Oct 30, 2017

Thai Night AFM 2017 to celebrate the talent at the heart of the Thai film industry.

Bangkok, October 29, 2017 - Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will preside over Thai Night AFM 2017 – Thailand Where Films Come Alive, an event of celebration of Thai cinema and its industry organized during the American Film Market and Conference 2017.

Held in Santa Monica on November 2nd by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the event will showcase the work of eight leading Thai film companies including Benetone Films, GDH 559, Hollywood (Thailand), Imagimax, Kantana Sound Studio, P.L.H. Holding, Sahamongkolfilm International and The Monk Studios.

A prime example of the Thai film industry’s growing confidence is the commercial and critical success of the teen youth thriller “BAD GENIUS” directed by Nattawut Poonpiriya and produced by Thai production house GDH. Thailand’s most successful film of 2017, “BAD GENIUS” not only broke the 100 million Baht mark (US$ 3 million) at the domestic box office, but ended up becoming one of the most successful Thai films overseas, breaking Thai film earning records in several Asian countries including China. In addition, the film received high praise at international festivals, winning multiple awards, including Best Feature at the New York Asian Film Festival and Best Director at the Fantasia International Film Festival. 

Meanwhile, the competitiveness of the local film production and post-production services has translated into an uninterrupted flow of international productions selecting Thailand as their shooting destination. Last year, the number of foreign films produced in Thailand increased by 15%. Over the same period, China lead with 65. Recent films shot in Thailand include “GOLD” starring Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramírez and Bryce Dallas Howard, “ALL I SEE IS YOU” starring Blake Lively and Jason Clarke, “MECHANIC RESURRECTION” starring Jason Statham, and “NO ESCAPE” starring Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan.

The attractiveness of Thailand as a film destination is set to increase thanks to the launch of the Thai film incentives. The new tax rebate program offers up to 20% cash rebate for local production expenditures that exceed US$1.5 million. The first international film to benefit from the tax rebate initiative is “CHANGELAND”, the directorial debut of actor Seth Green, starring himself and Breckin Meyer, and featuring Macaulay Culkin.