Celebrated Thai producer Vanridee Pongsittisak – renowned for films such as Pee Mak, Bad Genius, and How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – will attend the third Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III) as a special guest in the “Project Incubator” program.

Currently serving as a board member at GDH, Vanridee is often dubbed the “woman behind the success” of Thailand’s most iconic films. Her influence spans decades and includes major projects produced by GTH and GDH, positioning her as one of the most powerful figures in the Thai film and television industry.

The 2024 film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was a sensation across Asia and grossed nearly 90 billion VND (approximately $3.5 million) in Vietnam. It has since been selected as Thailand’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, and made history as the first Thai film to enter the shortlist of 15 contenders.

At DANAFF III, Vanridee will participate in discussions and mentorship sessions with emerging filmmakers, particularly in the genre film category. Her experience in creating commercially successful yet culturally rich cinema is expected to offer invaluable insights to young creatives.

The festival also revealed the panel of judges for the Project Incubator’s genre film pitch session. Highlights include Charlie Nguyen (The Rebel, Fool for Love), Korean film curator Kim Young Woo, filmmaker-producers Mia Santosa and Fausto Fasulo, editor-in-chief of Mad Movies magazine.

Launched in 2025, the Project Incubator reflects DANAFF’s mission to discover promising talent, support creative storytelling, and foster lasting connections between young Vietnamese filmmakers and the global film industry.

This marks Vietnam’s first dedicated program to support genre cinema, aiming to diversify theatrical releases and position Vietnam as a creative hub for content in Asia. Seven selected projects will undergo training and pitch sessions before an international jury, with the top project receiving a $5,000 prize sponsored by the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

Also attending DANAFF III is director Kim Han Min, whose film The Admiral: Roaring Currents drew over a third of South Korea’s population to theaters. He continues to honor Korea’s naval hero Yi Sun-sin through sequels Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022) and Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023).

Kim will attend the Project Incubator as an honorary guest and mentor, sharing his steadfast vision of using cinema to preserve historical memory and stir national pride. Joining him will be rising Korean actors Jang Eui Soo and Lee Jae Sung, adding fresh cinematic energy to the event.

The Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III) will take place from June 29 to July 5, offering a week full of dynamic cinematic experiences for film enthusiasts this summer.

Quynh An