Organizers selected 25 outstanding films from more than 100 submissions for screening at 14 sessions in Paris and Lorient (France), Prague (Czech Republic), and Brussels (Belgium). All selected works were produced by filmmakers under the age of 30, including several directors younger than 18.
The documentaries offer fresh and diverse perspectives on contemporary Vietnamese life and culture – traditional tuồng (classical opera) performers preserving their craft behind the spotlight, a dedicated teacher bringing education to children in remote mountain areas, Tà Ôi ethnic minority women preserving their weaving heritage, and new multisensory ways of experiencing Hanoi.
The filmmakers come from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, VinUniversity, The Dewey Schools, Hanoi University, and other establishments.
Dao Quang Le, a high school student at the Foreign Language Specialized School and a member of the team behind the short documentary Hanoi Through Five Senses, said: "This festival is particularly well suited to young people. It focuses on short documentaries that highlight Vietnamese culture, giving young filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work to internationally renowned filmmakers and the general audience."
Hoang Thu Trang, a member of the organizing committee, said: "Viet Culture in Motion is a project that I and the Art Space Association have nurtured for a long time, with the hope of sharing Vietnam’s stories with the world through the perspectives of young documentary filmmakers. After nearly a year of working with some 35 schools in Vietnam, we received more than 100 short documentaries and selected 25 films for screening in 14 sessions in several European countries."
Just days after registration opened, all four screenings in Paris were fully booked. More than 600 people signed up to attend, including members of the Vietnamese community in France, students, and cultural researchers.
Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director of the Vietnam Cultural Center in France, said: "The films shown in Paris will evoke deep emotions. Meaningful stories told through simple, everyday moments in Hanoi and other localities will help overseas Vietnamese and French audiences appreciate the beauty of Vietnamese culture."
Today’s younger generation is leveraging the advantages of the digital era to become cultural ambassadors, bringing Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage to audiences around the world.
