Producers and filmmakers gather to seek investment in cinema

Investors and filmmakers are coming together at the film project market, running from November 7-11 as part of the Hanoi International Film Festival 2024 (HANIFF), to seek opportunities for investment and collaboration on promising film projects in Vietnam.

This marks the fourth year the film project market has been held within the framework of HANIFF, with support from the Vietnam Cinema Department (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), and in cooperation with BHD and Vietnam Media Corporation.

Filmmakers and producers gathered at HANIFF's project market to seek collaboration. Photo: Dao Anh Vu

This year’s programme features a jury panel made up of experienced professionals from the film industry, including directors, heads of production companies, and both domestic and international filmmakers and curators.

The jury includes Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, chairman of BHD, who has over 20 years of experience in both television and film production and is currently active as a producer. Joining him on the jury is French film curator Thibaut Bracq, who has extensive experience in providing consultancy and production support for films.

Also on the jury is Jodi Hilderbrand, a seasoned American producer with experience across film, television, and media projects, alongside Lee Jin Sung, director of Run Up Vietnam, who brings over 20 years of experience in film production, having previously worked at Lotte Entertainment in South Korea and served as director of Lotte Entertainment Vietnam for five years.

The programme aims to foster connections between filmmakers and investors, encouraging investment in promising projects and facilitating the exchange of knowledge on film production and distribution.

This year’s film project market also showcases a diverse and inclusive range of projects, with representatives from over 20 countries and territories. The projects span from commercially successful films with broad public appeal to auteur-driven art-house films.

Out of more than 70 entries, eight projects were selected by the jury to proceed to the pitching round. These include three from Vietnam and one each from Turkey, India, Malaysia, and Argentina.

In addition, the best project will be awarded VND135 million ($5,340), while the jury award offers opportunities for further networking and project exposure to potential investors and producers.

Hanoi International Film Festival to feature Vietnamese and international offerings The Hanoi International Film Festival, set for November 7-11, will showcase a selection of Vietnamese and international films, offering a platform for networking between filmmakers from both regions.

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