Hanoi (VNA) – Film industry leaders from Vietnam and the US gathered at a conference in Boston on Ma♈rch 11 t💃o forge new pathways for collaboration in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).

The “Vietnam – US Film Development Cooperation in the Context of AI and the Fourth Industrial Revolution” conference was held by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) and the Boston Global Forum (BGF) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam – US diplomatic relations. The event brought together prominent experts and officials to envision a technologically advanced future for Vietnam’s cinema. According to experts, while Vietnam has long been recognised for its potential for international cooperation in the area, backed by its stunning landscapes and ideal filming locations, the country must embrace technological advancements, particularly AI, to gain competitive edge in the global film market. VFDA Chairwoman Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan addressed the contentious nature of AI while emphasising its supplementary role to human creativity. She said AI could not replace human ingenuity but the film industry could leverage its advantages to improve product quality. She added that merging traditional film-making techniques with technological innovation like AI applications in production could enhance both quality and international market competitiveness. Lan also announced plans to actively implement the Production Attraction Index (PAI) across Vietnamese cities and provinces, while expanding partnerships with US film organisations, universities, and technology partners. These initiatives aim to create more development opportunities for Vietnamese cinema and develop a comprehensive film ecosystem to attract international collaboration.

Participants at the conference proposed establishing the AI World Society (AIWS) Film Park, which is not only a film production facility but also an integrated cinematic ecosystem incorporating AI technology in accordance with the AIWS, an initiative launched by the BGF in 2017. The AIWS Film Park will focus not only on infrastructure development but also on collaborations with prestigious educational institutions renowned for their AI-integrated film programmes, such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The project aims to establish connections with major film centres across the US like Boston, New York, Hollywood, Washington, and San Francisco, and European cinema capitals of Paris, Rome, Venice, and London so as to position Vietnam as a creative filmmaking hub in Asia. Former Governor of Massachusetts Michael Dukakis endorsed the initiative, describing it as a breakthrough expected to help Vietnam emerge as a creative filmmaking centre connected with Boston, New York, Hollywood, and global markets.

He laid stress on Vietnamese cinema's important role in popularising humanitarian values and fostering cultural connections. The former governor noted that film industry cooperation represents a significant dimension of the Vietnam – US relations that extends beyond production to encompass technology transfer, workforce training, and policy development. International experts at the event offered recommendations for Vietnam to enhance its global appeal, including developing attractive tax policies, building Hollywood-standard infrastructure, simplifying production permit procedures, and establishing support systems for foreign film crews./.