Choi voi (Without an Anchor) will be shown at the 63rd Venice film festival, according to the film’s director Bui Thac Chuyen.

This is Vietnam’s first feature film ever invited to the world’s most prestigious film festival.

Director Chuyen said he received the invitation two months ago but could not reveal the news as under a commitment to the organizing board, the information could only be released after it was officially announced at a press conference that the festival would take place in Rome.

Films participating in the festival must not be previously screened anywhere, according to the regulations of the organizing board.

The film will later be screened at major film festivals in Toronto, Vancouver, and London. The film is expected to be screened in Vietnam late this year.