BGF Roundtable: “Humanity and Compassion in Vietnamese Film and Contributions to the AI World Society”

Mar 9, 2025News

Organizers:
Boston Global Forum, Harvard University, Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations

Venue:
Harvard University Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Date & Time: March 11, 2025, 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Moderator:
Professor Thomas Patterson, Harvard University

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman, Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA)

Honored Speakers:

  • Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations
  • Governor Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts, Co-Founder & Co-Chair of Boston Global Forum

Event Overview
This roundtable unites distinguished scholars, filmmakers, innovators, and cultural leaders to celebrate Vietnamese cinema’s profound role in advancing humanity and compassion. It explores how these values shape storytelling in the AI era, strengthening Vietnam-U.S. ties in cinema and technology through initiatives like the Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration, the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, and “AIWS Nha Trang Film Park.” Marking 30 years of normalized Vietnam-U.S. relations, the event honors this artistic legacy while forging pathways for innovation and partnership within the AI World Society framework.

                                                            Agenda

  • 3:00 PM – Welcome & Introduction
    • Opening remarks by Professor Thomas Patterson, Harvard University
  • 3:30 PM – Honored Remarks
    • Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations
    • Governor Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts, Co-Founder & Co-Chair of Boston Global Forum
  • 3:50 PM – Keynote Speech
    • Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman, Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA)
  • 4:10 PM – Panel Discussion
    • Panelists:
      • Jeff Saviano, Harvard University
      • Tony Bui, Columbia University
      • Robert Desimone, MIT Professor
      • Nazli Choucri, MIT Professor
    • Moderated by: Professor Thomas Patterson
  • 4:50 PM – Initiative Announcement: Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration
    • New initiatives to deepen ties between Vietnamese and U.S. film industries:
      • Da Nang Asian Film Festival – Ngo Phuong Lan
      • “AIWS Nha Trang Film Park” – A pioneering cinema hub uniting writers, creators, innovators, directors, investors, and marketers of film and AI. Based in Nha Trang and guided by AI World Society standards, it connects to Boston, New York, and Hollywood, fostering creativity and collaboration on a global stage.
        • Dinh Trong Tuan, Member of Standing Committee of VFDA
        • Joseph Caristena, AI Evangelist, Founder of EGov Metrics and Mediterranean Academy of Cultural Diplomacy
        • Lorie Conway, Boston Film Producer
        • Tony Bui, Columbia University
      • Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration Program – Professor Thomas Patterson
    • 5:10 PM – Open Discussion
      • Moderated by Professor Thomas Patterson
    • 5:45 PM – Concluding Remarks & Dinner
      • Le Vinh Hoa, Director of Harvard University Vietnamese Language Program
      • Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Chair and CEO of Boston Global Forum
      • Networking dinner with continued discussions on AIWS Nha Trang Film Park