Da Nang, Vietnam – The Third Danang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III) officially concluded on the evening of July 5, 2025, at the Ariyana Convention Centre Danang. The Closing Night shone brightly with the presence of top-tier film luminaries, including People’s Artist Nhu Quynh, Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan, Thuy Diem, Mai Thu Huyen, actor Quoc Cuong, Đinh Ngoc Diep, Truong The Vinh, alongside prominent contemporary names such as Tuan Tran, Quoc Anh, Phuong My Chi, Huynh Lap, “Detective Kien” Quoc Huy, Minh Anh, actress sisters Mai My Ngan – Mai Cat Vi, Lam Thanh My, Avin Lu, director Hoang Nam, SyNi Trang, as well as numerous film crews.

The Third Danang Asian Film Festival Closing Night at Ariyana Convention Centre Danang

Deputy Mayor Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, also Chair of the DANAFF III Organizing Committee, expressed at the closing ceremony, “The 2025 Danang Asian Film Festival is not only a significant cultural event for Da Nang but also a fantastic opportunity to connect the arts and cultures of regional countries… We take pride in Da Nang becoming a destination for meaningful film storytelling where cultural values are widely promoted.”

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People’s Committee and Head of the DANAFF III Organizing Committee, Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, shared her remarks at the closing ceremony.

The closing night burst into celebration with a star-studded guest list and a series of surprising award-winning films.

The grand finale drew a distinguished audience including Mr. Mai Van Chinh (Member, Central Party Committee; Deputy Prime Minister), Mr. Pham Dai Duong (Central Party Committee Member; Deputy Head of the Central Policy–Strategy Committee), Mr. Le Hai Binh (Alternate Member, Party Central Committee; Secretary-General, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), and Ms. Đinh Thi Mai (Deputy Head, Central Propaganda and Public Mobilization Commission). The event featured filmmakers, cinema experts, and artists from Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, India, Thailand, the Philippines, and beyond.

Over the course of the week, DANAFF III hosted nearly 200 screenings across Da Nang, including highlights like “Half-Century of Vietnamese War Films,” “Korean Cinema Focus,” and “Panorama of Asian and Vietnamese Film.” These attracted a broad audience of cinema enthusiasts.

At the Closing Night, several prestigious awards were announced:

• Critics’ Choice – Asian Film (under the “Panorama of Asian Cinema” segment): Sunday (Uzbekistan)

• Audience Choice – Favorite Vietnamese Film: De Men – Cuoc Phieu Luu Toi Xom Lay Loi

• NETPAC Award for Best Vietnamese Film: The Real Sister

Vietnamese Film Competition Awards:

• Best Screenplay: The Real Sister

• Best Actress: Viet Huong

• Best Actor: Tuan Tran

• Best Director: Victor Vu

• Jury Special Prize: Legend of the Golden Buffalo

• Best Vietnamese Film: The Real Sister

Asian Film Competition Awards:

• Best Screenplay: Muddy Foot

• Best Actress: Nurzhan Beksultanova

• Best Actor: Kang‑Sheng Lee

• Best Director: Guan Hu (Black Dog)

• Jury Special Prize: Don’t Cry, Butterfly

• Best Asian Film: Dead at the Border

In a highlight moment, director Khuong Ngoc, representing The Real Sister’s team, collected four Vietnamese film awards—Best Screenplay, Best Actress, the NETPAC Award, and Best Vietnamese Film. He shared emotionally: “I once dreamed of stepping on a film festival stage to receive an award, and today, the universe has granted that dream. This is my fourth time standing here.”

Director Khuong Ngoc receiving the awards and delivering an emotional speech at the ceremony.

The festival also shone an international spotlight on films debuting globally at DANAFF III, including Family Secrets(South Korea), How to Forget You (Japan), Out of Order (Philippines), and Father (Mongolia), which garnered enthusiastic acclaim from both critics and audiences. Their participation highlighted DANAFF III’s role as a venue for global film premieres.

DANAFF’s Expanded Scope: Elevating Vietnamese and Asian Cinema Worldwide

This year’s festival expanded to seven days of programming—up from five—with approximately 200 screenings across Da Nang’s cinemas. The three international symposiums—covering young talent development, Korean cinema insights, and war cinema’s legacy—brought together prominent domestic and international filmmakers, critics, and scholars, fostering rich exchange and shaping a modern, culturally rooted Vietnamese cinema.

The DANAFF TALENTS program, which supported 52 emerging acting talents, 14 Asian film projects in the “Project Incubator,” and a “Master Class” led by leading experts, showcased the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of cinematic storytellers across Vietnam and Asia.

DANAFF III Officially Concludes, Affirming Cinema as a New Catalyst in Da Nang’s Development Strategy

Following a series of artistically uplifting moments, DANAFF III came to a close in the warm admiration of thousands of spectators and received high praise from industry professionals.

A panoramic view of the DANAFF III Closing Night.

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan—Festival Director and President of the Vietnam Film Promotion and Development Association—said: “With a format surpassing previous years, DANAFF III screened 106 films, introduced new programming and awards (including critics’ prizes), and was officially recognized by UNESCO as a ‘20th Anniversary Celebration of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Diversity.’ Many Asian and Vietnamese films chose DANAFF III for their international premiere. We believe the festival has left a deep impression and look forward to seeing you at DANAFF IV in 2026.”

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan – Director of DANAFF III and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema – delivered the opening remarks at the closing ceremony.

The event not only stood out for its grand scale of organization, but also once again affirmed the pivotal role of cinema in Da Nang’s cultural and tourism development strategy during this era of the city’s dynamic growth.

Mr. André Pierre Gentzsch, CEO of Furama–Ariyana Danang international resort, commented, “We are proud to partner with the Danang Asian Film Festival. Furama–Ariyana will continue to serve as a bridge between cinema and tourism, elevating Da Nang’s profile on the international stage.”

A spectacular finale moment of the DANAFF III Closing Night at Ariyana Danang International Convention Centre.

The success of the Closing Night validates the enduring appeal of the “city of lights” and the local government’s vision in positioning cinema as a strategic cultural pillar. With such inspiring stories and wide-reaching impact, DANAFF III created a lasting imprint while promoting Da Nang’s vibrant, creative identity to a global audience.

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