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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival

Southeast Asia's Gateway for Bold Cinematic Voices

Tier 3
SovereignScore™
4.7/10

In plain English

The Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (LHP) is Vietnam's most prominent international film event, celebrating Southeast Asian cinema alongside global submissions with a strong emphasis on cultural exchange and regional storytelling. It offers filmmakers a rare foothold into Vietnam's rapidly growing film market and broader ASEAN distribution networks. Filmmakers working in Asian-centric narratives, emerging market stories, or cross-cultural dramas will find the most receptive audience here.

Score breakdown

SovereignScore™ dimensions

SovereignScore™
4.7/10
Prestige & Recognition4.0
Distribution Deals Made3.0
Submission ROI7.0
Filmmaker Experience6.0
Industry Attendance4.0

Great for

  • ✓ Providing meaningful access to Vietnam and Southeast Asian distribution networks and co-production opportunities
  • ✓ Championing Asian, diaspora, and cross-cultural narratives that struggle to find traction at Western-centric festivals
  • ✓ Offering an affordable, high-visibility platform in a fast-growing film market with genuine local press coverage

Not worth it if

  • ✗ Launching international careers or generating Hollywood-facing distribution deals — industry infrastructure is still maturing
  • ✗ Attracting major Western sales agents, international buyers, or streaming platform scouts in significant numbers
  • ✗ Serving filmmakers whose work has no thematic or cultural connection to Asia or the developing world

Best for these genres

DramaDocumentaryWorld Cinema / Asian CinemaSocial Issue Films

Filmmaker tips

  1. Submit work that has genuine Southeast Asian or broader Asian thematic resonance — programmers actively favor stories with regional cultural relevance even from international filmmakers
  2. If attending, connect early with the Vietnamese Film Association and local co-production liaisons, as this festival functions as a relationship-building hub more than a deal-closing market
  3. Submit before the early deadline when possible, as international entries compete in limited slots and early submission signals seriousness to a still-developing programming team

Notable alumni films

  • Song Lang (2018) — Vietnamese period drama that gained regional attention following its festival circuit run
  • Ròm (2019) — Vietnamese social drama that screened regionally after its Busan debut and benefited from HCMC visibility
  • The Inseminator (various regional Vietnamese shorts showcased in competition programs)

Submission details

Typical deadline
August
Festival month
October
Short submission fee
$20
Feature submission fee
$35

Compare with similar festivals

vs DocFestvs Saarbrücken Film Festivalvs USC School of Cinematic Arts Showcasevs Duisburger Filmwoche

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