The Cinema Department of the Ministry is responsible on behalf of the Ministry for the state management of the Vietnamese film and video industry according to Communist Party guidelines and the policies and laws of the state. It controls all aspects of the Vietnamese film industry, including aesthetics, technology, finance, production, distribution, censorship and international relations. It drafts laws, ordinances and regulations relating to the development of the film and video industry, drawing up film and video development plans and overseeing film and video development projects which encourage the development of young Vietnamese filmmaking talent, selects and approves screenplays, co-ordinates and develops international exchange and investment in the film and video sector, issues and withdraws permits to local and foreign film and video production companies, issues and withdraws distribution permits for local and foreign films, reviewing and where necessary banning all film and video products which contravene the law, organises national and international film festivals and competitions to promote the best in local and foreign film, and co-ordinates Vietnamese film and video promotional events overseas. The Department publishes the fortnightly Điện ảnh-Kịch trường Việt Nam (Việt Nam Cinema-Theatre) Journal and has a branch office in Hồ Chí Minh City.