The festival is jointly organized by the Da Nang People's Committee and the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) to celebrate cinematic values, nurture emerging talent, and strengthen connections between Vietnamese cinema and the regional and international film industries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that despite being established only a few years ago, DANAFF has quickly earned a strong reputation and become a bridge connecting Vietnamese cinema with the region, contributing to raising the profile of Vietnamese film industry in the process of international integration.

Ngo Phuong Lan, president of the VFDA, co-chair of the DANAFF IV organizing committee, and festival director, said Asian cinema has become an increasingly influential force on the global film map.

The stories told from Asia not only reflect distinct cultural identities but also resonate with universal human values.

"I hope DANAFF will continue to be a place where these creative voices meet, spread, and connect with international audiences,” Lan said.

Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, vice-chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee and head of DANAFF IV's organizing committee, said DANAFF is more than a film event, calling it a strategic part of Da Nang's efforts to build its cultural brand.

"DANAFF IV continues to embody the aspiration of building an international cinematic space where filmmakers, artists, industry experts, policymakers, producers, distributors, scholars, critics, and film lovers can come together to exchange ideas, collaborate, create economic value, and promote humanitarian values," she said.

A week immersed in cinema

After three editions, DANAFF has steadily established itself as a large-scale, professionally organized film event and is emerging as a major gathering for the regional film community.

One sign of its growing stature is its ability to attract around 1,000 delegates this year, including more than 200 international guests.

Alongside familiar faces from Vietnam's film industry, the festival is welcoming an increasing number of internationally renowned actors, directors, producers, and film experts.

They are taking part in red carpet events, international exchanges, panel discussions, and filmmaking workshops.

According to the organizing committee, DANAFF IV returns on a significantly larger scale with several major new initiatives.

For the first time, the festival introduced DANAFF Industry Days, held on June 30 and July 1, bringing together 10 of Vietnam's leading film production companies and more than 20 international distributors from over 10 countries and territories.

The program serves as a platform connecting producers, distributors, industry experts, and partners from Vietnam and abroad to foster new collaborations and expand market opportunities.

The festival also launched DANAFF's Cinephiles, a program developed in partnership with universities in Da Nang to cultivate a new generation of film enthusiasts.

One of this year's highlights includes the expansion of the DANAFF Talents program, which for the first time, features a Script Lab offering intensive training in screenwriting.

Besides, audiences can immerse themselves in a week devoted entirely to cinema, with more than 100 films presented in nearly 200 free screenings across various competitions and showcase programs.

All festival activities, including screenings, seminars, and training programs, are free for both audiences and industry professionals, thanks to the support of sponsors and the Da Nang People's Committee.

Hollywood heavyweights make their DANAFF debut

DANAFF IV also marked the festival's first time welcoming major Hollywood figures, including actress Jane Seymour and veteran producer Bill Mechanic, former chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox, alongside an impressive line-up of internationally acclaimed actors, directors, producers, and film experts.

In addition to joining a post-screening discussion following the screening of 'Somewhere in Time' as part of the American Cinema Spotlight program, Seymour, best known as one of the iconic Bond girls in the James Bond franchise, led an Acting Masterclass under the DANAFF Talents initiative, giving aspiring actors a rare opportunity to learn from one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars.

Seymour said she strongly supports emerging film festivals, describing them as important platforms for discovering new talent and original stories that have yet to reach the international commercial market.

She also encouraged Vietnamese filmmakers to share an 'authentic Vietnam' with the world and to tell stories rooted in the human experience and universal values, noting that such stories are what global audiences seek.

The festival also brought together some of the biggest names in Asian and international cinema, including Kim Dong Ho, founder of the Busan International Film Festival; and acclaimed Hong Kong director Johnnie To.

South Korean stars Ji Chang Wook, Jung Il Woo, Park Sung Woong, and Han Dong Hee also joined the festival, alongside veteran Vietnamese artists and the casts of several Vietnamese productions.