Department of Tourism announces the launch of Thailand International Film Destination Festival 2016 (TIFDF2016) with the concept “Best Vision Best Destination”, representing Thainess on films. Local wisdom and Thai way of life are represented, and people around the world can see the beauty of Thailand and Thai people’s unity and friendliness, proving that Thailand is a world-class film location, thereby promoting tourism in Thailand. The aim is to promote tourism in eight tourism areas as new filming locations. Film-students from around the world are invited to participate in The Amazing Thailand Film Challenge to portray the beauty of Thailand.
Mr. Pongpanu Svetarundra, Permanent Secretary Minister of Tourism and Sports, said, “Ministry of Tourism and Sports is directly responsible for tourism in Thailand. We have a policy to boost tourism to bring more income to the country and distribute the earnings throughout Thailand, while also improving the quality of Thai people and adding value to destinations in Thailand. The filming industry in Thailand is closely linked to tourism. It not only generates income for Thailand, but is also a good way of promoting beautiful places in Thailand for the rest of the world to see.”
“This year, Thailand International Film Destination Festival 2016 is created with the concept ‘Best Vision Best Destination’, representing the best vision at the best film destinations. Local wisdom and Thai way of life are represented, and people around the world can see the beauty of Thailand and Thai people’s unity and friendliness, proving that Thailand is a world-class film location,” said Mr. Pongpanu Svetarundra, Permanent Secretary Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Thailand International Film Destination Festival 2016 is organized by Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports. It has been held annually since 2013, with an aim to attract those in the film industry, both Thai and foreign, to shoot films in Thailand.
Mr. Pongpanu Svetarundra, Permanent Secretary Minister of Tourism and Sports, added, “Over the past four years that TIFDF has been held in Thailand, more and more films are shot in Thailand. In 2015, a total of 724 films were shot in Thailand, generating 3,164.30 million baht for the country. What makes Thailand the most popular filming location in Asia, trusted by Hollywood crews to shoot films like No Escape starring Owen Wilson, The Railway Man and The Impossible 2004, is that we have beautiful places, and the Thai crews are capable and ready. These factors are very important for filming crews.”
Miss Wannasiri Morakul, the director-general, Department of Tourism, said, “The activities follow the government’s policy to support tourism in Thailand through the promotion of eight tourism areas in the tourism strategy 2015 – 2017. These new filming locations in Thailand will be more known among filming crews around the world. The activities under TIFDF 2016, which will take place during July 4-13, include:
1) The Amazing Thailand Film Challenge (During July 4-12, 2016): This is a short film festival unlike any other. Over 200 teams of film-students from across the globe registered to this competition and a panel of honorable judges will select only 32 teams to come to Thailand and make a short film. Each team will comprise three film-students – two foreign film-students as producers and one Thai film-student as production assistant. This will be a fine opportunity for the participating teams to meet film-makers from across the world, to share ideas and forge new friendships, as well as to experience the extraordinary Kingdom of Thailand. This year, the concept is “Best Vision Best Destination”, telling stories through their vision at the best film destinations, representing Thainess on films. The aim is to promote tourism in eight tourism areas according to tourism strategies 2015 – 2017 so that the places attract attention from international filmmakers.
2) Thailand On Screen. A series of screenings will show the diverse range of films that have been shot in Thailand, with guest appearances by some of the film-makers and crew. The films will vary from Hollywood commercial films to independent works. There will be some classics and some films that are Thailand premieres. This activity will be held for the general public to see free of charge, during July 6th -12th , 2016,at Paragon Cineplex. There are 14 films from 10 countries
3) The Awards Ceremony. This event will be held on Wednesday 13th July, 2016 at the National Theater, an esteemed venue in Thailand, and to be joined by international actors.
The aim of these activities is to support Thai and foreign film-students from around the world who will be the next wave of the film industry, film producers, and film fans, both old and new. Thailand will be promoted as a beautiful and safe destination which is ready to welcome visitors. It also showcases the capability of the Thai filming crews. All in all, the goal is to foster positive relationship among Thailand and other countries and attract more filming crews from around the world.”