The 6th Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival is Ready to Kick Off Southeast Asian titles plus films from China, Korea and Japan will be screened in cinemas with free admission from September 3-6, 2020

August 27, 2020, Bangkok: Minister of Culture Mr. Ittipol Khunpluem chairs a press conference to announce the 6th Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival (2020), joined by Mr. Kitsayapong Siri, Permanent Secretary for Culture. Present at the press gathering are also executives of the ministry, the National Film and Video Committee, the National Federation of Thai Film Associations, as well as film-related government and private agencies on August 27, at Hall 1 of Wattanathamwisit Building, Ministry of Culture.

Mr. Ittipol said that this year’s Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival , which will be held from September 3-6, marks the 6th edition of the event that has grown in strength over the years. This year the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the film industry and film festivals around the world, such as Cannes Film Festival and Hong Kong International Film and TV Market. Many film festivals have decided to hold an online version instead.

However, the situation in Thailand has been under control due to an effective government management, an exchange of information between various agencies and strong cooperation from the people. The Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival will be held on-site with actuall theatrical screenings, which will reassure the international film community and demonstrate the potential of the Thai film industry. The festival will also drive the 3rd phase of the Strategic Development Plan for Film and Video Industry (2017-2021), which aims to use cultural dimensions to create good relations between countries to generate revenue for Thailand and promote Bangkok as the center of ASEAN film community.

Mr. Ittipol added that the festival will take place at SF World Cinema, Central World, Bangkok. The festival will screen quality films from ASEAN member nations, as well as from China, Korea and Japan. The program is as follows:
1). SHOWCASE: ASEAN PLUS. Films from ASEAN member nations, plus films from China, South Korea and Japan. In total 5 films, each film will be shown once.
 (1) Balloon by Pema Tseden (China)
 (2)  A Girl Missing by Koji Fukada (Japan)
 (3) The Long Walk by Mattie Do (Laos)
 (4) Rom by Tran Thanh Huy (Vietnam)
 (5) The Science of Fictions by Yosep Anggi Noen (Indonesia)

2). ASEAN SHORT FILM COMPETITION. Fifteen short films selected by Thai and international selection committee. The short films will compete for the following awards:

1.    BEST ASEAN SHORT FILM - The winner will receive a trophy and 2,000 USD
2.   JURY PRIZE - The winner will receive a trophy and 1,000 USD
3.   SPECIAL MENTION - The winner will receive a trophy and 500 USD

3). ASEAN Classic: Thai Film Archive will screen Nam Peung Pra Jan (The Honeymoon), a classic 1972 film directed by Charin Nuntanakorn and starring Sombat Metanee and Petchara Chaowarat.

 
Besides film screening, the festival hosts the first SOUTHEAST ASIAN PROJECT PITCH (SEA PITCH), which selects 8 film projects submitted by ASEAN filmmakers.  The selected directors and producers will participate in an online pitching workshop with two international experts, to prepare for a pitching session with an international committee. There are three awards:

            1. SEAPITCH Award - The winner will receive a trophy and 5,000 USD
            2. Runner-Up Prize - The winner will receive a trophy and 3,000 USD
            3. SPECIAL MENTION - The winner will receive a trophy and 2,000 USD

Finally, the festival will hosts a seminar “The Road Ahead : Thai film and Video Industry After Covid 2019”, which will be held on the 8th floor of the Ministry of Culture.

In addition, the festival will present Lifetime Achievement Award to Petchara Chaowarat, an internationally renowned Thai actress.

The Opening Ceremony of the 6th Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival will take place at Master Card Cinema, 9th floor of SF World Cinema, Central World on September 3, 2020. The Awards Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony will be on September 6, 2020 at CAT First Class Cinema, 8th Floor of SF World Cinema, Central World.
 
All films will be screened with Thai and English subtitles. Admission is free. Audiences are required to reserve tickets in advance at www. baff.go.th and  www.facebook.com/BangkokAseanFilmFestival beginning from September 1, 2020. Tickets must be picked up at the festival’s reception desk 30 minutes before show time (1 person per 1 ticket).

For more information call 02-643-9100, or visit the website at www.facebook.com/BangkokAseanFilmFestival