Social and Regional Changes To Be Highlighted at 2009 Bangkok Film Festival

Social and Regional Changes To Be Highlighted at 2009 Bangkok Film Festival

BANGKOK, August 18/PRNewswire/ --

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

According to Mr. Jareuk Kaljareuk, Chairman of the Federation of National
Film Associations of Thailand (FNFAT), and the Festival Director of
BKKIFF'09, "The film programme will reflect and display the growing strength
of filmmakers in the ASEAN region, the role of film in rapidly changing
societies, and the technological developments that have made this possible.
It will focus particularly on the new generation of filmmakers in the region,
throughout Asia, and around the world."

The focus on ASEAN filmmakers is especially important in the context of
the new direction of ASEAN to create a stronger 10-member community of
nations banded together under the slogan "One Vision, One Identity, One
Sharing and Caring Community."

It is also in line with the objective of making BKKIFF the foremost film
festival of Southeast Asia.

Supported for the 7th year by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT),
this year's BKKIFF will showcase around 80 films from across the world. The
two competitive sections will comprise the Main Competition, featuring films
by first and second-time directors, and the Southeast Asian Competition,
featuring films from the region.

The films will be shows at SF World Cinema, CentralWorld, and Paragon
Cineplex, Siam Paragon. The Golden Kinnaree Awards ceremony will be held at
the Chatrium Suites Bangkok, a Dusit Thani Hotels partner.

Directors of Programming, Ms. Pimpaka Towira and Ms. Mai Meksawan have
put together an exciting programme, after travelling many miles and spending
many hours to seek out fresh and creative examples of film-making.

The Thai Film Directors Association will once again lead the artistic
direction under its President, the well-known filmmaker Mr. Yongyoot
Thongkongtoon.

Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, the TAT Chairman, said: "BKKIFF is considered an
important international festival which now attracts respect and support
within both the domestic and international film industries. Moreover, it
raises the profile of Thailand as a nation of culture and has tangible
economic benefits.

"Thanks to the continued co-operation and commitment of all participants,
it has become a great opportunity to promote both the Thai film industry and
Thailand as the entertainment hub of the region and an international
filmmaking centre."

In turn, Mr. Jareuk says, "For a number of years, the Thai film industry
has expanded both in its technological advances, its professional skills, and
its artistic development. It is ready to take its place as a leading member
of the international filmmaking community."

Among the celebrities, directors, and producers expected to attend BKKIFF
'09 are the action stars, Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme, who will present his
brand new action feature, Mr. Armand Assante, the well-known martial artist
and action icon, and Mr. Byung-hun Lee, the Korean star who was picked by
Hollywood to star in the blockbuster of the year, "G.I.Joe: The Rise of
Cobra" as the leading character 'Storm Shadow'.

Mr. Lee also captured Thai hearts with his role in the popular series
"All In".

The theme of this year's festival is "Beauty Eternal", which will reflect
the period of the 60s. In line with that, the opening ceremony, to be held in
front of CentralWorld, will take on a classical theme, emphasizing the rich
cultural heritage of Thailand, and the important and long-held role of film
within Thai culture.

The Seminars and Workshops will be held between 25-29 September, 2009, at
the Chatrium Suites Bangkok.

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.

At last year's festival, a bold and exciting programme of films,
informative seminars, and a plethora of local and international stars made it
an enormous success, attracting over 15,000 attendees, and overwhelmingly
positive feedback.

It attracted a wider range of audience, including many who had never
previously attended film events. This year, it is hoped to build on that
success.

The final film programme will be announced on 5 September.

For further information:
Tel: +66-2-6415917, +66-2-2030624
Fax: +66-2-6415919,
email: info@bangkokfilm.org
website: www.bangkokfilm.org

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), +66-2-6415917, +66-2-2030624, fax, +66-2-6415919, info@bangkokfilm.org

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