Vietnam's Cinema Department Orders Review of Online Short Films

Vietnam's Cinema Department has issued an urgent request to all platforms managing digital media, intermediary platforms, and application stores that provide films in Vietnam to conduct an immediate review of films, short films, and applications distributing films on their systems. This move aims to prevent the spread of content that does not meet the conditions for public broadcast. Currently, domestic short films are creating a sensation among audiences, even surpassing traditional Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services. According to statistics from the Authority of Broadcasting, Television, and Information, nearly 30 domestic and international OTT/VOD platforms are operating, with 20 enterprises licensed to provide OTT services. However, alongside the positive aspect of diverse entertainment information, the rapid growth has also brought negative consequences impacting viewers, especially the youth. To gain views, some products resort to shocking plots, unconventional family relationships, revenge, infidelity, or themes that glorify money and power. The Cinema Department's directive, issued on September 25, emphasizes that organizations and individuals must adhere to regulations regarding entities permitted to distribute films. This includes film classification, displaying classification results, notifying the list of films and their classifications before release, and taking responsibility for content quality. If self-classification conditions are not met, entities can request the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or an authorized agency to perform the classification. The department will collaborate with relevant authorities to inspect and verify violations. According to Decree 87/2026, violating units will face fines depending on the offense, potentially reaching up to VND 100 million (approximately USD 4,000), and will be compelled to remove the films. For films deemed prohibited under the Law on Cinema, in addition to fines, entities will be required to delete, remove the films, and return any illegal profits. Repeat offenders may face suspension of film distribution activities for a specified period. The Law on Cinema categorizes films distributed online in Vietnam by age groups: P, K, T13, T16, T18, and C. These classifications are based on criteria related to violence, sex, drugs, horror, vulgar language, dangerous behavior, and the film's themes and content. For platforms qualified for self-classification, a post-inspection mechanism requires them to classify films, display results, provide warnings, and implement technical solutions to protect children. This serves as a basis for regulatory bodies to monitor film distribution activities online. Previously, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism had noted the trend of online short films exploiting sensational and offensive elements that deviate from cultural norms. Experts and parents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of these portrayals on the perceptions, aesthetics, and behaviors of young people. The evolution of platforms and changing entertainment habits have facilitated the reach of short dramas or micro-dramas to a wide audience. With durations of one to a few minutes and continuous narrative arcs, these formats offer the convenience of on-demand viewing on mobile phones, meeting the demand for quick and accessible entertainment. This trend also opens up opportunities for producers to reach new audience segments. Global revenue from app-based short films is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2025 and is expected to nearly double to approximately $7.8 billion this year, according to Deloitte. While specific figures for live-action versus AI-generated films are not yet separated, AI's expansion is evident. Data from Channel News Asia indicates that 95% of the 128,000 short films released in China in the first quarter of this year were AI-generated (equivalent to 121,600 works). The Financial Times also reported that as of May, 89 out of the top 100 trending short films on China's Douyin platform were AI products. From a niche product line, short films have rapidly emerged as one of the most popular entertainment categories globally, according to Sensor Tower. Source: VnExpress