Cambridge, MA – March 11, 2025 – A historic roundtable at Harvard University Faculty Club celebrated 30 years of normalized Vietnam-U.S. relations, uniting leaders from film, academia, government, and innovation to shape cinema’s future in the AI era. Hosted by the Boston Global Forum (BGF), Harvard University, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, and the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), the event—”Humanity and Compassion in Vietnamese Film and Contributions to the AI World Society”—ignited groundbreaking partnerships and a shared vision for AI-driven storytelling.
A Day of Insightful Dialogue
Professor Thomas Patterson of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government opened with warm introductions, paving the way for vibrant discussions. Key speakers included Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations; Governor Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts and BGF Co-Chair; and Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, VFDA Chairwoman, whose keynote captivated attendees.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan: Vietnamese Cinema’s Evolution
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan traced Vietnam’s cinematic ascent, stating, “In the past five years, our films have earned global acclaim, with box office revenues in the tens of millions. The revised Cinema Law has welcomed foreign crews, yet our success lies in reflecting Vietnamese identity—patriotism, family values, and compassion, even toward former enemies.” Her insights, rooted in her 2007 book Modernity and Nationality in Vietnamese Cinema, highlighted a fusion of growth and authenticity.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang: Cinema as a Cultural Bridge
Ambassador Giang emphasized film’s unifying power, saying, “It’s an honor to represent Vietnam here. This collaboration with BGF and Harvard explores film, humanity, and technology. Vietnamese cinema mirrors our history and soul, and AI can enhance it while preserving emotional depth.” He cast the Vietnam-U.S. partnership as a bridge of empathy and creativity.
Governor Michael Dukakis: A Vision for Collaboration
Governor Dukakis welcomed guests warmly, noting, “Today, Vietnam and the USA stand as comprehensive strategic partners, marking 30 years of progress. This milestone launches deeper collaboration.” He unveiled the AIWS Film Park—a pioneering hub linking Vietnam with Boston, New York, and Hollywood—the Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration, and plans to promote the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, envisioning a future enriched by technology and mutual understanding.
Notable Attendees and Initiatives
Attendees included Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang; Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN; Meg Montagnino-Jarrett, Massachusetts Film Office Director; Angela Peri, Boston Casting Founder; and Matthew Salloway, Filmmaker and CEO of GSI Ventures. Academics and filmmakers featured Tony Bui (Columbia University), MIT’s Robert Desimone and Nazli Choucri, and Harvard’s Jeff Saviano and Sara Archambault of the Shorenstein Center.
Key initiatives announced:
- AIWS Film Park: A hybrid hub in a beautiful Vietnamese city, blending natural and AI studios to connect global creators with Boston, New York, and Hollywood.
- Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration: A program uniting figures like Dukakis, Cameron Kerry, and Ngo Phuong Lan to foster film ties.
- Da Nang Asian Film Festival: Plans to elevate its profile in Boston and beyond.
Nguyen Anh Tuan’s Concluding Vision
Nguyen Anh Tuan, BGF Co-Chair and CEO, closed with optimism: “Today marks a new chapter—the AIWS Film Park, launched amid 30 years of Vietnam-U.S. relations, has earned support from Harvard, MIT, Columbia, UCLA, and Boston’s distinguished figures. Our Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration unites notable friends here, and including Ambassadors Nguyen Quoc Dung and Dang Hoang Giang, Governor Michael Dukakis, Cameron Kerry, Mark Kennedy, and everyone joining us today. Today’s event continues the momentum of the AI Action Summit held in Paris last month, where the Boston Global Forum co-organized a session with the French government on AIWS Government 24/7—AI-driven governance serving citizens around the clock. This laid the groundwork for our gift, ‘Creating a New Enlightened Paris,’ presented to President Macron and the French people to position France as an AI leader. Today’s outcomes will be shared with President Macron as a legacy of the 2025 AI Action Summit.”
A Legacy and a Future
The roundtable concluded with remarks from Le Vinh Hoa, Director of Harvard’s Vietnamese Language Program, and Nguyen Anh Tuan, followed by a networking dinner. Attendees left inspired, ushering in an era where AI and cinema unite Vietnam and the U.S., blending innovation with humanity.
