This year, 11 films, including five historical features have been nominated for the celluloid category of the prestigious awards, which will be presented by the Vietnam Cinematography Association in HCM City on March 13.

While the jury begins its work to sort through the entries, insiders are predicting wins for two films – Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai (Crossing the Shanghai Port) and Khat Vong Thang Long (Thang Long Aspiration).
The VND16 billion Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai by the Vietnam Cinematography Association's Film Studio and its Chinese partner, Zhoujiang Film Studio, was aimed to appeal to the jury rather than the public. Nonetheless, with its visual and sound effects, the film could still become popular.

Based on a screenplay by Vietnamese writers, Ha Pham Phu and Le Ngoc Minh, and Chinese author Jia Fei, the film portrays the life of Nguyen Ai Quoc, as the late President Ho Chi Minh called himself.
It recounts the president's time as a revolutionary in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 1933 and 1934, before he moved to Vladivostock, Russia.

The biopic is expected to take home the award for best picture.
Before being nominated for a Golden Kite, Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai was well received by audiences during its cinema release last year.
"It provides a deeper understanding of the leader’s spirit and revolutionary cause in Vietnamese history," said Trieu Tuan, the film's director.

"My crew worked very hard to bring the story to life," he added.

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