HA NOI — A documentary film entitled Mother and Children, directed by seventeen-year-old Phan Huyen My has won the audience choice award at the Golden Bee student short film festival.
My, who has been a cinema-goer from an early age, joined the Chung Ta Lam Phim (Let's make movies) project organised by the Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD) in 2009 to fulfil her film-making dream.
"The film is based on true stories of my family's daily life, and centres on the difference between generations. While my mum tries to forbid my younger sister from spending her money, using a mobile phone or dying her hair, my sister continues to assert herself," said My.
The film won praise from the judges and was selected to be shown along with films by People's Artist Dang Nhat Minh, and director Bui Thac Chuyen in the US.
Quang Nghia, another film contestant entrant said: "Mother and Children will set the trend for future movie making through the use of bitter-sweet humour."
My also expressed her thanks to director Chuyen for his great support and help in the production of her movie.
"This award has whetted my appetite to study at the Ha Noi University of Theatre and Cinema," said My.
The film festival's awards ceremony was held at the Kim Dong Theatre on Thursday.
Other awards included the Golden Bee prize for Catching Shellfish, Silver Bee prize for The Gift and the Room, best director for Into the Wild, best cinematography and consolation prize for The Shoeshine boy. — VNS