Country Vietnam First awarded 1973 | Presented by Vietnam Film Festival | |
The Golden Lotus (Vietnamese: Bông sen vàng) is the highest prize awarded to competing films at the Vietnam Film Festival. It was introduced in 1973 at the 2nd Vietnam Film Festival held in Hanoi. The award is separated in five different categories: feature film; direct-to-video; documentary film; scientific film and animated film. The Golden Lotus is awarded for one or several films which are chosen by the jury of each category as the best production of the festival. It is also possible that the prize is not awarded if the jury decides that no film at the festival deserves the Golden Lotus. It is to be distinguished from the Golden Kite Prize of the Vietnam Cinema Association.
History
At the 1st Vietnam Film Festival held in Hanoi in 1970, there was not any official award. For the 2nd Vietnam Film Festival, it was decided that Chung một dòng sông (1959), the first production of the North Vietnam's cinema, and Con chim vành khuyên would be highlighted by a newly established prize called the Golden Lotus (Bông sen vàng). Together with Chung một dòng sông and Con chim vành khuyên, several feature films which received this award at the festival were Chuyện vợ chồng anh Lực, Chị Tư Hậu, Hai người lính, Đường về quê mẹ. The Golden Lotus was also granted for seven documentary films.
From the 5th Vietnam Film Festival in 1980, a new Golden Lotus was awarded for the best film in animated category, and a fourth prize was established at the 13th Vietnam Film Festival (2001) to award the best film of direct-to-video category.