On October 12, the Cinema Department sent an official notice to film production and distribution companies, as well as Vietnamese organizations and individuals registering films for cinematic events. The notice calls for stricter compliance with legal requirements when submitting films to events overseas.

"In recent years, Vietnamese cinema has increasingly established its presence at international film festivals, awards ceremonies and other cinematic events. Many works have been showcased and recognized, demonstrating the creative capabilities of Vietnamese filmmakers, promoting Vietnamese culture and people, and expanding opportunities for international cooperation.

"The Cinema Department recognizes and highly appreciates the efforts of producers and distributors who have proactively sought opportunities and built connections to bring Vietnamese films to international audiences. These efforts have helped develop the film industry and promote a positive image of Vietnam and its people around the world.

"However, through its regulatory oversight of the film industry, the Cinema Department has identified cases in which organizations and individuals submitted film copies or granted festival organizers access to films for overseas film festivals, awards, competitions, screening programs and film weeks before obtaining film classification licenses or broadcasting approval.

"In some cases, producers waited until shortly before the scheduled screenings to submit their films for appraisal, make revisions requested by the competent authorities or seek expedited consideration and approval."

According to the department, such practices create risks of legal violations, complicate the film appraisal process and limit the authorities' ability to provide timely support for quality productions.

Clause 1, Article 40 of Vietnam's Cinema Law No. 05/2022/QH15 stipulates that films participating in film festivals, awards, competitions, screening programs and film weeks, whether in Vietnam or abroad, must have been granted a film classification license or broadcasting approval.

The Cinema Department therefore emphasized that submitting films to overseas cinematic events without the required authorization constitutes a violation of Vietnamese law.

The notice comes amid cases in which producers have submitted films to international festivals before receiving domestic screening approval or completing revisions required by regulators.

In 2019, the producer of the Vietnamese film Rom was fined VND 40 million for distributing the film without the necessary authorization.

Specifically, the producer submitted Rom to the 2019 Busan International Film Festival before the Cinema Department had granted permission for its release in Vietnam.

The film was subsequently named a winner in the festival's New Currents category, despite its producer having sent a letter requesting withdrawal from the event.

After eventually obtaining an official distribution license, Rom announced a theatrical release date in Vietnam of July 31, 2020.

My Anh