One of DANAFF IV's greatest achievements was its international media reach. More than 40 major news organizations from the Republic of Korea, the United States, Bangladesh, Italy, Türkiye, and France covered the festival. Throughout the event, Variety, an American entertainment magazine, published a series of in-depth reports, ranging from an exclusive feature on DANAFF Industry Days to a spotlight on the return of Vietnamese American actress Kieu Chinh to compete in Vietnam with the film Chrysalis, a U.S.-Vietnam co-production directed by Jordan Schulz.
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Hollywood actress Jane Seymour shared her acting experience with young Vietnamese actors and filmmakers during DANAFF IV. |
The festival successfully combined star appeal with industry development. The RoK media closely followed participating artists in Da Nang, while actor Ji Chang-wook's appearance and recognition at the festival attracted widespread attention from outlets including The Fact, Sports Donga, and BNT News. Actor Ji Seung-hyun returned for a second consecutive year, and rising actress Han Dong-hee was highlighted by SBS News, Newsen, and Star News for promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and the RoK.
A key milestone of DANAFF IV was the launch of DANAFF Industry Days, a forum where Vietnamese filmmakers presented projects to international producers and investment funds. Variety described the initiative as a structural advancement that positions DANAFF not only as a film festival but also as a regional marketplace for film production and collaboration.
The forum also drew attention after Dinh Thanh Huong, Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Studio, revealed that Vietnamese films accounted for 70.6 percent of the domestic box office during the first five months of 2026. Variety featured the figures in an article highlighting Vietnam's growing film market and calling for greater international co-productions, further reinforcing the country's potential as a filmmaking partner.
The festival's international impact was also reflected in media coverage from countries whose films received awards. Bangladesh's Roid, directed by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, won the Critics' Award for Best Asian Film, while Turkish entertainment outlets Birsen Altuntas and Sinemalar reported on the success of actor Caner Cindoruk and director Emin Alper, whose film Salvation received top honors. These awards not only recognized artistic excellence but also strengthened the international profile of Vietnam, Da Nang, and the DANAFF brand.
The festival's development aligns with the Politburo’s Resolution No.80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, which emphasizes expanding cultural industries, strengthening cultural markets, promoting international integration, and enhancing the country's global image. DANAFF IV demonstrated this vision by balancing commercial opportunities with artistic quality.
According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema and Chair of DANAFF, film festivals such as DANAFF play a vital role in guiding the industry's development. Beyond screening films and presenting awards, they help raise professional standards, foster creativity, and establish new benchmarks for Vietnamese cinema.
The RoK's Hankook Ilbo noted that, supported by established festivals such as DANAFF, Vietnamese cinema has the potential to follow a path similar to that of the Korean film industry in gaining international recognition.
DANAFF IV also strengthened its commitment to talent development through cooperation between DANAFF Talents and Produire au Sud, the training program of France's Festival des 3 Continents. The initiative provides emerging filmmakers with opportunities to work with international mentors, refine scripts and project proposals, and present their projects to film funds and investors, helping build long-term capacity for Vietnam's film industry.
By establishing itself as a respected and professionally managed international film festival, DANAFF is helping Vietnamese cinema move closer to global standards while enhancing Da Nang's reputation as a dynamic creative city and supporting Vietnam's broader strategy for developing its cultural industries.
Translated by Tran Hoai