BKKIFF 2026 aims to bring Thailand’s film industry to the global stage

The Bangkok International Film Festival 2026, or BKKIFF, is returning on a grand scale.

The festival aims to raise its international profile, establish a place on the global film calendar, connect industry networks and create business opportunities.

The Film Lab and Technique Association held a press conference on August 13 at SCBX NEXT TECH in Siam Paragon.

The event is supported by the Department of Cultural Promotion under the Ministry of Culture to lay the foundations for a consistent, clearly defined international film festival for Thailand that is recognised on the global film-industry calendar.

BKKIFF is being developed as more than a platform for film screenings. It is intended to connect filmmakers, their work, industry professionals and film-industry networks in Thailand with the international community. The festival will run from September 13 to 27.

Thai cinema has potential

“Cinema is not merely a form of entertainment. It is an important force for presenting Thai identity and cultural values to the world.

“Thailand is well prepared in terms of content, personnel and a new generation of actors. The ministry therefore intends to create an environment that serves as a pillar for strengthening the Thai film industry.”

Saratsanun Unnopporn, secretary to the culture minister, said on stage.

“The government regards the entertainment industry as an important asset in global competition. This is a timely opportunity to build on that strength and genuinely spread opportunities and income among the public.

“The ministry will provide continuing support so that producers can move forward strategically.”

Promoting a Thai festival on the global film stage

“This year’s opening film is 9 Temples to Heaven, a co-production between Thailand, France and Singapore that received support from the Department of Cultural Promotion.

“Directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse and produced by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, it is the first Thai film in more than 10 years to be selected for screening in a parallel section at the Cannes Film Festival.

“It also won two major awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival and is now being screened around the world.”

Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, festival director of the Bangkok International Film Festival 2026, said on stage.

Seven cast members were invited on stage. One of the actors said: “Although the film’s title refers to religion, the central theme that made the strongest impression was family relationships, which will enable Thai audiences to connect deeply with the characters.”

The festival will feature more than 150 films spanning a wide range of genres.

Highlights include:

• Award-winning international films such as The Man I Love and All of a Sudden, a Cannes Best Actress award winner.
• The Asian premiere of the Philippine film Silent Night.
• Thai competition titles such as The Undertaker 2: World After Death.
• First Cut, a documentary that recently won an award in New Zealand and will compete in the New Voice Competition.

This year’s return of the Bangkok International Film Festival is intended to lay the foundations for a clearly defined role in the global film industry, enabling BKKIFF to grow consistently and gain international recognition.

The goal is to raise the festival to FIAPF A-list status.

Work to meet the relevant criteria is underway.

If the goal is achieved, Thailand will become the first country in Southeast Asia to have a film festival comparable with the world’s leading festivals.

The effort will proceed alongside the expansion of collaborative networks with leading film festivals and organisations in other countries.

The festival also places importance on connecting people in the film industry. It aims to give promising rising-star actors from countries across Asia opportunities to meet filmmakers, producers and industry professionals from around the world, build networks, develop their work and find routes to the international stage.

Continuity is essential

This year marks the first appointment of festival ambassadors for BKKIFF: Ananda Everingham and Aim Bhumibhat Thavornsiri.

“The festival ambassador’s main role is to provide entertainment and narrow the gap between the festival and its audience, making it accessible to the general public rather than only to people in the industry.

“What will enable the festival to grow in a meaningful way is continuity. When it is held every year, filmmakers, audiences and industry professionals will begin to remember it, develop confidence in it and plan to return to connect and work with us.

“Continuity therefore means more than simply holding the event every year. It means gradually building networks, relationships and new opportunities that grow alongside the Thai film industry.”

Ananda Everingham, a festival ambassador for the Bangkok International Film Festival 2026, said on stage.

“What I would like to see is the Bangkok International Film Festival growing alongside the Thai film industry and becoming a place to which people from around the world want to return to meet, exchange ideas and develop partnerships.

“A film festival does not grow from the success of a single edition. It grows through continuous, systematic development that builds recognition and leads to new partnerships in the future.”

Film festivals are for everyone

Aim Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, a festival ambassador for the Bangkok International Film Festival 2026, said:

“A film festival acts as both a cog and a mirror, reflecting the identity of its city and the country’s film industry.

“A strong film festival should not merely be a place where audiences watch films. It should help them see that behind each film are people, creativity, working processes and many other elements that collectively drive the industry.

“At the same time, it should be a place where industry professionals can meet, exchange ideas and create new opportunities.

“The important task for this festival is to enable audiences and international participants to see that Thailand’s potential lies not only in its stories or interesting locations.

“It also lies in Thai people, who possess the creativity, skills, experience and ability to produce work at every stage.

“The festival does not merely aim to bring films from around the world to be screened in Thailand. It seeks to bring audiences closer to the world of cinema.

“It should give Thai professionals opportunities to demonstrate their potential and develop new opportunities, collectively helping the Thai film industry to continue growing.”

Schedule and highlights: September 13–27

• September 13: The opening ceremony will be held at ICONSIAM. Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will graciously preside over the ceremony. The highlight will be a red-carpet event beside the Chao Phraya River, with actors from around the world travelling by boat and docking at ICONSIAM.
• September 14–15: International actors will visit tourist attractions and see Thailand’s potential as a filming location, including temples in Ayutthaya.
• September 16: A studio tour will include The Studio Park, where productions including Alien and Tham Luang were filmed, as well as Studio Line, Workpoint and Kantana. Participants will see filming equipment, observe underwater filming and tour a large virtual studio.
• September 17: The Surasawadee Rising Star Gala Night will be held at Cloud to present awards to rising-star actors from Thailand and elsewhere in Asia. The Director’s Night Party will provide networking opportunities for Thai and international directors.
• September 18–19: A tribute exhibition honouring Visute Poolvoralaks will feature a programme of rarely screened Tai Entertainment films that have been newly scanned. The Love and Others with Hidden Location seminar will bring Hollywood location managers, including members of the Game of Thrones team, to share knowledge about finding hidden locations in Thailand.
• September 20: The Unmute activity, organised by the sound creators’ association, will offer a workshop featuring an immersive Atmos sound experience and live sound mixing to accompany a film.
• September 22–24: The Film Market will bring together 50 buyers from different countries. Activities will include a hand-drawn animation workshop, a showcase screening of work by Thai students at an international level, and the Project Market & Story Hub, a platform for selling scripts and film projects.
• September 27: The closing ceremony will be held, and awards will be announced for films competing at the festival.
• Participating cinemas will include SF World Cinema at CentralWorld, Paragon Cineplex, ICON CINECONIC, House Samyan and Doc Club. Song Wat will be designated as a special hangout area. The programme also lists a “Bangkok Art Festival warehouse”, together with exhibitions and film screenings in the district from September 14 to 20.

Source: Bangkokbiznews