Veteran figures of the film industry
One of the most distinguished guests at this year's DANAFF is filmmaker Kim Dong Ho, the founder of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and one of the most influential figures in contemporary Korean and Asian cinema. Under his leadership, BIFF grew into one of Asia’s premier film festivals, renowned for its commitment to discovering and nurturing emerging filmmaking talent.
At DANAFF IV, his documentary “Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema” will be screened as part of the Asian Cinema Panorama programme at 10:00 am on June 30 at CGV Vinh Trung Plaza, with Kim Dong Ho attending the screening. The film is a reflective tribute to cinema and the theatres that have inspired generations of film lovers.
This also marks Kim Dong Ho’s second visit to Viet Nam. He previously attended the 2025 Da Nang Asian Film Festival as an honorary guest and keynote speaker at the seminar “International film festivals in coastal cities: successful models, organisational experience and opportunities for Da Nang and DANAFF.”
Another distinguished guest is Johnnie To (To Kei-fung), the acclaimed Hong Kong (China) filmmaker, who will serve as President of the Asian Competition Jury at the festival.
Widely regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary Chinese cinema, Johnnie To is best known for his crime and gangster films, distinguished by their tightly crafted storytelling, distinctive atmosphere and highly individual visual style. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has directed numerous acclaimed works, including The Mission, Police Tactical Unit, Election, Election 2, Exiled, Life Without Principle and Blind Detective. Many of his films have been selected for prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, Venice and Berlin.
At DANAFF IV, Police Tactical Unit, one of his signature works, will be screened in the Asian Cinema Panorama programme at Galaxy Cinema Da Nang at 3:00 pm on July 2. Johnnie To will attend the screening and meet audiences afterwards.
This year’s festival also welcomes Jane Seymour, the celebrated film and television star. The British-American actress, producer and author has enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades, earning acclaim through productions including Live and Let Die, Somewhere in Time, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Wedding Crashers and East of Eden. An Emmy Award winner with numerous prestigious nominations, she is widely recognised as one of the iconic figures of international film and television.
At DANAFF IV, Jane Seymour will personally lead an Acting Masterclass, sharing her professional experience with aspiring young actors. She will also meet audiences following the screening of Somewhere in Time at 9:30 am on June 29 at Le Do Cinema, the opening film of this year’s American Cinema Spotlight programme.
Among the international guests attending DANAFF 2026, Bill Mechanic, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 20th Century Fox, stands out not only for the remarkable success he helped achieve in Hollywood, but also because he will receive the festival’s Achievement in Cinema Award.
Bill Mechanic is one of the most influential executives and producers in the American film industry. As Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox from 1993 to 2000, he oversaw the release of blockbuster films including Titanic, Independence Day, The Full Monty and Fight Club.
After leaving Fox, he founded Pandemonium Films, where he continued to build an impressive production portfolio with films such as Hacksaw Ridge, The New World, and Coraline. At DANAFF IV, Bill Mechanic will deliver a Producer Masterclass and meet audiences following a special screening of Hacksaw Ridge at Le Do Cinema at 10:00 am on July 1.
The festival will present him with the Achievement in Cinema Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the art and global film industry.
Charismatic stars set to captivate audiences
Alongside veteran filmmakers and artists with distinguished careers, this year’s festival also features a host of internationally acclaimed stars who have won the hearts of audiences around the world.
Among the most eagerly anticipated guests at DANAFF 2026 is Ji Chang Wook, one of Asia’s leading Hallyu stars.
Widely regarded as one of the defining faces of the Korean Wave, Ji enjoys immense popularity across Asia and has a particularly large fan base in Viet Nam. He has earned acclaim through hit dramas including Empress Ki, Healer, The K2, Suspicious Partner, The Worst of Evil and Welcome to Samdal-ri.
Ji Chang Wook had originally been announced as a guest for DANAFF 2025 but was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. This year, he will take part in a range of promotional activities highlighting Korean cinema.
Another Korean star joining the festival is Jung Il Woo, well known to Asian audiences for his performances in High Kick!, 49 Days, Moon Embracing the Sun and Cinderella and Four Knights. More recently, he has attracted considerable attention from Vietnamese audiences through the Viet Nam–RoK co-production Mang Me Di Bo (Leaving Mom), which also stars Hong Dao and Tuan Tran. The film received widespread acclaim and achieved impressive box-office success.
This year’s festival also welcomes back Park Sung Woong, one of the RoK’s most accomplished screen actors. He has delivered memorable performances in productions such as New World, The Shameless, Remember: War of the Son, Life on Mars and Snowdrop. Renowned for his commanding screen presence and remarkable versatility, Park is widely regarded as one of the leading veteran actors of contemporary Korean cinema and television.
Joining the Korean actors is the promising young actress Han Dong Hee. An emerging talent in the Korean entertainment industry, she has appeared in a number of successful productions, including Under the Queen's Umbrella, May I Help You, Captivating the King and Gyeongseong Creature. She has recently attracted further attention with her latest project, The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.
This year’s festival will also welcome Tuba Buyukustun for the first time. One of Türkiye's leading actresses and models, she became the first Turkish actress to receive a nomination for Best Actress at the 42nd International Emmy Awards, thanks to her performance as Melek Halaskar in 20 Minutes.
She is internationally recognised for acclaimed productions such as Asi, Black Money Love and Brave and Beautiful, while more recently she has continued to attract global audiences through Netflix series including Another Self and Rise of Empires: Ottoman.
Vietnamese stars who have left their mark on the big screen
DANAFF IV will also bring together a large number of Vietnamese actors, directors, producers and creative teams accompanying the films selected for this year's festival.
Among them are many veteran artists whose performances have become milestones in Vietnamese cinema, including People's Artist Nhu Quynh (We Will Meet Again), People's Artist Hoang Cuc (The Retired General), People's Artist Lan Huong (The Little Girl of Ha Noi and The Guava Season), and director and Meritorious Artist Dang Tat Binh (Last Hope).
The festival will also welcome artists from younger generations and a host of actors who have attracted growing attention in Vietnamese cinema. They include Meritorious Artist Hong Anh, Do Hai Yen, Thuy Anh, Ngoc Thanh Tam, Lien Binh Phat, Le Ha Anh, Do Nhat Hoang, Phuong Nam, Tieu Vy, Yen Dan, Tam Trieu Dang and Kieu Minh Tuan, together with many other familiar faces from the Vietnamese film industry.
The impressive line-up of international artists and filmmakers, including major stars from a wide range of film industries, reflects the growing prestige and appeal of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, which is receiving increasing recognition from the international film community.
Their participation not only adds to the vibrant festival atmosphere but also helps elevate DANAFF's professional standing, making it an increasingly attractive platform for both audiences and film professionals alike.
