Vietnamese short film vies for Cannes title

Vietnamese director Tran Dung Thanh Huy’s film entitled “16:30” will be shown as part of the Short Film Corner at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Vietnamese director Tran Dung Thanh Huy’s film entitled “16:30” will be shown as part of the Short Film Corner at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

A scene in short film "16:30"

The 17-minute film explores the story of a group of street kids selling lottery tickets in Ho Chi Minh City’s streets and alleys at 4.30 pm each day.

The four awards it already won at the YxineFF 2012 contributed to director Thanh Huy’s selection as part of the "Voyage A Cannes", a HCM City French Consulate programme bringing Vietnamese artists to the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

The 66th iteration of the film festival—Europe’s largest—will be held in France’s Cannes City from May 15–26.

Vietnamese actress Hong Anh will also attend the event.

Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will open the festival.

The festival’s 11 days of screenings will conclude with French director Jérôme Salle’s “Zulu”. With Orlando Bloom and Forest Whitaker starring in the film, “Zulu” is predicted to secure a Best Film nomination at this year’s event.