Cinema fans will have the opportunity to enjoy free screenings of 19 documentary films at the 13th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival, scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

This year, the festival will present works from eight countries, including the UK, Austria, Italy, Germany, Spain, Finland, Belgium (Wallonie-Brussels Delegation), and host Vietnam.

These works focus on such topics as climate change, environmental pollution, gender equality, and ways to protect and coexist peacefully with nature.

This annual cultural event is co-organized by the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the European National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC).

Director Trinh Quang Tung, deputy head of the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, said the festival is a cultural exchange activity that has left audiences with a good impression over the years.

Through the festival, film buffs can explore more about the people and culture of Vietnam and European countries, as well as the relations between humans and current global issues, Tung said.

The 13th edition is expected to enable Vietnamese artists and film producers to broaden their experience in the film industry and come up with new ideas, Tung added.

Among the seven international works to be featured at the festival, a few have won prestigious awards and nominations such as ‘The Happy Worker,' ‘Sous Le Nom De Tania,' ‘Die Unbeugsamen’ (Femocracy), and ‘Living Proof: A Climate Story.'

The seven films from EU nations highlight the topics of climate change, environmental protection, and peaceful coexistence with nature, including ‘Vesuvio’ or ‘How They Learned To Live Between Volcanoes’ (Italy), ‘Living Proof: A Climate Story’ (the UK), ‘Matter Out Of Place’ (Austria).

Film enthusiasts can also explore stories about other contemporary global issues including employment in ‘The Happy Worker’ (Finland), and women’s rights and gender equality in ‘Sous Le Nom De Tania’ (Wallonie-Brussels) and ‘Die Unbeugsamen’ (Germany).

Donna McGowan, director of the British Council in Vietnam, said the film festival will help us reflect on contemporary global issues.

“Vietnam is vulnerable to climate change. Audiences will learn more about issues this country is encountering,” McGowan elaborated.

The 12 Vietnamese films at the event tell stories about environmental pollution, the post-war period, cybercrimes, wildlife protection, epidemics, and gender equality.

The festival will also feature documentary films by independent authors, comprising ‘Children Of The Mist’ (Vietnam), ‘Road Back To The Wild’ (Vietnam), and ‘I Want To Breathe’ (Vietnam).

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