Latest news with #DaNangPeople'sCommittee
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Da Nang Asian Film Fest returns with broader scope
DA NANG, Vietnam — The third edition of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival kicked off Sunday under this year's slogan, 'Bridging Asia,' with aims to celebrate cinematic works rich in humanism. Jointly organized by the Da Nang People's Committee and the Vietnam Film Development Association, the weeklong festival runs through Saturday across major venues, resorts and theaters the coastal city. This year's edition marks an expansion in both scale and substance, featuring a more diverse selection of films, longer programming and enriched thematic content, according to the organizers. 'The theme for this year spotlights Vietnam War cinema on the occasion 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, exploring narratives of peace that resonate across Asia,' said Ngo Phuong Lan, president of the VFDA. 'We're also proud to present a special focus on Korean cinema, made possible by Korean Film Archive's director (Kim Hong-joon), who generously provided rare films spanning from the 1960s to the present. I hope this festival serves as a cultural bridge between Asia and the world through the language of film.' The film festival brings together powerful stories and artistic innovation from Vietnamese and Asia-Pacific filmmakers, offering new perspectives and celebrating cultural diversity. 'I was struck by the youthful energy here — it reminds me of the early days of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival,' Kim told The Korea Herald at the opening ceremony. 'As someone who has helped grow film festivals in Korea, I see that this festival has immense potential, and I'm eager to contribute however I can.' The 29th edition of the fantastic film festival in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, runs from Thursday to July 13. The Asian film competition in Da Nang saw a surge in submissions this year, with 14 selected entries, many of which have already gained recognition at prestigious film festivals. Among the most anticipated highlights is the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to legendary Korean director Im Kwon-taek, a towering figure in Korean cinema with over 100 films to his name. His masterpieces — "Seopyonje" (1993), "Chunhyang" (2000) and "Painted Fire" (2002), the last of which earned him the award for best director at Cannes — will be screened as part of the Focus on Korean Cinema program. In addition to its competition sections, DANAFF 2025 introduces new awards, including a film critics award for the Panorama of Asian Cinema section. Other prizes include the NETPAC Award for Vietnamese entries and the audience choice award within the Vietnamese Cinema Today program. Serving as jury president for the Asian film competition is acclaimed Korean director Jang Joon-hwan, known for "Save the Green Planet!" (2003) and "1987: When the Day Comes" (2017). The festival also includes a series of talent development workshops aimed at aspiring actors, led by Korean actor and lecturer Lydia Park. 'I've been training young actors in Da Nang for over a decade,' Park told The Korea Herald. 'With the establishment of the Da Nang Film Festival, it's now possible to cultivate Vietnamese talent in a more structured and rewarding way.' Several prominent Korean film figures, including director Jang Joon-hwan and actor Moon So-ri, who recently starred in Netflix series "When Life Gives You a Tangerine," as well as actor Park Sung-woong, graced the red carpet at the opening ceremony. Other key figures at DANAFF included Kim Dong-ho, founder of the Busan International Film Festival, current BIFF President Park Kwang-su and Shozo Ichiyama, director of the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Hans India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Guv Kambhampati suggests Odisha-Da Nang partnership during Vietnam visit
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who led a delegation to Vietnam to bring sacred relics of Lord Buddha back to India, proposed exploring province-level ties between Odisha and Da Nang city in Vietnam, as per an official statement released on Tuesday. The proposal was made during his meeting with H.E. Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee. The Governor said Odisha is a state with a rich history, strong cultural traditions, and fast economic growth. 'We also have many important Buddhist sites. If Da Nang is interested, we can explore building ties between our two regions,' he added. Kambhampati praised Da Nang as a beautiful and historic city, making huge progress. 'Da Nang has a vision to become a major port, a centre for high technology, finance, and tourism,' the Governor said. He added that Da Nang's location as a vibrant coastal city in central Vietnam makes it important for economic and trade cooperation between India and Vietnam. The Governor thanked the Vietnamese government and the people of Da Nang for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, which received an overwhelming response from the local population. 'These relics are accorded the highest protocol by the Government of India, and I have personally travelled to accompany them back,' he said. Governor Kambhampati said that Buddhism has been a strong link between India and Vietnam for nearly 1,800 years. He said India values its Buddhist heritage and is working hard to protect and promote Buddhist sites. He also spoke about the growing partnership between India and Vietnam. He mentioned the visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to India last year and a meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and Vietnam's President and Party General Secretary To Lam in New York in 2024, which helped strengthen ties. The Governor said cooperation between the two countries is expanding in areas like trade, defence, tourism, health, digital economy, education, and sustainable development. He praised Da Nang's support in working with the Indian Embassy to promote yoga, cultural exchange, and academic ties. He also noted that more direct flights between the two countries have helped improve people-to-people contact. Kambhampati also shared his experience of visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site at My Son in central Vietnam. He appreciated the work of the Indian archaeological team restoring ancient temples and said the project is a strong symbol of the close historical and cultural connection between India and Vietnam.
