Promoting Vietnamese cinema at the 38th Tokyo Film Festival: A mark of cooperation and integration

On the occasion of Vietnam's participation in the 38th Tokyo Film Festival (TIFFCOM) from October 27 to October 31, 2025, the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association (VFDA) in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan organized a series of activities to promote Vietnamese cinema with a special scale and significance, aiming to bring Vietnamese cinema to the world and promote cooperation in cinema between Vietnam and Japan as well as the Asian region.

The series of events includes: Booth promoting Vietnamese cinema at the Tokyo Film Festival Fair; Workshop "Vietnam on screen: Regional voice, reaching global level"; exchange program "Vietnam Night"; screening of the film Tunnels by director Bui Thac Chuyen.

Within the framework of the events, the Organizing Committee also introduced the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF), scheduled to take place in 2026.

According to Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan - President of the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema, Director of the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF), Vietnamese cinema is developing strongly and integrating more deeply into the region, becoming a bridge between East Asia and Southeast Asia thanks to its geographical location and rich cultural identity. Despite a late start, Vietnamese cinema is recovering impressively after the pandemic, with domestic film revenue and market share increasing to a record, reaching 44% in 2024, far surpassing many countries in the region.

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan speaks at the Workshop

Speaking at the Workshop, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu affirmed that with the attention of State management agencies, along with close coordination between organizations, associations, producers, investors and the media, Vietnam - Japan cinema cooperation will continue to be expanded, deepened and bring more practical values. The Ambassador emphasized that cinema is not only an art but also a soft power of the country, contributing to promoting tourism, investment, cultural exchange and strengthening friendship between the people of the two countries.

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu speaks at the Workshop

In addition, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan also attended and congratulated the film crew of "Tunnel" - a Vietnamese film selected to be screened at the 38th Tokyo Film Festival, marking the prominent presence of Vietnamese cinema at this prestigious international event.

The success of the series of events demonstrates the growing appeal and stature of Vietnamese cinema, and affirms the active supporting role of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan in spreading the image of the country and Vietnamese cinema to international friends.

President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Yuko Obuchi speaks at Vietnam Night

The Ambassador and his wife take a group photo with the Vietnamese delegation and Japanese friends