“Finding Funding for Feature Films” with Director Bui Thac Chuyen

On the afternoon of October 5, 2025, at the Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents – TPD (6th Floor, 18A Ngo Tat To, Hanoi), the talkshow “Finding Funding for Feature Films” took place as part of the Bui Thac Chuyen Movie Month, attracting a large audience and many young filmmakers.

Talkshow “Finding Funding for Feature Films.” Photo: Organizing Committee

In the cozy atmosphere of TPD, Director Bui Thac Chuyen held an open dialogue with the audience about the fundraising journey for cinematic projects—one of the greatest challenges for independent filmmakers. Drawing from over two decades of practical experience, he shared the stories behind projects such as “Living in Fear” (2005), “Adrift” (2009), “Glorious Ashes” (2022), and “The Tunnels” (2025) – thereby “illustrating” the diverse fundraising paths available to a filmmaker.

Director Bui Thac Chuyen shared at the talkshow. Photo: Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents – TPD

While “Living in Fear” and “Adrift” were the results of a collaboration model between Feature Film Studio I and international partners, “Glorious Ashes” was a seven-year journey seeking sponsorship from various independent film support funds in France and Singapore. Regarding “The Tunnels,” the director stated: This was an entirely new experience as the film was produced with 100% domestic private capital—a testament to the maturity of the Vietnamese cinema market.

The vibrant atmosphere at the talkshow. Photo: Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents – TPD

With a close and witty storytelling style, Bui Thac Chuyen shared how he sought out and persuaded investors, as well as the lessons learned in choosing funding sources that align with the scale, genre, and creative direction of each project.

The event is part of the Bui Thac Chuyen Movie Month—a series of activities co-organized by the TPD Center and White Light Cinéhub, with the accompaniment of Tunnel Films, Cinepost Hanoi, and Complex 01. The program series not only introduces representative films from the director’s career but also opens up professional dialogues, helping the audience better understand the creative journey of one of the prominent faces of contemporary Vietnamese cinema.

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