MISSION
The mission of Viet Film Fest is to celebrate Vietnamese stories and voices in cinema.
DESCRIPTION
Viet Film Fest was created in 2003 by the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA). As the largest international Vietnamese film festival of its kind in the world, Viet Film Fest showcases the best creative work by and about Vietnamese people. Through the universal language of film, Viet Film Fest brings together multiple perspectives to expand the scope and horizons of Vietnamese cinema.
Our award-winning films have been screened in numerous cities and countries. For over a decade, the festival has attracted thousands of national and international attention for its stunning showcase of shorts and features submitted from all over the world. As the hub of the Vietnamese movie industry, the festival hosts networking opportunities with prominent directors, media experts, and producers, including Tran Anh Hung (The Scent of Green Papaya), Tony Bui (Three Seasons), Ham Tran (Journey from the Fall), Victor Vu (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass), Ngo Thanh Van (Furie), and Charlie Nguyen (My Mr. Wife).
Viet Film Fest is looking for creative works from Vietnamese filmmakers and/or those that speak to the Vietnamese experience for our 2023 film festival to be held on Sept 30 - Oct 15, 2023. Due to the pandemic and the popularity of streaming platforms, VFF 2023 will be hosted online as well as some indoor theater screenings. Entry forms can be filled out online at www.vietfilmfest.com. The submission deadline is April 15, 2023 (Early Bird March 31, 2023).
About VAALA: Founded in 1991, the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association (VAALA) is a community-based, 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that seeks to connect and enrich communities through Vietnamese arts and culture.
Awards
The following awards will be presented:
- Grand Jury Trống Đồng Award for Best Feature
- Grand Jury Trống Đồng Award for Best Short
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Spotlight Award
Eligibility
- Feature-length and short productions of any content (not necessarily related to Vietnam) by persons of
Vietnamese descent OR productions by anyone (including non-Vietnamese) about Vietnamese people or culture - Entries from all around the world are accepted
- Entries in language(s) other than English must be subtitled in English in all media.
- Rough cuts are acceptable for screening, but final film versions must be complete to be shown in October 2022.
Submission Categories
- Short Film (Run time: 40 min or less) or Feature Film (Run time: 41 min or more)
- Genre
- Narrative
- Documentary
- Experimental
- Animation
Please submit your film once to the category that is most suitable for your film. If our programmers think your film may be suitable for another category, it will be recommended for further consideration.
If your film is submitted to the wrong category, you are responsible for any changes in submission fees. If the new category has a higher fee, you are responsible for paying the difference or risk ineligibility. We do not offer refunds.
Exhibition Formats
Feature-length: Digital; D-Cinema (DCP) with required Blu-Ray disc (NTSC)
Short film: Digital; D-Cinema (DCP) with required .MOV file conforming to Apple ProRes 422 HQ (1920 x 1080 24p 48kHz)
Preview Formats
Password-protected Vimeo (720p optimal) preferred, or secured online screener. Do not send physical formats (e.g., DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.)
Additional Submission Materials
- Synopsis
- Director’s statement (optional)
- Director’s bio
- Cast and crew listing
- Contact info
If your film is selected for exhibition, you are responsible for delivering the exhibition copy and other materials, such as trailer, poster, screener link, and press stills by the April 29th deadline. The Festival will use your materials for print and online promotion to maximize exposure to your film.
In the case that you need to update your materials, you’re allowed to re-submit ONCE by the deadline.
Entry Deadline & Fees
Deadline for all films:
Early Bird: March 18th, 2022
Regular: April 29, 2022
Fees:
| Short Film | Feature | |
| Early Bird – due 3/18/2022 | ||
| Student* | $20 | $35 |
| Non-Student | $25 | $45 |
| Regular Deadline – due 4/29/2022 | ||
| Student* | $30 | $45 |
| Non-Student | $35 | $55 |
**Student entries must attach student ID or proof of enrollment at an accredited university/school
Entries MUST BE UPLOADED ONLINE no later than April 29th, 2022. We will announce the final selections by end of June. Exhibition format: Digital and DCP only.
The Festival does not provide waivers. We understand the severe financial restrictions among many of our artists. However, we are a non-profit organization that also operates under limitations on resources and the entry fees allow us to produce the best possible festival to showcase your works. We encourage all artists to submit by the Early Bird deadline.
Shipping
Digital media of invited entries must be sent to the Festival by September 1. Viet Film Fest only pays for return shipments of prints. We cannot return international materials, so we highly recommend transferring final formats online.
DCP capability is limited and dependent on the screening venue. Viet Film Fest is not responsible for any shipping expenses of unapproved print formats. Please be prepared to have an alternate print format available. If approved for DCP, you must provide a backup format (such as Blu-ray or a digital file).
Subtitles
Invited entries in the language(s) other than English must be subtitled in English.
Disclaimers
Viet Film Fest reserves the right to cancel your screening with or without notice if the film is no longer suitable for the program.