VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese, overseas Vietnamese and foreigners can submit their short films about sidewalk restaurants in Vietnam to this competition.

This is the first time in HCM City many organizations jointly held a short documentary film contest on the theme of street food of Vietnam.

With the maximum length of 5 minutes, contestants can use all kinds of equipment to shoot their works, such as mobile phones, digital cameras, camcorders, etc. The films may have comments or not.

Mr. Buu Dien, a member of the organizing committee, said the criteria for image quality are necessary but it is not the most important factor. The organizers encourage film-makers to shoot films with simple stories about people who earn their living by selling food on the street, about typical dishes of Vietnam street food.

Dien said that the stories in films should be true stories, which can help the audience feel the friendly hospitality of the Vietnamese people as well as the beauty of the folk distinct culinary culture.

The board of judges has seven members, who are experts in the culinary field and the field of television production, including Mr. Michael Castengera (Senior lecturer at the University of Georgia, USA), Mr Chew Han Tah (Malaysian TV director), Mr. Huy Moeller (academic director of the Saigon International Film School - SIFS), Mr. Robert Danhi - culinary expert, photographer and author of several acclaimed culinary books, Mr. Max Murta (American director living in Vietnam), Ms. Bui Thi Suong, culinary expert, vice president of the Saigon professional chefs association and Mr. Chiem Thanh Long.

Mr. Max Murta said for the first time in Vietnam, he dared not eat any street food because he did not understand this food culture and was afraid of food safety. However, after a period of time living here, he was charmed by street food of Saigon.

"Vietnam’s delicacies are not only pho. I hope that through this film contest, many more cuisines will be introduced to people, particularly foreigners. Previously I never thought of eating hot vit lon but now it is a favorite dish of mine," he said.

The competition will take place from October 7 through December 7. Total prize value is VND200 million ($10,000).

The event is jointly held by the HCM City Tourism Promotion Center, the HCM City Tourism Association and the Saigon International Film School (SIFS).

T. Van