The closing and awards ceremony for the second Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF II) in 2024 took place on Saturday evening.

Speaking at the closing and awards ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Chi Cuong emphasised that this was the second time Da Nang had successfully organised an international cinema event. DANAFF II completed its mission and brought the city a vibrant and colourful cinema week.

He added, with lots of exciting activities, DANAFF II left a good impression on the public, students, managers, and experts in the film industry.

Not only did it gather and honour excellent cinematic works, DANAFF II also created a space to nurture cinematic talents, which was considered the solid foundations for Da Nang to build a city of film events and promote the development of local cultural industry.

Vice Chairman Cuong voiced his confidence in Da Nang’s choice and direction in developing cinema into an important cultural industry, positively contributing to the city’s cultural and socio-economic development.

He, at the same time, hoped that DANAFF II will become one of the effective ways to introduce national identity, and promote the image of a youthful and dynamic Da Nang; as well as will be a bridge to connect Da Nang and Viet Nam as a whole with Asia and the world.

Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Association of Film Promotion and Development Ngo Phuong Lan speaking at the event

Evaluating DANAFF II, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Association of Film Promotion and Development and co-head of the festival’s organising committee, said that the professionalism in organising DANAFF II made clear progress, especially in the variety of colours and quality of the film entries, and the films selected for screening at the festival.

The number of professional and academic activities at DANAFF II doubled DANAFF I (four workshops and seminars), with the participation of leading filmmakers and experts from Vietnamese and international cinema, thereby bringing many lessons and solutions to develop Vietnamese cinema in general and DANAFF in particular.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (1st, left) presenting the Best Film Award in the Asian film category to the film crew “Culi never cries”. Photo: X.D

During movie screenings, the audience really got involved in meeting and interacting with famous artists and filmmakers. The workshop “Nurturing Talent” became an address to attract young people with talent and passion for acting.

DANAFF II had 12 awards in the Asian film category and the Vietnamese film category. In addition, there were also the Cinema Achievement Award, the NETPAC Award and the Audience Award for the most popular Vietnamese film.

Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh (left) giving the Best Film Award in the Vietnamese film category to the film “Mai” by director Tran Thanh. Photo: X.D

In the end, a Vietnamese film “Cu li khong bao gio khoc” (Cu Li Never Cries) won the Best Film Award in the Asian film category.

Meanwhile, in the Vietnamese film category, the Best Film Award went to the film “Mai” by director Tran Thanh.

The film “Lat mat 7: Mot dieu uoc” (Face off 7: One Wish) receiving many awards at DANAFF II. Photo: X.D

The film “Lat mat 7: Mot dieu uoc” (Face off 7: One Wish) by Ly Hai took the NETPAC Award.

The Most Popular Vietnamese Film Awards were presented to animated films “The Carp of the Kitchen God”, “The Funny Lion Dance Troupe,” and “The Unique Sweet Potato Village”.

Reporting by X.DUNG, Q.CUONG – Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG