tokyo Film Festival Spotlights Vietnamese Cinema, Forging International Partnerships
TOKYO – The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is serving as a platform to elevate Vietnamese cinema onto the global stage, fostering collaborations and strengthening cultural ties between Vietnam and Japan. A recent workshop focused on vietnamese films, attracting over 350 international guests, industry leaders, and representatives from cultural and film institutions.
The event underscores film’s role as a “soft power” for nations, promoting tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. Seiko Noda, President of the Council for the Promotion of Japanese Film, expressed hope that increased film exchange will deepen understanding between the two countries and create opportunities for co-productions with global appeal. A shared ambition was voiced for Vietnamese and Japanese films to become “amiable rivals” at future Academy Awards.
The Vietnam Film Growth Association (VFDA) used the festival to highlight initiatives supporting film cooperation, including the PAI Index and the Danang Film Festival (DANAFF). VFDA Chairman Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan invited international attendees to the 4th Danang Film Festival (DANAFF IV), scheduled for summer 2026.
Representatives from Vietnamese provinces – Da Nang, Son La, Dien Bien, Hai Phong, and quang Ninh – also presented the potential for film industry development within their regions. The festival activities culminated in a “Vietnam Night” exchange program.
