Bangkok Film Festival 2009 to reflect era of change

The 7th Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok, Film, Festival, Asia 2009, due to be held in the Thai capital between September 24-30, 2009, will assume a strongly social and regional thematic focus with films that exemplify today’s era of change.

For the second time, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand have joined forces to present the foremost film event in southeast Asia. Not only has attendance risen on previous years, but the festival directors managed to attract an even wider range of audiences, exposing a new generation of filmgoers to an incredible variety of movies from across the globe.

The TAT proudly continues its support for the Bangkok International Film Festival and Jareuk Kaljareuk, president of the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, makes his return as festival director.

Once again the Thai Film Directors Association will lead the artistic direction of the festival under the guidance of association president and well-known filmmaker Yongyoot Thongkongtoon. Director of programming, Pimpaka Towira, and Mai Meksawan have put together a fresh and exciting program of around 80 films.

Over the last few years, the festival has attracted many of cinema’s biggest names. Luminaries such as Oliver Stone, Michael Douglas, and Jean Claude van Damme, to name just a few, have all been recent guests.

This year, with the world clawing itself from the depths of an economic crisis, TAT has been able to entice a fantastic line-up of celebrities.

Jim Belushi and Ving Rhames pretty much head up the list of the familiar, but there is also some hot new talent dropping in on Bangkok to take part in the festival. Olivia Thirlby and Scout Taylor Compton are two to watch for and the same can be said for Kyle Gallner and Sung Kang. All are rising young stars with big futures ahead of them.

The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema is an international Asian film business and cultural organization whose members are leading authorities on and professionals within Asian cinema. This year’s NETPAC jury consists of Jung Soo-wan (South Korea), Graiwoot Chulphongsathorn (Thai), and Ranjanee Ratnavibhushana (Sri Lanka).

Apart from a whole week dedicated to bringing to a Thai audience some of the world’s most captivating film makers and an exploration of cultural diversity, there are red carpet events, seminars, and a few parties to be held between September 25-29, 2009 at Chatrium Suites Bangkok; the seminars and workshops will be headed up by industry professionals on a wide and fascinating range of subject matters.

This year, the First Bangkok International Bangkok Animation Film Festival will also be held alongside the BKIFF on September 25 & 30, 2009 at Paragon Cineplex, Paragon Shopping Complex, and at SF World Cinema, Central World.

Over 40 animation films from around the world are competing and will be shown during the festival including 5 animation films from the US, 11 from Europe, 12 from Asia-Pacific, and 8 from Thailand. Jointly organized by the Software Industry Promotion Agency and the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, the animation festival aims to promote the creative economy concept.

The Bangkok International Animation Film Festival 2009 aims to provide a source of inspiration for youngsters to showcase their creative mind and for new-genre entrepreneurs to apply their creativities in the commercial world, while at the same time, promoting the concept of a creative economy to international audiences.

The TAT has invited over 50 media from overseas to join this event and also arranged pre and post tours for them to survey locations for film shooting in Thailand.

Encouraging more films to be shot in Thailand is a strategic objective of the TAT as it seeks to promote the kingdom as a quality destination. Top locations for international film shooting in Thailand are Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

According to the Thailand Film Office, in 2009, the line-up of film shoots in Thailand included 21 feature films, 92 advertisements, 85 documentaries,
25 TV series, and 42 music videos. These are estimated to have generated revenues of 497.01 million baht. India ranked number 1 on the list followed by Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, USA, China, and other countries in Asia.