On the evening of January 16 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) held its 2025 year-end ceremony and officially announced the fourth edition of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV), set to take place from June 28 to July 4, 2026.

The announcement was jointly made by Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of VFDA; People’s Artist Nhu Quynh; and director Do Thanh Hai, Vice General Director of Vietnam Television (VTV), along with Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee.

Reflecting on a vibrant year for the association, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan highlighted the scope and impact of VFDA’s work. “2025 was a particularly dynamic year with numerous large-scale events initiated or co-organized by the association, both domestically and internationally. On average, VFDA held a major event every one to two months, sustaining a consistent and tireless rhythm of engagement.”

VFDA was honored with three commendations in 2025: from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for outstanding collaboration; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for exemplary contributions to people-to-people diplomacy; and the Da Nang city government for successful co-organization of DANAFF III.

Stronger, deeper, broader: The next chapter of DANAFF

At the launch event, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong acknowledged the association’s pivotal role. “VFDA has distinguished itself as a vital bridge between state institutions, local authorities, and filmmakers – and, most importantly, between Vietnamese cinema and the international film community.”

DANAFF IV will be held under the theme “DANAFF – A Bridge from Asia to the World.” After three successful editions, the festival has become a beloved destination for filmmakers and cinephiles, offering an inspiring platform for creativity and cultural exchange.

According to Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, DANAFF has significantly contributed to Da Nang’s goals of becoming a “city of events” and a “creative city,” while laying the groundwork for a future cultural industry hub in Vietnam.

She affirmed the city’s commitment to ensuring DANAFF IV will be held with increasing professionalism, safety, and effectiveness.

An expanded vision for cinema and industry

DANAFF IV is set to scale up in scope and depth, expecting to host around 900 participants, including more than 200 international guests. The festival’s core remains its two competitive categories: Asian Cinema and Vietnamese Cinema. A rich lineup of non-competitive screenings will also feature prominently, including a 40 Years of Doi Moi retrospective and a special Focus on American Cinema.

For the first time, critical topics such as intellectual property rights, the evolution of Vietnamese cinema over four decades, and strategies for building a sustainable film industry ecosystem will be addressed in depth at a series of thematic seminars.

Beyond screenings, DANAFF IV will further its mission to nurture the foundations of Vietnam’s film industry. Programs will center on talent development and market integration.

A highlight is the Film Project Incubator (also known as the film market), where promising young filmmakers from Vietnam and abroad will receive professional training, mentorship, and hands-on development support from leading industry experts.

Another major debut is DANAFF Industry Networking, a platform to facilitate direct engagement among stakeholders in the film value chain – producers, distributors, directors, and investors – through roundtable discussions, partner meetings, and knowledge exchange.

In terms of screenwriting, DANAFF Script Lab will offer targeted training for emerging Vietnamese scriptwriters, aiming to enhance script quality and build the next generation of creative talent.

Celebrating cinema with the public

DANAFF IV will continue to embrace the broader community through colorful, accessible public events. These include outdoor film screenings, star-studded meet-and-greets with fans, and lively gatherings of the DANAFF’s Cinephiles community – ensuring the spirit of cinema fills the city.

By combining artistic excellence with public engagement and industry-building initiatives, DANAFF IV is poised to reaffirm Da Nang’s place on the global cinematic map.

My Anh