The 3rd Hanoi International Film Festival was kicked off in Hanoi onNovember 23 with the theme “Cinema – Integration and SustainableDevelopment”.

At the opening ceremony, Chairmanof the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao expressed his beliefthat the festival will draw public attention to Vietnamese cinema andsupport the development of the industry.

He alsohoped that via the festival, Vietnam’s films will be able to makeinroads into global cinema and help promote the country’s image.

Out of 411 movies sent from all over the world, 130 from 32 countriesand territories were selected to attend the festival.

They will compete in different categories including Best FeatureFilm, Best Short Film, Best Feature Film Director, Best Short FilmDirector, Best Actor and Actress in Leading Roles.

Vietnam sends two feature films and 12 short films to the festival.

The films will be screened in National Cinema Centre, Cineplex CGVVincom Centre, CGV Cinema Mipec Tower, August Cinema and Kim DongTheatre with free admission.

A number ofactivities will be held on the sidelines of the event, including aworkshop on cooperation on film production, a conference on independentfilm production and experience from the Philippines, a film projectmarket, HANIFF 2014 Campus for talents and an exhibition to introduceVietnam’s film scene and popular destinations.

Thefestival, running through to November 27, is organised by the Ministryof Culture, Sports and Tourism in conjunction the Hanoi People’sCommittee, the municipal department of Culture, Sports and Tourism andthe Vietnam Cinema Department.-VNA