8th Hanoi International Film Festival to feature first-ever film market

Held biennially to honor outstanding films and foster global exchange, the festival's upcoming edition introduces a dedicated commercial platform designed to spur film trading, industry investment, and international partnerships.

The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on VTV and HTV, while the opening film is scheduled to screen the same day at the National Cinema Center.

The previous edition, HANIFF 2024, brought together more than 800 local and international delegates. Of around 500 film submissions, organizers selected 117 films from 51 countries and territories. The festival also featured industry seminars, exhibitions, a film project market and audience engagement programs.

Returning after two years, HANIFF will bring a range of film and cultural activities to Hanoi, including an exhibition highlighting the capital through cinema, an art program, mobile screenings and film exchanges at VEC.

On December 1, delegates are also expected to visit Duong Lam Ancient Village or Bat Trang pottery village, along with other cultural and heritage sites in Hanoi.

The festival will also present the Hanoi Award to films about the Vietnamese capital with cultural or historical significance, with prizes of VND100 million (US$3,831) for the best feature film and VND50 million (US$1,916) for the best short film.

HANIFF VIII will introduce the Vietnam Film & Television Market (VFM), scheduled to run from November 28 to 30.

The market is expected to feature around 200 booths from more than 100 companies and brands across more than 15 countries and territories, bringing together businesses, producers, distributors, broadcasters, OTT/streaming platforms, content owners and investors.

While international film festivals traditionally combine artistic programs with industry activities, VFM will add a dedicated space for film trading and industry connections, including content licensing and business partnerships.

According to the Vietnam Cinema Department, the market will differ from HANIFF's previous film project market, which focused on attracting investment for film projects. 

The new market will showcase modern filmmaking technologies and equipment and provide space for direct content-rights transactions.

It will also provide Vietnamese businesses with opportunities to connect with international partners and markets.

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said major film events such as HANIFF should serve not only as professional industry gatherings but also help 'build and promote the film market' and become cultural events that the public can participate in and enjoy.

He said the approach was important for the sustainable development of Vietnam's film industry.

Dang Tran Cuong, director of the cinema department, also said Vietnam hopes to build an effective content market that can help Vietnamese films reach global audiences while giving the world a better understanding of Vietnam's film industry and its commercial activities.