Six Vietnamese films presented at Asian World Film Festival 2023

Four Vietnamese full-length films will be presented at the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) held from November 8 to 17 in Culver City, the US.

The films are Bui Thac Chuyen's Glorious Ashes, Tran Thanh's House of No Man, Vu Ngoc Dang's Nhot Must Marry, Mai Thu Huyen's A Fragile Flower; and two short films, Tan DS's Glory of a Fighter, and Le Chau's Doldrums.

Glorious Ashes by Bui Thac Chuyen. Photo: Screenshot

For the first time at the festival, Vietnam will have its own film days alongside those of Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan (China).

Among the 50 features and numerous shorts from Asian filmmakers from around the world, two Vietnamese films, Glorious Ashes and Doldrums, are competing in two categories for long and short films.

Vietnamese actress and director Mai Thu Huyen is the only representative from Vietnam invited to serve on the jury for the short film category.

"I hope that not only at this AWFF but in the future, Vietnamese films will have more opportunities to be introduced at other international film events, leaving a good impression on audiences and receiving high praise from professionals," she said.

Under the theme "Discover", the 9th AWFF presents a variety of films and special screening programs, including 21 Academy Award and Golden Globe submissions for Best International Feature Film and Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language from Asia.

A scene from the movie Glorious Ashes. Photo: Screenshot

According to Georges Chamchoum, Executive Director of the Asian World Film Festival, what makes the AWFF special is not only the films submitted to the Academy Awards & Golden Globes but also the parallel programs such as Film Days, which showcase motion pictures from half a dozen countries each year.

Founded by Kyrgyz public figure Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, the AWFF aims to bring the best of a broad selection of Asian world cinema to Los Angeles, bringing greater recognition to the region's filmmaking wealth and strengthening ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries.

All films participating in the festival will have the unique opportunity to be guided through the challenging awards season and showcased to members of various industry groups and the press for increased exposure, media attention, and awards consideration. AWFF is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of Aitysh USA.

The Nhot Must Marry by Vu Ngoc Dang.