DITP at American Film Market 2018: Discover Thai Film Industry and the Benefits of Filming in Thailand


LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government attends the American Film Market and organizes ‘Thai Night at the AFM 2018’ on November 1st, 2018 to foster the development of the Thai film industry.

As Thailand is becoming a creative hub for filmmakers and content buyers, DITP aims to establish the country as the movie making center of Southeast Asia by capitalizing on Thailand’s strengths regarding creativity, production cost, location, computer graphic innovation and co-production at the American Film Market to be held from October 31 to November 7, 2018 in Santa Monica, California, where Thai Studios as well as representatives from the government and private sectors will be looking to expand their distributions and publicize the many opportunities that exist in the filming industry in Thailand. It is your chance to make connections in the fast-growing Thai film industry at Thai Night.

Founded in 1981, the American Film Market (AFM) quickly became the premiere global film marketplace where Hollywood’s decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike any other film festivals, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than US$800 million worth of business negotiation will be finalized on completed films and those in production, making AFM a must-attend industry event.

Thai Night at the AFM provides a unique setting for people involved in the film and entertainment industry to come together and to find a networking venue through which to negotiate investment at an international level. The event will be presided by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi and attended by Miss Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Deputy Minister of Commerce of Thailand including senior officers, business leaders and members of the film and entertainment industry.

Thailand has one of the world's most attractive incentive programs for film makers, offering a 15 to 17% rebate on local spending and an additional 3% for hiring the Thai crew. The measures have attracted a wide array of foreign projects being shot in Thailand. The incentives have proved to be a hit with the international community, reflecting an impressive record of 448 foreign movies shot in Thailand from January to August 2018, generating 1.7 billion baht (US 51 million dollars) worth of investment. Besides the expectation to create international investment partnerships in the film and entertainment industry, the most important outcome of the Thai Night is that it will lead to a continued cultural exchange between Thailand and the international community.

Hollywood has acknowledged Thailand’s creativity through publicly acclaimed Thai talents such as Suttirat Anne Larlarb, a Thai-American costume designer who has worked on The Beach, Sunshine, Steve Jobs and Slumdog Millionaire; Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Thai cinematographer, from Call Me by Your Name. Both have gone on to serve as judges at the Academy Awards, along with Bongkod Bencharongkul, a producer of a tragic story of friendship : Sad Beauty. Bencharongkul's Sad Beauty demonstrates how the new generation of Thai film makers are prepared to explore uncharted boundaries and willing to take risks. Bencharongkul quoted, "It is an exciting time to be involved in Thailand's movie industry. The creativity and technical skills of the brilliant minds behind Thai film industry are driving a resurgence of quality film."

To find out more, please contact the Thailand Film Office, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports: film@thailandfilmoffice.org or visit the Thailand Film Office booth No.5B, Atrium, 5th Floor during AFM. Conveniently adjacent to it, you will find DITP information stand No.5C which provides information on business matching with top eight potential Thai companies.

For more information, please visit : www.ditp.go.th, https://www.facebook.com/thailandfilms

Contact: 
ent@ditp.go.th