Vietnam’s filmmakers have potential to compete at int’l level

Vietnamese directors have the potential to make excellent films that can compete for international prizes, an international prize-winning director, Bui Thac Chuyen, said recently.

According to Mr. Chuyen, local directors have to actively contact potential sponsors and persuade them to invest money into their scripts.

Any director can make a film good enough to compete at international festivals as long as their films are of substance and made with 35 mm film, said the director who was the first Vietnamese to win a prize at the prestigious International Cannes Film Festival.

Mr. Chuyen’s “The Night Cyclo Trip” (Une course de nuit) won first prize in the short film category at Cannes in 2000.

He said his film’s success was thanks to the support of Cinémafondation, under the Cannes Film Festival, which granted sponsorships for student cinematographers worldwide for their projects.

Since 1998, the International Cannes Film Festival has accepted student films in efforts to uncover new talents.

In 2000, Cinémafondation launched its scholarship program to annually support six young directors to compete at Cannes.

The beneficiaries of the program get free accommodations and ideal working environments for 18 weeks to write their scripts.

This year, Cinémafondation also unveiled another program called Atelier du festival which helps young filmmakers find financial supporters.

Reported by Ai Thuong – Translated by Quynh Nhu.
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 23 May, 2005, 13:35:55 (GMT+7)
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