Jubilation: Representatives of filmmakers involved in the making of Thien Menh Anh Hung (Blood Letter) receive Golden Kite Awards on Saturday in HCM City. — Photo http://lifetv.vn.

HCM CITY (VNS) — Thien Menh Anh Hung (Blood Letter) won Best Movie at the Viet Nam Cinema Association (VNCA)'s Golden Kite Awards on Saturday in HCM City.

The sword-fighting film tells the tale of Nguyen Vu, a prince from the Nguyen Dynasty who is the only survivor after his family was massacred. It also scored prizes for Best Director (Vietnamese – American Victor Vu) and Best Actor (Huynh Dong).

Filmed in northern province of Ninh Binh, the film features stunning slow-motion sword fighting shots accompanied by high-quality sound effects, which added the awards for Best Cameraman (Nguyen K'Linh) and Best Visual and Sound Effects (created by Tran Duc Quang and Tran Anh Khoa) to the heap of recognition.

The US$1.5 million film, produced by private company Phuong Nam Film and its partners, Saiga Films and Thanh Nien Media Corporation, received the Jury Prize at the International Film Festival in Ha Noi last year.

Director Victor Vu, a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in the US, also won the Media Award for his other production, Bi Mat Tham Do (Scandal), which depicts the dark side of show business.

Dinh Y Nhung was named Best Actress for playing a dedicated wife in a small fishing village who turns to another man when her husband is unable to give her the child they both crave in Lay Chong Nguoi Ta (In the Name of Love), directed by Luu Huynh.

In the TV series category, the critics singled out 30-episode historical film Thai Su Tran Thu Do (The Great Tutor Tran Thu Do). The film focuses on the founder of the Tran Dynasty (1226-1400).

Written by Nguyen Manh Tuan, the film also won Best Script and Best Director (Dao Duy Phuc).

This year, the Golden Kite Awards honoured experienced directors People's Artist Truong Qua and People's Artist Huy Thanh for their contributions to Vietnamese cinema.

Qua is recognised as the first Vietnamese animation director, while Thanh is known for award-winning films including Noi Gio (Strong Wind) and Xa va Gan (Near and Far).

The 2013 Golden Kite Awards received 11 submissions in the feature film category, as well as 18 TV series, 24 short films, 13 cartoons, 37 documentaries, ten scientific films and three cinematography research projects. — VNS