# 21st Vietnam Film Festival

The 21st Vietnam Film Festival was held from November 23 to November 27, 2019, in Vũng Tàu City, Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, Vietnam, with the slogan "Building a national, humane, creative and integrated Vietnamese film industry" (Vietnamese: "Xây dựng nền công nghiệp điện ảnh Việt Nam dân tộc, nhân văn, sáng tạo và hội nhập").

## Event

This is the first film festival held in Vũng Tàu city. The award system this year has not changed. Starting from the 20th Vietnam Film Festival, the organizers have emphasized the "cinematic" nature of this award by removing direct-to-video films from the award system. This film festival is completely a playground for all categories of cinema. The festival continues to have the Audience Choice Award for "Most Favorite Film" to attend the "Panorama Program" in addition to the traditional awards for outstanding individuals and cinematic works in 4 categories: Feature film; Documentary; Science film and Animated film.
In the end, 3 Golden Lotus award were given to films in categories: feature film, documentary film and animated film.

### Participation

According to the regulations of the 21st Vietnam Film Festival, films participating in the festival are those that are licensed to distribute films between September 11, 2017, and September 10, 2019, using the Vietnamese language, produced by Vietnamese film establishments or in cooperation with foreign organizations, individuals and without copyright disputes.
Films participating in the 21st Vietnam Film Festival must be films that have not yet participated in the National Television Festival. Remake films (based on foreign scripts/films) can register to attend all programs of the Festival. In case the film is selected for the "In Competition" section, the awards for individual directors, actors, cinematographers, painters, sound, music, except for films and screenplay writers will be considered.
The total number of films approved for the "In Competition" section this year is 74 films belonging to 4 film genres: 16 feature films, 29 documentaries, 9 science films, and 20 animated films. In addition, the section "Panorama Program" showcases 14 feature films and 16 documentaries.

### Jury

The jury panels of the 21st Vietnam Film Festival were announced on November 8.
Accordingly, the jury in the Feature Film category consists of 9 members:
* Doctor Trần Luân Kim, Former President of Vietnam Cinema Association (Head)
* Actress/producer Trương Ngọc Ánh
* Screenwriter Hoàng Nhuận Cầm
* Director Bùi Tuấn Dũng
* Journalist Hữu Việt
* Director Lê Thanh Sơn
* Composer Trọng Đài
* Painter Nguyễn Trung Phan
* Cinematographer Nguyễn Nam
In the Documentary - Science category, the jury consists of 7 members:
* Director Lê Hồng Chương (Head)
* Journalist Trần Việt Văn
* Journalist Đinh Trọng Tuấn
* Director Vũ Hoài Nam
* Screenwriter Nguyễn Thu Dung
* Director/journalist Tô Hoàng
* Director Nguyễn Tường Phương
The jury of the Animated category consists of 5 members:
* Animator Nguyễn Thị Phương Hoa (Head)
* Master Nguyễn Quang Trung
* Composer Phạm Ngọc Khôi
* Journalist Chu Thu Hằng
* Animator Đỗ Lệnh Hùng Tú

### Activities

Film week to celebrate the 21st Vietnam Film Festival takes place from November 6 to 12, 2019 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Film Week is chaired by the Cinema Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), in collaboration with the National Cinema Center and Dcine Joint Stock Company. The opening ceremony of Film Week will take place on the evening of November 6 at the National Cinema Center, 87 Láng Hạ street, Ba Đình district, which is also a movie screening venue of Hanoi. Audiences in Ho Chi Minh City can watch movies at Dcine Bến Thành Cinema, 06 Mạc Đĩnh Chi street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1. Each film will be screened once a week. 2 invitations is maximum for an audience. Invitation to see the film has been sent by the Cinema Department to the movie screening locations.
From November 23, the Film Festival officially started with many activities to praise and introduce to the public Vietnamese cinematic works imbued with national identity, rich in humanity, with creative imprints; honoring film artists with outstanding artistic achievements. The schedule of activities of the festival is as follows:
November 23:
* Offering incense and visiting Martyrs' Monument in Vũng Tàu City, 7:30.
* Opening of the photo exhibition "Vietnam's seas and islands through a cinematic perspective" (Vietnamese: "Biển đảo Việt Nam qua góc nhìn điện ảnh"). It starts at 9:00 in the Revolutionary Traditional House, 01 Bacu Street, Vũng Tàu City).
* Press conference before the opening of the Film Festival (10:30, at Pullman Vung Tau Hotel).
* The opening ceremony of the 21st Vietnam Film Festival (20:00, at Pullman Vung Tau Hotel).
November 24:
* Seminar on "Film scene in Vietnam" (Vietnamese: "Bối cảnh quay phim tại Việt Nam"). It takes place at 9:00 in Pullman Hotel.
* Exchange of film artists with the audience and students (14:00, at the Provincial Youth Cultural House).
November 25:
* Seminar "Improving the quality of Vietnamese cinema in international integration" (Vietnamese: "Nâng cao chất lượng điện ảnh Việt Nam trong hội nhập quốc tế"). It takes place at 9:00 in Pullman Hotel.
* Exchange of film artists with soldiers of the armed forces (14:00, at the Provincial Youth Cultural House).
November 26:
* Program to visit the scenic spots of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province (from 8:00 to 16:00).
* Rehearsal of Closing and Awards Ceremony (18:00, at Pullman Vung Tau Hotel).
November 27:
* Closing and awarding ceremony of the 21st Vietnam Film Festival (20:00, at Pullman Vung Tau hotel).
During the festival, the cinematographic works of the contest will be screened for free for the audience at cinemas: Lotte Cinema Vũng Tàu (Lotte Mart supermarket, 3/2 street, Vũng Tàu City), CGV Lam Sơn Square (09, Le Lợi street, Vũng Tàu City), CGV Lapen Center (30A, 30/4 street, Vũng Tàu City) and Bà Rịa Cinema (320, Cách Mạng Tháng Tám street, Bà Rịa City). Audiences can come to the above cinemas to receive free movie tickets.
The opening and closing ceremonies were broadcast live on channels: Culture and Tourism TV channel (Vietnam Journey), VTC1, VTC9 and VOV3.

## Official Selection
### Feature film
#### In Competition

| Original title | English title | Director(s) | Production |
| 11 niềm hy vọng | 11 Hopes | Robie Nguyễn | Metan Entertainment |
| 100 ngày bên em | 100 Days of Sunshine | Vũ Ngọc Phượng | Galaxy M&E, Ingame Online, Kross Pictures |
| Anh thầy ngôi sao | Superstar Teacher | Đỗ Đức Thịnh | CJ HK Entertainment, Thiên Phúc Entertainment |
| Cua lại vợ bầu | Win My Baby Back | Nhất Trung | ABC Pictures, NT Studio, NHV Entertainment |
| Hai Phượng | Furie | Lê Văn Kiệt | Premiere Pictures, Studio68, NHV Entertainment |
| Hạnh phúc của mẹ | The Happiness of a Mother | Huỳnh Đông | Diệp Cơ Entertainment, PNJ, CGV |
| Hợp đồng bán mình | | Trần Ngọc Phong | Giải Phóng Film |
| Khi con là nhà | My Son Is My Home | Vũ Ngọc Đãng | Song Ngư Films |
| Lật mặt: Nhà có khách | Face Off: The Walking Guests | Lý Hải | Lý Hải Productions, Hoàng Phúc International, CGV |
| Người bất tử | The Immortal | Victor Vu | CJ Entertainment |
| Nơi ta không thuộc về | | Đặng Thái Huyền | People's Army Cinema |
| Song lang | Song Lang/The Tap Box | Leon Quang Lê | Studio 68, CréaTV |
| Tháng năm rực rỡ | Go-Go Sisters | Nguyễn Quang Dũng | CJ Entertainment, HKFilm |
| Thạch Thảo | Forget Me Not | Mai Thế Hiệp | Galaxy M&E, Fortune Projects |
| Thưa mẹ con đi | Goodbye Mother | Trịnh Đình Lê Minh | (independent film) |
| Truyền thuyết về Quán Tiên | Wartime Flowers | Đinh Tuấn Vũ | Hồng Ngát Film, DV&H Creative |
    Highlighted title indicates Golden Lotus winner.

#### Panorama Program

| Original title | English title | Director(s) | Production |
| 798Mười | 798Ten | Dustin Nguyễn | Galaxy M&E, Dream Events |
| Chị Mười Ba | 13rd Sister | Võ Thanh Hòa | Thu Trang Entertainment, Galaxy M&E |
| Chú ơi, đừng lấy mẹ con! | Please Don't Marry My Mom | Đinh Tuấn Vũ | Midia, CGV, Dung Bình Dương JSC |
| Giã từ cô đơn | | Lê Cung Bắc | (independent film) |
| Giấc mơ Mỹ | The American Dream | Davina Hồng Ngân | Tincom Media |
| Hồn papa da con gái | Daddy Issues | Ochiai Ken | Chánh Phương Film |
| Tháng 5 để dành | Sunset Promise | Lê Hà Nguyên | (independent film) |
| Thật tuyệt vời khi ở bên em | Heavenly Being with You | Luk Vân | Green Map Films, CGV, ClipTV |
| Tìm chồng cho mẹ | | Thủy Trần | Hổ Cáp Company |
| Trạng Quỳnh | | Đỗ Đức Thịnh | Thiên Phúc Entertainment |
| Truyện ngắn | Short Stories | Cao Trung Hiếu | Viet Vision |
| Ước hẹn mùa thu | Autumn Promise | Nguyễn Quang Dũng | Galaxy M&E, HKFilm |
| Vô gian đạo | | Trần Việt Anh | Avatar Entertainment |
| Vu quy đại náo | The Perfect Wedding | Lê Thiện Viễn | Liveon, CJ HK Entertainment |
    Highlighted title indicates the most favorite film voted by the audience.

## Awards
### Feature film

| Award | Award | Winner |
| Film | Golden Lotus | Song Lang |
| Film | Silver Lotus | Win My Baby Back Furie Wartime Flowers |
| Film | Jury's Merit | 100 Days of Sunshine |
| Film | Audience Choice | Please Don't Marry My Mom |
| Best Director | Best Director | Leon Quang Lê – Song Lang |
| Best Actor | Best Actor | Trấn Thành – Win My Baby Back |
| Best Actress | Best Actress | Hoàng Yến Chibi – Go-Go Sisters |
| Best Supporting Actor | Best Supporting Actor | Isaac – Song Lang |
| Best Supporting Actress | Best Supporting Actress | Mai Cát Vi – Furie |
| Best Screenplay | Best Screenplay | Nhất Trung – Win My Baby Back |
| Best Cinematography | Best Cinematography | Nguyễn K'Linh – The Immortal |
| Best Art Design | Best Art Design | Ghia Phạm – Song Lang |
| Best Original Score | Best Original Score | Trần Mạnh Hùng – Wartime Flowers |
| Best Sound Design | Best Sound Design | Vũ Thành Long – Song Lang |

### Documentary/Science film
#### Documentary film

| Award | Award | Winner |
| Film | Golden Lotus | Chông chênh |
| Film | Silver Lotus | Chư Tan Kra Joris Ivens và ngọn gió Việt Nam |
| Film | Jury's Merit | Ở nơi cửa ngõ Hoàng Sa Trại Davis Điểm tựa bình yên |
| Best Director | Best Director | Trần Tuấn Hiệp – Ở nơi cửa ngõ Hoàng Sa, Ông Hai Lúa, Thanh niên cứu quốc thành Hoàng Diệu |
| Best Screenplay | Best Screenplay | Tạ Thị Huệ – Lão gàn Hồ Mơ |
| Best Cinematography | Best Cinematography | Tạ Đức Nguyên – Tâm tình của gốm |
| Best Sound Design | Best Sound Design | Nguyễn Vinh Khoa – Nhớ biển |

#### Science film

| Award | Award | Winner |
| Film | Golden Lotus | not awarded |
| Film | Silver Lotus | Cuộc chiến chống đại dịch SARS Ô nhiễm nhựa ở biển |
| Film | Jury's Merit | Trầm cảm sau sinh Ghép tạng |
| Best Director | Best Director | not awarded |
| Best Screenplay | Best Screenplay | Lê Danh Trường – Ghép tạng |
| Best Cinematography | Best Cinematography | Nguyễn Thanh Bình – Khu bảo tồn thiên nhiên Xuân Liên |
| Best Sound Design | Best Sound Design | Dương Thế Vinh – Trầm cảm sau sinh |

### Animated film

| Award | Award | Winner |
| Film | Golden Lotus | Người anh hùng áo vải |
| Film | Silver Lotus | Vầng sáng ấm áp Sắc màu những ô cửa Bí mật của những đứa trẻ |
| Film | Jury's Merit | Bí mật hang Duôn Tàn thể: Tiền truyện |
| Best Director | Best Director | Vũ Duy Khánh – Vầng sáng ấm áp |
| Best Screenplay | Best Screenplay | Phạm Thị Thanh Hà – Vầng sáng ấm áp |
| Best Shaping Animator | Best Shaping Animator | Bùi Mạnh Quang – Ngôi sao xanh kỳ lạ, Truyền thuyết thác Pongour |
| Best Acting Animator | Best Acting Animator | The Animator Crew of Người anh hùng áo vải |
| Best Original Score | Best Original Score | Lương Ngọc Châu – Người anh hùng áo vải |
| Best Sound Design | Best Sound Design | Nguyễn Duy Long – Bí mật hang Duôn |