Vientiane Film Festival
Laos's most important film event, held annually in Vientiane, presenting Lao and Southeast Asian cinema in one of Southeast Asia's most serene and least-visited capitals, with a growing focus on developing Lao filmmaking.
Overview
The Vientiane Film Festival is Laos's most important film event. Founded in 2010 and held annually in Vientiane, Laos's quiet riverside capital on the Mekong, the festival presents Lao and Southeast Asian cinema in one of the region's most serene capitals and supports the development of Lao filmmaking.
Laos has one of Southeast Asia's smallest and least-developed film industries, but the festival has worked to build the foundations of a filmmaking culture by providing educational activities alongside public screenings. The country's extraordinary natural heritage -- the Mekong River, the mountains and jungles of the north, the ancient temples of Luang Prabang -- creates rich documentary material.
The festival's connections with regional organizations and with development partners have helped bring filmmaking training and equipment access to Lao filmmakers.
Key Sections
- Lao Film Showcase -- new Lao productions
- Mekong Region Cinema -- films from Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam
- Southeast Asian Panorama -- broader regional programming
- Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
- Filmmaking Workshops -- training for Lao filmmakers
What Filmmakers Should Know
The festival accepts submissions. For Lao filmmakers, this is the most important domestic platform. The Mekong Region section creates connections with filmmakers from neighboring countries sharing the Mekong River basin.
Major Awards
- Best Lao Film -- jury prize
- Best Mekong Film
- Audience Award
Festival History
The Vientiane Film Festival was founded in 2010 as part of efforts to build film culture in one of Southeast Asia's most underdeveloped film markets.
See Also
For Southeast Asian cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
