(Dan Tri) – At the seminar `Cinema Development in Ho Chi Minh City`, filmmakers raised the difficulty of lacking film studios and recording contexts.
On April 7, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City organized a discussion on Cinema Development in Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of representatives of management agencies and Vietnamese filmmakers.
This is also an activity within the framework of the first Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF 2024).
Introduction about Vietnamese cinema by Ms. Ngo Bich Hanh – Vice President of BHD Company (Photo: Bich Phuong).
At the seminar, experts identified Vietnamese cinema as one of the fastest growing film industries in the world with a growth rate of about 21% annually in recent years.
Vietnam has a large population and a growing economy, so it has the potential to become the top 10 countries with the largest box office in the world in the coming years.
However, the Vietnamese cinema industry also has some shortcomings such as hot development speed, high theater operating costs, so profitability is not good, and many potential risks and difficulties after Covid-19.
Producer Mai Thu Huyen is one of the speakers at the discussion (Photo: Bich Phuong).
At the discussion session `Dialogue between Ho Chi Minh City and filmmakers`, producer Mai Thu Huyen frankly shared her views with Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu – Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Development Research Institute, People’s Artist Thanh Thuy – Deputy Director
Thereby, the speakers discussed what specific policies Ho Chi Minh City could have to support the film industry, and how to make cinema most effectively promote tourism and the brand of Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Ms. Mai Thu Huyen, one of the difficulties in film production is the lack of large-scale studios, thousands of square meters wide.
Ms. Ngo Bich Hanh – co-founder, Vice President of BHD Company and moderator of the discussion session – said that cinema not only brings jobs, revenue, profits and taxes, but also develops tourism and other activities.
`Southern Forest Land` has a setting with a large budget investment (Photo: Provided by the film crew).
Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu said that Ho Chi Minh City has a lot of vacant land that can be used as temporary film studios.
People’s Artist Thanh Thuy affirmed that over the past years, Ho Chi Minh City has paid attention to and facilitated administrative procedures and supported film crews in many ways.
The city especially creates favorable conditions for film crews to carry out historical, political, revolutionary topics with positive values, thereby contributing to promoting and developing culture, such as the film Tunnels.
Regarding difficulties, Ms. Thanh Thuy said that a movie is filmed in many localities, while security, order and traffic safety in each locality are of different nature.
Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has developed coordination regulations between relevant departments and districts to make it easier for film crews to apply for licenses from focal points.
Regarding the issue of professional, large-scale film studios, Ms. Thanh Thuy said that city leaders at all levels apply the special mechanism of Resolution 98/2023/QH15, thereby reviewing and proposing a list of projects.
`We already have mechanisms to lend money to filmmakers. When implementing Resolution 98, Ho Chi Minh City had 23 more projects calling for investment in the field of culture and sports.
To develop cultural facilities, the city has a specific roadmap.
Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee gave flowers to speakers and guests (Photo: Bich Phuong).
Speaking to summarize the discussion, Mr. Duong Anh Duc – Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee – once again affirmed that the city’s leaders always pay attention, research policies, and call for foreign investment capital to develop cinema.
`Cinema development is not only about financial and monetary issues but also about cultural roots. The cinema industry will create a dual impact, contributing to building the socio-economy, increasing GDP, and creating a reputation for value.
