HCM CITY (VNS) — Short films with innovative content made by independent young enthusiasts who form groups to produce them remain popular.

"Filmmaking equipment is cheaper and we can achieve our dream of making films easier," Nguyen Trong Thuy Khanh, head of HCM City-based S&T Media, said.

The films are not only screened online and at schools and universities but also shown at many festivals in Viet Nam and abroad.

From making shorts revolving around school activities when the trend first started a few years ago, the young filmmakers are now turning to a range of social issues.

Tan (Scattering), the latest film made by FU Production, which received a warm response from audiences, tells about the tragedy suffered by a family due to a minor disagreement among its members.

FU, founded in 2010 by a group of students from Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary High School, has also made many horror films.

Sang Nguoc (Opposite Light) made by S&T Media Group was well received by audiences at the 3,2,1 Action Competition organised last year by The Gioi Van Hoa ( Culture World) magazine in HCM City.

The film is about the responsibility of drivers to avoid traffic accidents.

Cho Toi Mot Ve Ve Tuoi Tho (Give Me A Ticket to My Childhood) and Khi Ta 20 (When We Were 20) made by young Ha Noi filmmakers were screened at many universities in the US in 2012.

The former is about the balance between loving and spoiling kids in a family of two children while the other is a documentary about three girls making choices in life at the age of 20.

Khuc Tinh Pho (On the Streets), a short by Le My Cuong, was screened at a documentary film festival in Kyoto, Japan, last month.

It is about a group of young vendors in HCM City, with their humble jobs turning into an interesting story of love, friendship, and kindness.

The young filmmakers spend their own money on these projects.

"Making films is an interesting hobby," Dang Thanh, film director of FU Production, said.

"The group members contribute money to make films. Short films do not need big budgets and therefore no risk is involved.

"Despite limited budgets, we are trying to make good films.

"We want to share our thoughts with audiences."

Ha Thanh Vy of HCM City's May Story Production said her group has eight members, all of them students of various colleges.

"Making short films is not easy," she said.

"In just 15 minutes filmmakers must tell audiences a complete story and winning viewers' hearts is very difficult."

Ha Ngoc Quy, head of P.I.G Entertainment, said: "Amateur artists have to practise very hard to perform in the films.

"Despite the difficulties, we will never give up our dream of making films." — VNS