Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2026 officially opens
DNO - The 4th edition of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV) under the theme “Bridging Asia to the World” officially opened in the city on Sunday evening.
Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, and Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Le Ngoc Quang.
Representatives from diplomatic agencies, and international organizations, plus a large number of artists, directors, producers, screenwriters, film critics, and members of the jury at both home and abroad were also present at the event.
A creative space for promoting film cooperation
Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that, within a relatively short period, DANAFF has gradually affirmed its reputation and become a bridge linking Vietnamese cinema with regional film industries. This significantly contributed to enhancing the international standing of Vietnam's cinema sector in the process of global integration.
She emphasized the festival was vivid evidence of the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and the State in recognizing culture not only as the spiritual foundation of society but also as an endogenous resource, a source of soft power and a driving force for sustainable development.
Cinema was more than an art form; it was also a cultural industry with great potential, helping promote the image of Vietnam and its people while creating new momentum for national development in a new era, she added.
The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the creativity and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), Da Nang and the filmmaking community in building DANAFF into a space for creative exchange, nurturing young talents and promoting regional film cooperation.
She also highlighted the festival’s role in bringing cinema closer to audiences, thereby helping cultivate a new generation of moviegoers who appreciate artistic values and accompany the development of Vietnamese cinema.
She affirmed that the Government will continue to accompany and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese cinema to flourish. The purpose is to ensure that every creative idea has the opportunity to become reality, every valuable work can reach wider audiences, and every talent can be discovered, nurtured and promoted.
Contributing to building Da Nang's cultural brand
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee cum Head of the Organizing Committee of DANAFF IV Nguyen Thi Anh Thi noted that DANAFF was not just a film event, but also carried strategic significance in building the city's cultural brand.
She expressed her hope that DANAFF IV would continue reinforcing Da Nang's position as a destination for major cultural, artistic and cinematic events, and at the same time contribute positively to the deeper integration of Vietnamese cinema with the region and the world.
According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of VFDA, Asian cinema has affirmed its increasingly important position on the global film map. Stories told from Asia not only reflected unique cultural identities but also touched upon universal human values.
The organizing committee, therefore, hoped that DANAFF would continue to provide a platform where these creative voices can meet, spread and connect with international audiences. Compared with its previous three editions, the fourth festival has created a more distinctive identity, she underscored.
She said this year’s festival was built around four key pillars: honoring outstanding Asian and Vietnamese films, celebrating cinematic heritage, discovering and nurturing young filmmaking talent, and expanding international partnerships and market opportunities for Vietnamese cinema.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan emphasized that a new highlight of this year’s edition is the launch of a film industry networking program aimed at gradually expanding the market and creating opportunities for producers, distributors, film funds and international partners to connect.
DANAFF IV runs from June 28 to July 4 and is the largest edition of the festival to date. It brings together more than 1,000 delegates and guests from Vietnam and overseas, including many prominent figures from Asian cinema and Hollywood.