Taking place from June 1 to 5, the programme introduces classic Swedish films alongside restored Vietnamese animated films. The event helps promote the art of storytelling through cinema while expanding cultural exchanges for young audiences. The Film Week honours renowned children's author Astrid Lindgren and generations of Vietnamese animation filmmakers, giving children an opportunity to explore the cinematic heritage of the two countries.
The programme features three newly restored Swedish films: “Pippi Longstocking”, “The Brothers Lionheart and Ronia”, “the Robber's Daughter”. Audiences can also enjoy a collection of 11 Vietnamese animated films over six decades, such as “The Fox Got What He Deserved” (1960), “The Kitten” (1965), “The Story of Saint Giong” (1970), “The Catfish and the Toad” (1993), as well as works produced in 2024 such as “The Damaged Chicken Feather”, “Neighbours”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Johan Ndisi, Swedish Ambassador to Viet Nam, said that Astrid Lindgren’s characters embody core Swedish values such as independence, equality and respect for children's voices. The Film Week introduces stories rich in human values to young Vietnamese audiences and reflects the long-standing cultural cooperation between the two countries, in which cinema plays an important connecting role.
Astrid Lindgren is one of the most influential children's authors in the world. Her works have been translated into more than 100 languages, conveying stories that promote courage, independence and empathy.
The Viet Nam–Sweden Children's Film Week continues the long tradition of cooperation between the two countries in cinema and cultural exchange. Since the 1970s, Sweden has supported the development of Vietnamese cinema through professional exchange programmes, technical cooperation and partnerships between film institutions, particularly in film archiving and preservation.
Le Thi Ha, Director of the Viet Nam Film Institute, shared that introducing these films is part of the institute’s mission to preserve and promote cinematic heritage. She noted that Astrid Lindgren’s works represent the highest standards of children's cinema, combining artistic quality with emotional depth for audiences of all ages.
The Viet Nam–Sweden Children's Film Week reaffirms the enduring power of storytelling in connecting cultures and generations, while contributing to deeper cultural cooperation between Viet Nam and Sweden.
