The Gospel Of The Beast, directed by Sheron Dayoc from the Philippines, was honored with the Golden Star Award for Best Southeast Asian Film at the inaugural Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF) in Vietnam. This recognition serves as a testament to the talent and creativity present in the Southeast Asian filmmaking industry.
Nicole Midori Woodford’s Last Shadow At First Light, a collaboration between Singapore and Japan, garnered multiple awards in the Southeast Asia competition at the festival. These accolades include the Jury Prize, best cinematography by Hideho Urata, best screenplay by Nicole Midori Woodford, and best visual effects by Laokoon VFX. The film’s success highlights the power of cross-cultural partnerships in producing outstanding cinema.
Oasis Of Now, directed by Chee Sum Chia from Malaysia, was another standout at the festival, securing awards for best director and best actress for Vietnam’s Tạ Thị Đểu. The film, which follows the story of an immigrant, showcases the diverse narratives present in Southeast Asian cinema. Additionally, Singaporean drama Wonderland received accolades for best actor (Mark Lee) and best supporting actor (Peter Yu), while Rawipa Srisanguan from Thailand was awarded best supporting actress for Solids By The Seashore.
In the realm of technical achievements, Indonesian action drama 13 Bombs was recognized for best sound design by Wahyu Tri Pournomo and best editing by Hendra Adhi Sussanto. Cambodian drama Tenement stood out for its exceptional production design by Jean-Sien Kin, while the Japan-Philippines co-production Blue Imagine was awarded best original score by Yuji Wantanabe. These accolades underscore the importance of technical expertise in enhancing the storytelling and overall impact of a film.
Highlighting the global reach of the festival, Mongolia’s Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir received the Best Film award in the First or Second Film Competition for City Of Wind, while Saudi filmmaker Ali Kalthami was honored for Night Courier. The festival also acknowledged the best short film, Leila by Fariba Haidari, and the Jury Prize went to Alien 0089 by Valeria Hofmann. Song Lang received the prestigious Best Ho Chi Minh City Film award, further showcasing the festival’s commitment to celebrating diverse cinematic voices.
The Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival serves as a platform for recognizing and celebrating the remarkable talent in Southeast Asian cinema. The diverse array of award-winning films highlights the creativity, technical excellence, and storytelling prowess present in the region’s filmmaking industry. As the festival continues to grow and evolve, it will undoubtedly further elevate the profile of Southeast Asian cinema on the global stage.