Phương MaiOn the morning of November 5, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VH-TT&DL) in coordination with the Hanoi People's Committee organized a press conference to introduce the 7th Hanoi International Film Festival in 2024 (LHP).
This cultural and artistic event aims to honor films with high artistic value, rich in humanity, outstanding creative imprint, unique from international and Vietnamese cinema.
Furthermore, the festival is also a practical activity to celebrate the nation's major holidays in 2024 and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (10/10/1954 - 10/10/2024).
Mr. Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of VH-TT&DL, Head of the Festival Steering Committee - sharing at the event (Photo: Nam Nguyen).
Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of VH-TT&DL, Head of the Festival Steering Committee - informed that out of over 500 registered films, the festival selected 117 feature films and short films from 51 countries and territories to be screened during the festival programs.
The colorful and diverse films showcase unique, creative styles, promising to create a vibrant, lively, and distinctive festival.
"Hanoi is ready to welcome delegates, distinguished guests, and artists attending the festival. The best quality cinemas and outdoor film screening locations in Hanoi have been carefully selected to screen the festival films to serve the audience in the best way," Mr. Ta Quang Dong shared.
Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong further stated that the Festival Organizing Committee has selected films of diverse genres, evaluated based on various criteria to introduce a comprehensive picture of the development of Vietnamese cinema in the past 2 years to the audience.
Accordingly, the Vietnamese feature film titled Once upon a Love Story will open the festival this time.
Mr. Vi Kien Thanh - Director of the Vietnam Cinema Department, Head of the Festival Organization Committee, shared that about 800 domestic and international delegates will attend the festival (Photo: Nam Nguyen).
Mr. Vi Kien Thanh - Director of the Vietnam Cinema Department, Head of the Festival Organization Committee, shared that the organizing committee has invited around 800 delegates as guests from both domestic and international participants to the event.
Among them are Mr. Kim Dong Ho - the founder and former Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival; Mr. Philip Cheah - program advisor for various international and Asian film festivals including the Shanghai International Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival...
Regarding the participation of director Truong Nghe Mưu and some famous international artists in the festival, Mr. Vi Kien Thanh stated: "This information is not accurate. Although inviting big international cinema stars to the event is always a concern and is set from the beginning. But this faces many difficulties."
Mr. Thanh gave two reasons: First, the festival usually takes place in November or December, which is when directors, producers, and artists are working on new film projects.
Some international stars are willing to come to Vietnam for the festival but due to being busy with their film projects, they cannot leave them.
The second reason is that international stars coming to Vietnam often have many accompanying requirements. Besides the requirements that we can meet such as: 5-star hotels, first-class airline tickets,... International stars usually have 3 to 5 entourage with them, if they also use first-class tickets and stay in 5-star hotels, it is very difficult for the festivals.
The festival will officially open on November 7 and the closing ceremony will take place on November 11 at the Hanoi Opera House.
The organizing committee stated that the opening and closing stages are inspired by traditional folk art culture interwoven with modern architectural icons of Hanoi, creating a youthful, vibrant atmosphere.
Actor Hua Vi Van (middle) at the press conference on the morning of November 5 (Photo: Anh Vu).
The predominant images also exude a deep Eastern spirit, both deeply Vietnamese traditional and elegant aesthetics, typical of Hanoi people.
Furthermore, to serve the audience, the Hanoi Cinema Culture Center will organize free screenings of Vietnamese films in the districts and towns of Hanoi within the framework of this year's festival.
