Make a short, win a prize

The 9 Film Fest is back for a second year and with it the chance for moviemakers to win a very generous top prize of Bt600,000.
The “9” in the title refers to the length limitation placed the submitted films – they all must run for nine minutes.
Last year, every film had to include the number nine as a “signature item”.
This year, the “signature item” is the heart and each short must have a heart in some form or another.
As before, the submitted films will be judged by a panel of well-known figures from the industry.
This year’s jury is made up of MC Chatrichalerm “Than Mui” Yukol, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Australia’s George Miller (“Happy Feet”, “Babe”), American screenwriter David Giler and Kanin Ramasoot, a finalist from last year’s 9 Film Fest.
Than Mui says that he won’t be using any particular technical criteria to judge the shorts but will rely in his impressions. “I will judge from the heart,” he says.
Young director Kanin says that technique is not critical. “I want to see movies that use creative ideas for narrating the story. As each film is only nine minutes long, you can use any device you like to make a films and create your own signature,” he says.
The committee will review submissions and select a shortlist. The nine finalists will then be selected at the finalist dinner on June 13 at the Vie Hotel.
 
HEARTBEAT
The 9 Film Fest will be held on June 17 at Paragon Cineplex, with the screening of the nine finalists and presentation of awards.
The deadline for early entries (Bt300 fee) is April 23. The regular deadline (Bt450 fee) is May 7.
AIS customers can watch and vote for their favourite from May 24 to June 14.
Visit www.9FilmFest.com or the fest’s page on Facebook.