A key highlight is a Country-in-Focus programme on US cinema, showcasing representative works across the historical development of the film industry.
Dr Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Association for Film Promotion and Development, said that the Country-in-Focus programme on US cinema at this year’s festival goes beyond introducing Hollywood films, offering instead a systematic and scholarly overview of global cinematic evolution. It traces the journey from silent films through successive decades, with US cinema leaving some of the most profound imprints. The programme also reflects contemporary US cinema, presenting legendary figures through a curated selection of films.
This year’s DANAFF is positioned not merely as an artistic film festival but as a platform connecting the regional film industry, continuing to expand professional activities, training, and production linkages.
Its activities are designed to integrate film promotion, production networking, and professional dialogue, thereby fostering substantive and long-term cooperation for Vietnamese cinema.
The festival’s highlights remain its two main competition categories: “Asian Films in Competition” and “Vietnamese Films in Competition,” alongside a diverse non-competitive programme. Notable among these are the “40 Years of Doi Moi (Renewal) Film Series” and the Country-in-Focus programme on US cinema.
The award system is comprehensively structured with significant monetary value. The Best Asian Film award is worth up to 135 million VND (approximately 5,000 USD), accompanied by a range of individual awards for directors, actors, and screenwriters with attractive prizes.
In the Vietnamese competition category, the Best Film will receive 70 million VND, while individual awards range from 20 million VND to 40 million VND.
In addition, the festival presents other honours, including the NETPAC Award, the Critics’ Award, and the Audience Award.
The appeal of DANAFF 2026 also lies in its extensive series of professional activities, which are expected to help shape the future development of Viet Nam’s film industry in a new era.
For the first time, core issues such as intellectual property protection, the evolution of Vietnamese cinema over 40 years of Doi Moi, and strategies for building a film industry ecosystem will be explored in depth through specialised seminars.
At the same time, DANAFF 2026 places strong emphasis on foundational programmes for the film industry, focusing on human resource training and market connectivity.
With clear direction and thorough preparation, DANAFF 2026 is expected to continue serving as a reputable cinematic rendezvous, contributing to enhancing the standing of Vietnamese cinema within the broader landscape of Asian film.
