THEMATIC FORUM: COLLABORATION BETWEEN YOUNG VIETNAMESE AND FRENCH FILMMAKERS
In recent years, Vietnamese cinema has witnessed the remarkable rise of a new generation of filmmakers – dynamic, bold, and creatively distinct. Independent and art-house films from Vietnam are increasingly appearing and receiving accolades at prestigious international film festivals, with some even making the Oscar shortlist. This emerging “new wave” is gradually shaping a modern and diverse identity for Vietnamese cinema on the global stage.
Against this backdrop, the thematic forum “Collaboration Between Young Vietnamese and French Filmmakers” was held at 2:00 PM on December 8, 2025, in Paris. The event created a direct dialogue space for filmmakers, producers, experts, and cinema organizations from both countries. It was part of Vietnam Film Week – The Journey of Light, co-organized by the Vietnam Film Development Promotion Association (VFDA) and AVSE Global, under the patronage of the Embassy of Vietnam in France.
Featuring Leading Vietnamese and French Cinema Experts
Vietnamese Representatives:
Dr. Phuong Lan Ngo– President, Vietnam Film Development Promotion Association
Producer Thi Bich Ngoc Tran – Glorious Ashes
Director Le Diem Ha – Children of the Mist
Director Quang Trung Dam – Elephants by the Roadside
French Representatives:
Mr. Michel Plazanet – Representative, CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée)
Producer Christophe Bruncher – Founder of the Ties That Bind program, Lecturer at La Fémis
Director Flavyen Dupont – Lecturer in Film Production & Post-production, ISCOM Paris
A Platform for Vietnam-France Dialogue
In her opening remarks, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan emphasized that Vietnamese cinema is entering a period of strong growth in both artistic quality and market presence.
According to Dr. Ngo, Vietnam’s domestic box office share has grown dramatically—from around 30% before the Covid-19 pandemic to nearly 50% in 2024, and it is expected to reach 65–70% in 2025. Alongside this market growth, Vietnamese independent and art-house films have also achieved notable success internationally, signaling the clear maturation of the new generation of filmmakers.
The forum focused on two main objectives: strengthening project development skills for young Vietnamese filmmakers and exploring opportunities for future Vietnam–France co-productions. Discussions highlighted the importance of training, project development, post-production support, and connections with international platforms.
Practical Challenges and International Perspectives
Young filmmakers shared their real-world experiences. Director Le Diem Ha noted that post-production funding remains one of the biggest challenges for independent documentaries in Vietnam. Drawing on these examples, international speakers shared insights on successful support models in Europe.
CNC representative Michel Plazanet reported that out of 24 projects supported financially by CNC, seven came from Vietnam—accounting for 29%—demonstrating the growing competitiveness of Vietnamese projects on the international stage.
Producer Christophe Bruncher emphasized that international collaboration relies on mutual understanding and trust. He noted that a project must be well-developed domestically before seeking foreign partners, while co-production models should remain flexible to suit each project’s needs.
Building an International Support Network
The forum aimed to connect cultural initiatives with the growth of the film industry through training, exchange, and long-term collaboration programs. It also served as a bridge linking young Vietnamese filmmakers with prestigious French and European institutions such as CNC, La Fémis, IF Paris, and regional initiatives like DANAFF Talents.
This network-building helps create sustainable support for emerging film talents across Vietnam, Europe, and Asia, while reinforcing Vietnam’s position as a dynamic and promising cinema hub.
Opportunities and Creative Potential
From a creative perspective, director Flavyen Dupont noted that Vietnamese cinema offers numerous possibilities for France–Vietnam co-productions, ranging from art-house to commercial films and from familiar genres to innovative experiments.
The forum concluded with a consensus among speakers that now is an opportune moment for bilateral collaboration in cinema. With strong interest from both filmmakers and audiences in France, the event is expected to serve as a springboard for long-term partnerships, helping Vietnamese cinema reach global audiences with high-quality, diverse, and culturally rich films.
