HA NOI — A film featuring the illegal hunting of wild animals won a special prize at the fourth Environmental Film Festival held in Ha Noi on Wednesday.
Le Hoai Phuong received VND30 million and the Viet Nam Green Award for his documentary Toi Ac Rung Xanh (Crime in the Forest).
The film depicts hunting activities of wild animals in Binh Thuan Province.
The film's topics and visual effects have left a strong impression on the jury and audiences.
To make the film, Phuong and his staff spent three years following and working with illegal hunters, who agreed to the filming but asked the director to conceal their faces.
"Phuong's work condemns people who destroy forests and hunt wild animals. His film's message calls on people to protect and keep the world and environment safe from disease," said Bui Dinh Hac, veteran film director.
The VND20 million first prize was shared by Vuong Duc for the movie Rung Den (Black Forest), Gia Hung for the documentary Ngu Ngon Thoi Nay (Modern Fable), Trong Hoa for the investigating report Thien Tai va Nhan Tai (Natural Calamities and Man-Made Calamities), and Nguyen Nhan Lap's cartoon Meo Vat (Small Trick).
Ha Noi-skilled director Duc's Rung Den is a quality film that attracted young audiences back to the cinema after its release in 2008. It featured young actors such as Kieu Chinh and Thach Kim Long.
The film described the tragic lives of people who destroy forest land.
Viet Nam Green winner Phuong said that making films featuring environmental problems was not a new experience in Viet Nam.
"Through our work, we hope audiences can learn about saving the natural world and have a visual treat as well," he said.
Organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and its partners, the Viet Nam Cinematography Association and Viet Nam Television, this year's national Environment Film Festival attracted 131 entries, including 70 investigating reports, 35 documentaries, 18 science films, four films and four cartoons. — VNS