Vietnamese director to judge ASEAN International Films Festival & Awards

Anh, 46, will be the only Vietnamese member of the festival’s board of jury. This marks another milestone in the female artist’s profile, as she set the record of winning eight out of nine nominations she received in the 2017 festival, including the Best Film award for her debut movie as a director, "Dao Cua Dan Ngu Cu" (The Way Station).

Actress, director Hong Anh. Photo from Anh’s Facebook

Anh has always considered the ASEAN International Films Festival & Awards as a special place in her career, as her role as a director was first acknowledged at the 2017 event. She thinks of her position as a judge in this year’s upcoming festival a "return."

"I have already been preparing for being immersed in the world of films, the world of motion picture marathons," she said. "And the world of workshops discussing the topic of women in the creative industry."

Other members of the jury of this year are Malaysian director U-Wei Bin Haji Saari, Turkish director Ihsan Nurullah Kabil, Indonesian scriptwriter Viva Westi, and Malaysian director Effendee Mazlan.

The 2023 ASEAN International Films Festival & Awards will take place in Malaysia’s island Kuching, with its awards night and closing ceremony to be held on August 4.

Starting in 2013, the ASEAN International Films Festival & Awards has been held every two years in Kuching. There are a total of 120 movies competing in this year’s festival, including two Vietnamese-language works: "Dem Toi Ruc Ro" (The Brilliant Darkness) and "Memento Mori: Earth."

Anh started her career in the movie industry in 1995 as an actress. Throughout her acting career, she has won many domestic and international awards. She is now active as an actress, movie director, and host.