Bangkok International Film Festival to showcase global filmmaking from 'Masters to Present'

The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) will take place January 10 – 21, 2003 in an exciting new locale at the heart of Thailand’s vibrant capital, it was announced by Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in her capacity as President of the Festival, in Bangkok. The BKKIFF will showcase international filmmaking under the theme “Masters to Present”, bringing motion picture notaries from across the globe together in Bangkok, the crossroads of Asia.

The Governor stated: “We have had indications from filmmakers and film companies around the world that there is a need for an important focal point in Asia for film and media. As a result, we have decided to provide the additional resources both financially and culturally to make this happen and establish the Bangkok International Film Festival as the premier film festival event in Asia.”

Commented Patrick de Bokay, Executive Director and U.S. representative of the festival based in Los Angeles : “This will be an important marketing, media and entertainment platform for films in Southeast Asia. Because the major box office market in Asia begins with the Chinese New Year in January, the festival’s timing will be perfect to serve as the ideal launch pad for international films in Asia.”

Organised by TAT in cooperation with the Federation of the National Film Association, the 2003 BKKIFF will present 70 – 80 films from around the world. Eight of the top films will be chosen by an international jury to compete for a special new award, the Golden Kinnaree, based on an ancient Thai mythological figure.

Stated Patrick de Bokay: “We believe that the Golden Kinnaree will soon become the most highly regarded Asian prize for international filmmaking, the equivalent of the Palme d’Or at Cannes. As a whole, the festival will showcase the best in new global filmmaking while paying homage to revered cinematic artists from Asia and beyond.”

“Also we have already secured some of the latest Hollywood films, as well as some exciting up and coming movies for the festival. We are scheduled to make an official announcement of the competition selection at the end of November both in Bangkok and Los Angeles, “ said Mr. de Bokay. The Nation Multimedia Group is the coordinator for film selection with Journalist Mr. Nakorn Veerapravati, a member of the Bangkok Critics Assembly, as a consultant to the festival’s film selection committee.

In addition to the Golden Kinnaree, prizes will also be presented at the BKKIFF for Best New Director, Best Feature, Best Script, Special Jury Award, and People’s Choice. A special Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Irwin Winkler. Mr. Winkler is considered one of the world’s most accomplished directors and producers. His films include “Rocky” (1976), Raging Bull” (1980) and GoodFellas” (1990) to name a few.

The bulk of BKKIFF events and screenings will this year take place within a half-mile radius of the very heart of Bangkok, where exotic and ancient Thai culture meets sleek and state-of-the-art facilities. The festival’s top five-star hosting hotels (The Grand Hyatt Erawan, Le Meridian, The Regent Four Seasons, the Plaza Athenee and the Conrad) are all within quick walking distance, creating what will be an exciting, safe, and above all easy environment for festival attendees.

An array of tandem BKKIFF events will include a film market, workshops (anti-piracy, Asian film financing), lectures (digital cinema) and conferences (animation) with visiting experts from around the world, as well as a celebrity golf tournament at the Bangkok Golf Club, a performance by the Bangkok Symphony and a professional Muay Thai boxing tournament.

Standing as it does at the crossroads of Asia, Thailand is the logical home for an event of such growing importance to the world’s motion picture community as the BKKIFF. The festival marks the incorporation of two previously independent festivals (Anima 2003 & The Bangkok Short Film Festival) into the BKKIFF family, further ensuring that when it comes to the Asian film market, January is the time and Bangkok is the place.