Bangkok International Film Festival 2003

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Schedule : 10 - 21 January 2003

Venue : Siam Square, Bangkok

Nothing has the only one facet in itself, so does Thailand. Standing through eras and ages, it is a land of long and various cultural heritages. Now Bangkok, the most vibrant capital of the Thai Kingdom, is going to host the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) during January 10-21, 2003 under the auspices of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and The Nation Group, Thailand.

The theme of this year’s BFFIFF is ‘From Masters to Present’, which will honor the great directors of the 20th century while embracing the new era of independent directors within. With the great intention, this grand festival is organized to render itself the premier film festival in Asia and, in turn, inaugurate Bangkok as the focal point for the film and media industry of the region. Along side with the screen of as much as 70-80 films from various countries, many film-related activities will be held to attract any interested moviegoers.

The opening ceremony of the BKKIFF will take place on January 17, 2003 at the long-established Scala cinema, Siam Square. The ceremony will incorporate the opening of the Golden Kinnaree Competition and Jury Presentation and the Red Carpet Arrivals of many well-recognized people in showbiz. It was quoted as saying by Kriangsak Silakong, the program director of the festival, that the world famous new-age female film director, Agnes Varta, will be present in this event as well.

Golden Kinnaree Award, based on an ancient Thai mythological figure, will be given to eight of the top films by an international jury. In addition, prizes will be also presented at the festival for Best Director, Best Feature, Best Script, Best Art Direction and the People’s Choice Award. The presentation will be made at the Thailand Cultural Center on the last day of the festival, January 21, 2003.

From January 10 to January 21, festival participants will have a great chance to enjoy a wide array of good-quality flicks from every side of the world. One of the highlighted Asian film would go to the Japanese film, ‘Mars Cannon’, directed by a new director, Kasama Chiori, who won prizes in Tokyo Film Festival in 2001 and in many international film festivals in Berlin, New York and Chicago. Climax from Europe has to go to the Mexican film, ‘Japon’, directed by a Latino director, Carlos Reygadas. Other recommended local films include the historic movie, Bang Rajan, Blissfully Yours (Sut Saneiha), Kunpan and Tears of Black Tigers (Fa Talai Joan).