Vietnamese motion picture “Quan Ky Nam” (“Ky Nam Inn”), directed by Leon Le, has won the best director award at the Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF) 2026.
The award ceremony was held on Thursday in Macau, where the film was noted for its realistic setting and polished cinematography.
A major win for Vietnam
The jury commended Le’s direction for its emotional richness and visual sensitivity, which helped the film strongly connect with viewers, Vietnam News reported.
Set in southern Vietnam in the 1980s, “Quan Ky Nam” depicts daily life in a small urban neighborhood with a calm and reflective tone.
The film highlights the warmth of community ties and simple yet tender relationships, giving audiences a nuanced view of a past era.
AAFF 2026 featured films from 45 countries and territories.
Vietnam sent four entries to the festival, including “Quan Ky Nam,” “Chi Dau” (“Sister-in-Law”), “Bus – Chuyen Xe Mot Chieu” (“Bus – One-way Trip”) and “Wolfoo va Cuoc Dua Tam Gioi” (“Wolfoo and the Race of the Three Realms”).
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Cultural integration through film
Le Duc Hanh, Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, told Vietnam News that cultural diplomacy is a national effort, especially in developing cultural industries and reinforcing Vietnam’s cultural identity.
On the sidelines of the event, she said that international film festivals such as AAFF provide important platforms for Vietnamese cinema to reach global audiences, allowing filmmakers to exchange experience and learn international best practices.
Hanh added that Vietnam is continuing to deepen international integration in the cultural sector.
Vietnamese cultural ambassador to AAFF Mai Thu Huyen said that more Vietnamese films have recently been screened and recognized abroad, helping strengthen Vietnam’s presence on the global film map.
She said that this not only improves cultural connections but also creates opportunities for international collaboration in filmmaking and related fields.
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