The KONima+ independent film screening took place at VAIB Studio, gathering more than 500 young audiences and filmmakers. In the open space alone, 24 projects were introduced, 12 short films were screened and dozens of professional connections were formed, affirming the vitality of the independent film community of Vietnam.
The highlight of KONima+ is the Connecting Station - the first experimental model of the "cinema project fair" in Ho Chi Minh City. Young filmmakers display their projects through posters, post cards, and sticker to find production and post-production collaborators and distributors. 24 diverse projects of all genres have appeared, creating a vibrant atmosphere no different from a miniature film market.
At the same time, 12 special short films were shown, touching many topics: maturity, memories, family, identity, and aspiration for freedom. Notably, the film "Ideal mushroom" by Nguyen Le Hoang Phuc - which participated in the 2025 rotating International Film Festival had its first screening in Vietnam.
The event attracted more attention when there were the participation of director Ham Tran, the "father" of the films Bui Doi Cho Lon, Doat Duong, Tiem Dia Dia Dia Dia and the new project "Tu Chien Tren Khong". Appearing simply, he shared: I feel very inspired to see the new generation of filmmakers meeting here, contributing and connecting, sharing their talents. According to the director, a serious working attitude is the decisive factor for young filmmakers to go the long way.
The two judges Nhat Niy and Phan Hanh Nguyen said that KONima+ originated from a small 35 m2 screening room, and after 9 periods, it has developed into a "community playground" 10 times larger than the original scale. With music, exhibitions, and challenges in making fast-paced films, events are not only a place to watch films but also become a multi-dimensional creative space.
KONima+ 2025 shows that Vietnamese independent cinema, despite limited resources, can still spread strongly thanks to community connection initiatives. As director Ham Tran said, this is not only a source of inspiration for the audience but also gives those who have gone before confidence in a new generation of filmmakers, ready to continue the journey of Vietnamese cinema.
