A scene in The Way Station.

The film also won “Best Actor” for Pham Hong Phuoc and “Best Director of Photography” for Ly Thai Dung. It had record nominations in eight key categories, including best director, best actress, best supporting actor, and best screenplay.
The Way Station is adapted from Do Phuoc Tien’s story titled “Dao cua dan ngu cu” (The Island of Aliens) written in 1992. Famed writer Nguyen Quang Lap wrote the movie script in 1996.
The film takes the audience through the lives of people from around the country who gather in a little village by the sea. It depicts the confusion and uncertainty of their journeys to find happiness and meaning. It marked actress Hong Anh’s debut in her director role.
“This award is an assertion of The Way Station’s positive impression on foreign viewers in its international debut. I hope that it is received with the same love and positivity by local critics and movie lovers.” said director Hong Anh.

Director Hong Anh (left), leading actress Nguyen Ngoc Thanh Tam and leading actor Pham Hong Phuoc (right) of The Way Station at the award ceremony of AIFFA 2017.

Earlier, Director Hong Anh and the two main actors had been seen together in the red carpet talking with filmmakers and actors from different countries. The night also saw the presence of other famous figures in the region’s film industry like Donnie Yen or Filipino singer Marlo Mortel. The Vietnamese film’s script was written by Nguyen Quang Lap, adapted from the short story with the same name by writer Do Phuoc Tien.
AIFFA 2017 saw the pitching of 109 films from ten member states of the ASEAN, of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Awards is a platform to promote ASEAN films to the international market, facilitate collaborations and networking within the ASEAN film industry and provide business opportunities for film distributors and exihibitors. Films honored by AIFFA help promote the local culture, tradition and heritage towards a united ASEAN, according to ts official site.

The cast and crew of The Way Station at the award ceremony of AIFFA 2017.