Bangkok – The Cannes of Southeast Asia

It looks as if Bangkok is on track to be the Cannes of Southeast Asia. The Tourism Authority of Thailand were pleased to announce the 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival, January 22-February 2, 2004. The festival is a major marketing, media and entertainment platform event in Southeast Asia. Because the major box office market in Asia begins with the Chinese New Year in January this proves to be the ideal platform for International films in Asia. January is also the best time of year for Asian films to premiere to the world as they begin their major festival and market circuit in the US and Europe.

The Bangkok International Film Festival this year will showcase approximately 150 films from around the world, highlighting the best international filmmaking of the year. A selection of these films will encompass our Official Competition. This program of approximately 12 films will be presented as Special Presentations, one playing each evening of the Festival. They will be screened by a jury of internationally renowned filmmakers who will present Golden Kinnaree Awards in the following categories: Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director.

New this year will be a program entitled ASEAN Panorama. This Panorama will be a collection of the best of ASEAN cinema this year. A collection of films from the 10 ASEAN countries (Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia) will be judged by the FIPRESCI Jury, who will present a Golden Kinnaree for the "Best ASEAN Film."

All the juried Golden Kinnaree Awards will be presented at the Awards Gala on January 31, 2004 at the Royal Thai Navy Auditorium. Also being presented the same evening will be The Crystal Lens Award to Christopher Doyle for his work in cinematography and a special Golden Kinnaree Award for Lifetime Achievement to Ratana Pestanji.

Venues for the Festival are

Grand EGV
Siam Tower 989 Rama 1, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 612 9999 Fax: 02 612 9900
http://www.egv.com

EGV Metropolis
Siam Tower 989 Rama 1, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 612 9999 Fax: 02 612 9900
http://www.egv.com

Major Cineplex WTC
7th Floor, World Trade Center Tower, 7/1-2Rajdamri Road, Pathunwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 255 6565 Fax: 02 255 6592
http://www.majorcineplex.com

Apex Lido 2 / Scala/Siam
256 Rama1 Rd., Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 252 8809, 02 251 1265 Fax: 02 255 3131
http://www.apexsiam-square.com

SF Cinema City MBK
7th Floor, Mah Boonkrong Center, 444 Phayathai Rd., Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02 611 7111 Fax: 02 611 7138
http://www.sfcinema.com