Within the framework of the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV), the DANAFF Talents 2026 Project Incubator program was held in Da Nang. This is a training, connection and project development space for young Vietnamese and Asian filmmakers.
Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan - Chairwoman of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association - said that DANAFF Talents 2026 is built with three key activities including in-depth training, project presentation (pitching) and partner connection at the project market. The program focuses on two main categories: Vietnamese multi-genre film projects (Genre Film Projects) in the form of Script Lab and Asian Art-house Projects.
A prominent new feature of DANAFF Talents this year is the 8-day Script Lab program, selecting 8 Vietnamese feature film scripts with development potential. Students work directly with a team of international experts, professors, directors and producers, with the companionship of Columbia University (USA).
The training content focuses on developing script structures, building characters and improving market access, helping projects have the opportunity to go further in the production and distribution process.
For the Asian Art Film category, students from many countries will participate in the training course from June 28 to July 4. In addition to professional activities, project groups will present to the international jury and connect with producers and distributors in the regional and world film network.
Notably, ASEAN projects after completing the course in Da Nang will continue to participate in two international workshops in Thailand and France. This is considered an important opportunity for young filmmakers to expand their cooperation network, find co-producers and access the European film market.
This year's program gathers a team of consultants who are professors, directors, screenwriters and reputable producers from the United States, Singapore, France, Italy, Korea and many other countries. The judging panel of the two categories is also experienced film festival managers and international producers.
According to the Organizing Committee, DANAFF Talents 2026 has received more than 350 applications to participate. After the selection process, 8 projects belonging to Script Lab and 10 Asian Art Film projects have been selected for the official training round.
Project presentation activities will take place on July 2nd, followed by an investment connection program at the Project Market on the morning of July 3rd. The closing and award ceremony of DANAFF Talents 2026 is expected to be held on the afternoon of July 3rd at Novotel Da Nang Hotel.
With increasingly expanding scale and the participation of many international experts, DANAFF Talents is gradually affirming its role as a launching pad for young film talents, while contributing to making Da Nang a creative rendezvous for Asian cinema.
