Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | October 2026
During Future Frame Celebration Week (FFCW) 2026, filmmaker, stereographer, and university professor Alaric Hamacher participated in two academic events at the School of Media Design, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH).
The program combined a lecture on international short film distribution with an expert roundtable examining the development of artificial intelligence in media education.
International Short Film Distribution and Festival Strategies
In his lecture, Hamacher explored how independent filmmakers can develop effective strategies for presenting and distributing their short films internationally.
Drawing on his experience in international filmmaking and film festival programming, he introduced students to the structure of the international film festival circuit and the opportunities available to emerging filmmakers.
The presentation examined major film submission platforms, including FilmFreeway and Shortfilmdepot, and their role in connecting filmmakers with international festivals.
Topics included festival selection, premiere requirements, submission strategies, and the importance of establishing an international presence through platforms such as IMDb and digital publicity.
The lecture emphasized that successful international distribution requires more than submitting a film to numerous festivals. Understanding festival profiles, audience expectations, and the strategic positioning of a film can significantly influence its international visibility.
Expert Roundtable: Artificial Intelligence in Media Education
Hamacher also participated in an international expert roundtable discussing the development of artificial intelligence in media education.
The discussion explored how generative AI is transforming filmmaking, visual storytelling, and creative education.
Among the central questions were the changing relationship between human creativity and automated content generation, the role of AI in creative production, and the challenges universities face in adapting their educational programs to rapidly evolving technologies.
An important topic was the distinction between using existing AI services and making original creative or technological contributions to AI-based filmmaking.
The discussion highlighted the need for media education to address not only the practical application of AI tools but also questions of artistic authorship, creative responsibility, and technological understanding.
International Exchange and the Future of Film Education
The events at UEH brought together perspectives from filmmaking, emerging technologies, and higher education, encouraging dialogue on how future filmmakers can navigate an increasingly international and technologically evolving media environment.
Both activities were part of Future Frame Celebration Week 2026, an international initiative connecting filmmakers, educators, and creative professionals in Vietnam.
Further information
Future Frame Celebration Week 2026:
https://ffcw.stdelight.com/?lang=en
Spatial Media – Research and Development:
https://spatialmedia.dev
Alaric Hamacher is a professor in the Department of Immersive Convergent Content at Kwangwoon University in Seoul, South Korea. Independently of his university teaching responsibilities, he works as a filmmaker, stereographer, and researcher specializing in stereoscopic 3D cinema, digital holography, virtual production, and spatial imaging technologies.
