the ideas 2014″ is also set to be held from 7:pm-9:30 pm with the participation of more than 50 Vietnamese artists such as Ha Okio, Hoang Quyen, Dinh Manh Ninh, Trung Quan,  Justatee and  Beat Box BBC.

The event, as part of “I will if you will” campaign, aims to raise public awareness on environmental and green planet protection.