A seminar on the film industry will take place at Hoa Sen University in Ho Chi Minh City on February 19 to help young Vietnamese filmmakers gain access to regional and international film festivals.

Actress and film director Hồng Ánh will host the seminar "Convergence of Asean Diversity through Film Culture" at Hoa Sen University on February 19.

The seminar – entitled “Convergence of ASEAN Diversity through Film Culture” – will include presenters such as director of ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA) Livan Tajang, award-winning actress and director Hong Anh, producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc and director Trinh Le Minh.

Tajang will give a speech on creating a Southeast Asian convergence in the face of obstacles such as language, cultural and traditional differences. Tajang will also speak on the role of AIFFA in promoting the development of Asian cinema.

"The presenters will focus on filmmaking and film production in Vietnam," said Nguyen Tran Khanh from Blue Productions, the seminar organiser. "The seminar participants will also discuss how to bring popular Vietnamese movies to international film festivals."

Anh will share her experience on how to access to international film festivals. She has been successful as a director, winning many prizes both at home and abroad. Her latest film, The Way Station, was honoured with the Special Jury Prize at the Eurasia International Film Festival 2017 in Kazakhstan and the ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards 2017 in Malaysia. It was chosen among the 16 best films screened at the 39th Cairo International Film Festival.

Ngoc is has gained extensive experience in Vietnam’s film industry. She is the producer of Big Father, Small Father, and Other Stories, directed by Phan Dang Di, which was selected for official competition at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival.

Another of Ngoc’s projects, The Third Wife by Nguyen Phuong Anh, was presented at the 2016 HAF, Hong Kong International Film Festival and won the award for Best Bon-Hong Kong project.

The movie won the NETPAC award at the Toronto International Film Festival 2018, the Best Film title at the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival in India and the Best Artistic Contribution in International Competition at the 40th Cairo International Film Festival.

Her latest project, Tan Tro Ruc Ro (Glorious Ashes), won a 15,000 USD prize in the Asian Project Market at Busan Film Festival. It was among 15 projects selected to be introduced in ‘The Atelier’ programme at Cannes Film Festival last year. She will speak about pitching films at international film events.

The seminar will be hosted by Blue Productions and AIFFA as a sideline event at the 4th ASEAN International Film Festival And Awards, which will take place from April 25 to 27 in Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.-VNS