Film Club – Exploring Humanistic Stories Through Cinema

The Film Club (Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) originated from the Film Project, founded in 2004 by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Ford Foundation. The project aimed to train high-quality human resources in the field of film with specializations such as screenwriting and film criticism. Lecturers in the project's classes were leading experts in the industry, including Professor David James (University of Southern California), Professor Timothy Corrigan (University of Pennsylvania), director Dang Nhat Minh, director Pham Nhue Giang, director Phan Dang Di, director Charlie Nguyen, director Victor Vu, director Le Thanh Son, screenwriter Doan Minh Tuan, screenwriter Vincent Ngo, etc. After six years, the project has contributed to training many core film critics and screenwriters for Vietnamese cinema today; many of its students have gone on to pursue film careers in various countries around the world. During this time, the Project's library, with tens of thousands of books and film discs, was established. The library has become a familiar place for many generations of students and film enthusiasts to watch films and research materials.

Building upon those foundations, in 2008, the Department of Art Studies was established within the Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities. On December 23, 2012, the Department of Art Studies – under the leadership of Professor Tran Hinh and Ms. Hoang Cam Giang – established the Film Club. Since then, the club has embarked on a journey to bring cinema closer to the audience through a variety of diverse and interesting activities and events. The club has organized numerous academic seminars with leading film experts from Vietnam and abroad, seminars during film premiere tours, a series of student talks by film-loving students, art exhibitions; participated in the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF); built a magazine and website for the club, etc. In particular, the club consistently maintains regular film screenings on specific themes. Thanks to its rich and in-depth activities, the club has also attracted the attention of many audiences, including students inside and outside the university, as well as film enthusiasts throughout Hanoi.

In particular, since 2024, with the establishment of the Film and Popular Arts Department, the Film Club has increasingly demonstrated its important role. The films screened and the seminars organized at the club have become a "bridge" connecting like-minded hearts of all ages. The club has become a prestigious, multi-faceted space for dialogue on culture and art in Hanoi. From this "cradle," many generations of students have cultivated knowledge, skills, and a love for cinema, thereby continuing to develop and pursue careers in the film industry.

Regarding the current team of instructors and club managers, there are 4 teachers:

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Cam Giang - Head of the Film & Popular Arts Department, founder of the Club and overall professional manager.

2. Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich - Lecturer in Film & Popular Arts, currently in charge of the Club.

3. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Ngoc Kien - Lecturer in Cinema & Popular Arts.

4. Dr. Le Thi Tuan - Lecturer in Film & Popular Arts.

Here is the link to the club's fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/clbdienanh