Hong Van surprised by Best Actress win
On the afternoon of September 24, the closing and awards ceremony for the Vietnamese Short Film Competition - Vietnamese 2026 took place in Ho Chi Minh City. This competition was organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper in collaboration with the Vietnam Cinema Association. Attendees included Mr. Bui Minh Thanh - Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan - Chairwoman of the Vietnam Cinema Association; director Ham Tran; actress Hong Anh; and director Nguyen Quang Dung...
Speaking at the ceremony, journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan - Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper - stated that after the third season, what makes the organizers of the Vietnamese Short Film Competition most proud is not only discovering great films but also seeing a young generation eager to tell their stories through cinema.
This year's competition attracted 171 submissions, with 145 valid entries and 20 films reaching the final round. The entries covered themes of family, memory, homeland, and the personal concerns of young people, while also demonstrating significant exploration in cinematography, sound design, and storytelling techniques.
Mr. Toan noted that while modern technology makes filmmaking more accessible, a compelling story remains the key factor that keeps audiences engaged until the very last second. Therefore, the competition does not just award prizes but also creates opportunities for young filmmakers to gain recognition and continue pursuing their craft. “A competition may only award one film, but the value of such a platform must be seen in what it opens up after the awards.
With Vietnamese, we are not just looking for the films of today, but hope to join young filmmakers in embarking on a longer journey for the cinema of tomorrow,” he shared.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan assessed that the competition has inspired and motivated young filmmakers. According to her, 171 submissions received in two months is an impressive figure. Through the judging process, Dr. Lan observed that the quality of this year's entries was more consistent than in previous seasons, with higher professionalism in storytelling, sound and lighting design, acting, and editing. “In the previous season, there were many good works, but the gap between films was perhaps larger, making the selection process somewhat easier. This year, the quality was quite uniform, which made the selection more difficult. That is a positive sign. We hope that next season will continue to see works that create even more powerful breakthroughs,” she said.
Upon receiving the Best Actress award for her role in The Kite Keeper, People's Artist Hong Van shared that she did not expect to win. When the nomination list was announced, she jokingly remarked that her mood at the time was “awkward if I win, and awkward if I don't.”
According to Hong Van, if she won, she would be happy because it was a form of recognition. However, she also felt that since she has been in the industry for a long time, while the competition is geared more toward young filmmakers, winning might feel like she was “taking a spot away from other young people.”
Hong Van explained that her reason for participating was to support the competition and because she had students entering films. Additionally, her son is studying film directing. The artist believes that veterans participating and supporting young filmmakers is a way to create continuity between generations.
Sharing the Best Actress award with Hong Van was Que Thanh, the lead actress of the film White Field. Hong Van said that receiving the award alongside a young actress made her feel it was “a very beautiful balance.” The Best Documentary Film award went to Keeping the Soul Warm. Speaking during the presentation, actress Hong Anh called documentary filmmakers “warriors,” as this is a unique genre where the people, locations, and events chosen are all real.
