Scheduled for June 4-13, the Phuket Film Festival offers 10 days of award-winning movies, parties and networking events with international filmmakers, cultural activities and, of course, world-famous Thai hospitality.
The film festival is unique in that events will be held all over Phuket, allowing visitors to experience the spice of island life as activities take place in their backyards.
It will kick off on June 4 at the SFX Coliseum in Central Festival with a screening of India's official entry in the 2010 Oscars, Harishchandrachi Factory. Director/writer/producer Paresh Mokashi will be in attendance.
The Gala Opening will take place on June 5 at Royal Phuket Marina, one of the biggest boat marinas on the island. This is an evening of networking with movie stars, politicos and other VIPs from the island. It is supported by Kingfisher Beer, Mont Claire wine and great food from Skippers and Silk restaurants.
On June 6, moviegoers and music fans are invited to The Green Man pub and restaurant on Rawai beach to experience the Thai premiere of a Hollywood movie filmed in the kingdom, The Prince and Me 4: The Elephant Adventure. The screening will be followed by a music performance by internationally acclaimed rap band Thaitanium. Thai stars Ase Wang, Vithaya Pansringarm, Parinya Intachai and Amarin Cholvibul will attend.
The "Meet the Directors" session on June 8 at Cape Yamu will provide some of the most spectacular views of the islands in the Gulf and also some great company as film aficionados will join Hollywood director Darnell Martin for an informal evening of movie talk, networking, food and refreshment, while watching a screening of Darnell's Cadillac Records.
June 11 will see the Thai premiere of another film also shot here, Bitter/Sweet. Joining the movie's gala reception at Vijitt Resort on Rawai beach will be Thai actresses Napakprapa 'Mamee' Nakprasit and Viyada Umarin.
The festival winds up with a world premiere screening of Thai director Yuthlert Sippapak's Friday Killer, which will be held at Kargo in the Laguna area on June 13.
Discounted beverages and great food will be available as Yuthlert unfurls his 'director's cut' of the first in his Killers trilogy. This is a wonderful opportunity to kick back with one of Thailand's most prolific movie directors to discuss the Thai film industry.
Also included in the programme line-up is the international premiere of Adrian Granier's documentary Teenage Paparazzo, the Vietnamese action thriller Bay Rong (The Clash), Australian comedy Bran Nue Dae and Canadian thriller Repo Men.
The festival also pays tribute to Thai director Kom Akadej by offering free screenings of his classic films.
Tickets for all events are available at the main theatre screening location, the Coliseum Cineplex in Phuket Town.
For more information, please call the Festival Hot Line on 081-722-4461 or visit http://www.phuketfilmfestival.asia.
