Hà Lệ Diễm is an independent female filmmaker working in Vietnam. CHILDREN OF THE MIST is her first feature-length documentary film. Behind the making of the film, lies a deep connection between the protagonist Di and the filmmaker Hà Lệ Diễm. They accompanied each other over a time frame of over three years in their day-to-day life. The filmmaking practice intertwined during the process with a sphere of friendship, emotional responsibility, and shared experiences.
We will start with a Q&A with the filmmaker about the background of the film and the general question of finding characters, stories, co-creators, mentors, equipment, funding, etc. as an independent film project. After that, the focus will especially lie on the role of empathy with the protagonists through emotional connection within the filmmaking process.
This workshop could open an exchange space for young students and filmmakers to share experiences about the important role of empathy in filmmaking and the sphere of ethical negotiations that comes with it.

Hà Lệ Diễm, studied journalism in Hanoi journalism, earning her diploma in 2013. CHILDREN OF THE MIST is her first documentary to be supported by a grant from the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program and received the Best Director Award at IDFA in 2021.