HANOI-- The Vietnam Film Festival 2011, the 17th national festival of this kind so far, will be held in the central coastal Phu Yen province on December 15-18, announced the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) on Thursday.

According to the announcement, the 17th Film Festival is one of events held throughout the Vietnam Tourism Year 2011 with focus made in tourism in the country's coastal central provinces and hosted by Phu Yen province.

Under the theme, "For the Vietnamese cinematography in renewals and integration period", the festival will have awards for such categories as feature films, documentary films and cartoon films. The festival aims to highlight Vietnamese films produced since the previous 16th festival, together with excellent film makers and artists. As an annual event, it provides opportunities for film producers and artists to exchange experience and promote cooperation, contributing to further developing the country's film making industry, said Director of Phu Yen Culture, sports and Tourism Department Phan Dinh Phung at the press briefing.

Awards to individuals will include those for the Best Director, Best Script Writer, Best Cameraman, Best Actor/Actress, Best Sub- Actor/Actress, Art Designer and Best Musician.