The Last Hope International Film Festival is an international film festival dedicated to short narrative (fiction) films from emerging and established filmmakers around the world.

Taking place in the dynamic coastal city of Da Nang, Vietnam, the festival focuses on discovering new cinematic voices and celebrating strong storytelling, visual creativity, and artistic originality in contemporary short cinema.

We accept short fiction films up to 25 minutes across all narrative genres, including drama, thriller, comedy, horror, action, and AI-generated storytelling. Student films, debut works, and independent productions are welcome.

The festival awards excellence in directing, acting, cinematography, production design, screenplay, and genre filmmaking. Selected films receive official festival laurels and digital diplomas, while winners are recognized through jury awards and an Audience Choice Award.

Our mission is to support filmmakers by providing international exposure, recognition, and a professional festival platform connecting global audiences with new cinematic talent.

Join us and showcase your film at an international celebration of short filmmaking in Vietnam.

Awards & Prizes

Winners of the Last Hope International Film Festival will receive official digital laurels and personalized digital diplomas recognizing their achievement.

Awards

• Main Awards

• Best Short Film (Grand Prix)

• Best Director

• Best Actor

• Best Actress

• Best Cinematography

• Best Production Design

• Best Screenplay

Genre Awards

• Best Drama Film

• Best Thriller Film

• Best Action Film

• Best Horror Film

• Best Comedy Film

• Best AI-Generated Film

• Best Film – Other Genre

Special Award

• Audience Choice Award

The jury reserves the right to reassign films to categories where they best fit artistically or stylistically. Awards may vary depending on the final selection and jury decisions.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

### Eligibility

* The festival accepts short narrative (fiction) films only.
* Maximum runtime: 25 minutes, including credits.
* Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.
* Documentary, animated, and experimental films are not eligible.

### Submissions

* Films from all countries are welcome.
* All non-English-language films must include English subtitles.
* Student films, debut works, and independent productions are eligible.
* Multiple submissions of the same film are not permitted.
* Submission fees are non-refundable.

### Selection & Judging

* All films are reviewed by the festival selection committee.
* The jury reserves the right to determine the appropriate category for each selected film.
* Not all categories may be awarded if an adequate level of quality is not met.
* The jury’s decision is final.

### Screening Rights

By submitting a film, the submitter grants the Last Hope International Film Festival a non-exclusive right to screen the film as part of the festival program and related promotional activities.

### Promotional Materials

The festival may use excerpts, stills, trailers, and promotional materials from submitted films for marketing and promotional purposes.

### General Conditions

* The submitter confirms they hold all necessary rights for the film.
* The festival reserves the right to update regulations when necessary.
* Submission implies full acceptance of all Rules & Terms.