According to the organising committee, this year’s festival was not only a gathering place for highly creative short films reflecting contemporary life and the perspectives of a new generation of filmmakers, but also a space where cinema enthusiasts could meet, exchange ideas and share their passion for cinema.
Speaking on behalf of the festival’s Artistic Council, Dr Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Meritorious Artist and former Deputy Director General of the Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, noted that the second edition of the Ho Chi Minh City Short Film Festival demonstrated the growing maturity of both the films and their production teams.
Most of the entries reflected a serious professional approach and conveyed positive values, transforming observations and experiences drawn from life into vivid sounds and images on screen through distinctive storytelling styles that bore the imprint of their creators.
According to Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, the fiction category attracted the largest number of entries, accounting for nearly 50% of all films submitted. Each work offered an interesting and diverse perspective on life, with the vibrant image of Ho Chi Minh City operating around the clock serving as an ideal film set for many student film crews.
Meanwhile, the documentaries submitted to the festival demonstrated filmmakers’ dynamism and responsiveness in selecting subjects, as well as their growing maturity in cinematic expression. Many of the films told vivid stories that evoked valuable emotions and highlighted the beauty of the city. A number of works also captured the beauty of heritage sites across different regions of the country through impressive imagery.
Animated films—a distinctive genre in cinema—brought many surprises and raised expectations. Their creators successfully combined human creativity with technological support.
The organising committee awarded three First Prizes, one each in the short film, documentary and animation categories.
Three Second Prizes were also presented to works in the fiction, documentary and animation categories.
In addition, eight Third Prizes and nine Consolation Prizes were awarded. The organising committee also presented awards for Outstanding Screenplay, Outstanding Production Design, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Cinematography, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Leading Actor, Outstanding Leading Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress.
