Bangkok International Film Festival 2008

[ranma500]

Hi,

May I put in a plug here for the Bangkok International Film Festival.

There are over sixty films in the festival from all over the world.

You can check out the details at:

www.bangkokfilm.org

The schedule will be released early next week.

Some of the films will sell out, so make sure you buy tickets early.

There are also some great seminar events.

I include details below.

Thanks.

ranma

Schedule of Seminars and special events

Bangkok International Film Festival 2008

We are pleased to be able to announce an exciting line-up of special events, seminars, and panel discussions, led by some leading figures in the international film industry.

These events are sure to be extremely popular, and places are extremely limited. All events are strictly by invitation only. To request an invitation, please send an email to Special Program Department at [email protected]

1. SONY CINEALTA WORKSHOP

This workshop gives attendees a rare chance to get hands on experience with the latest Sony Digital cameras including the SONY F23, F35, and F900 in a real studio environment. The recorded footage will then be taken through a full post-production workflow, to demonstrate the total end-to-end Sony solution. There will also be an opportunity to tour the post-production facilities of Kantana Laboratory, an introduction to current and future technology by a senior representative of Sony, and a private farewell party.

MAIN HOST SONY / KANTANA

ATTENDANT 30 Thai and foreign students.

PERIOD 23rd – 29th September 2008

VENUE Kantana (Meng Jai), Pullman Hotel

2. DIGITAL CINEMA

There can be little doubt that digital technology will increasingly replace film as a distribution means. In this seminar, Dolby Laboratory will demonstrate the latest stunning digital quality of both audio and video. Hubert Henle, Director of Production Services at Dolby will guide us through this fascinating in-depth look at the biggest change in cinema technology since the advent of sound.

MAIN HOST Goldenduck Co., Ltd.

ATTENDANT Film Directors / Film Producers / Film critics / Students and all those interested in digital contents – limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 1.00 – 3.00 pm. on September 27th, 2008

VENUE Room ALFA @ Pullman Hotel

3. THE ROLE OF EAST ASIAN MOVIES IN WORLD MARKET

Peter Chan will share his experiences in the production of ‘The Warlords’, a production that achieved the rare success of both critical acclaim, commercial success in its home territory, and a worldwide release.

“The Warlords” was also a fine example of a successful use of the co-production method of finance. Finally, it is remarkable that this film was both produced and directed by one man - Peter Chan. In this valuable seminar, he will explain how he managed to avoid the common pitfalls of such endeavors and reach a world market. For anyone who wants to know how to turn a domestically produced, local film into an international hit, this seminar is a must.

MAIN HOST Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand

ATTENDANT Film Directors / Film Producers / Film critics / Students and all who are interested. Limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 9.00 – 12.00 am. on September 27th, 2008

VENUE Room ALFA @ Pullman Hotel

4. TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL FILM PRODUCTIONS

Bill Bowling has for many years been one of Hollywood’s top location managers working on films such as “Starship Troopers”, “Saving Private Ryan’ and “Speed Racer”. He is now the Worldwide Location Executive for Warner Brothers. In his career, he has travelled to many countries, and has frequently consulted to countries wishing to build their production service industry and develop a film support program.

In this seminar, he will explore the requirements of a modern film production infrastructure, including aspects of technology, training and economic support, the challenges and opportunities of digital technology, and the role of Hollywood in the international production industry.

Many of Bill Bowling’s proposals and lessons are of value in any country, but he will also focus on the particular issues facing Thailand.

MAIN HOST Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand /

Department of Export Promotion

ATTENDANT Film Directors / Film Producers / Film critics / Students and all who are interested. Limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 9.00 – 12.00 am. on September 27th, 2008

VENUE Room BETA1 - 2 @ Pullman Hotel

5. THE PRODUCERS

Since the 1950s, when the ‘auteur theory’ became popular, it is usually the director of a film who is seen as the creative force behind a film. Many people can name famous directors, but few even know what a producer actually does.

The whole definition is further confused by the fact that sometimes there are a number of producers credited on a film, and sometimes Co-producers, Executive Producers, Associate Producers, and Line Producers.

In this event, we will learn what the creative role of a producer is, how he works with a director, where the money for a film comes from, and how the producer controls the budget. We will discuss the state of the film industry, the effects of digital technology, and the future of cinema. To guide us in this exploration we have two truly great producers.

Roger Corman has produced over 300 films. (He has also directed over fifty). At his peak of productivity in the sixties, he was producing seven films a year. Many successful film directors got their first break working for Roger Corman, including James Cameron (Terminator, Titanic) He ‘discovered’ a number of actors including Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Dennis Hopper, Talia Shire, and Robert De Niro.

His autobiography, How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime, is a ‘bible’ for many filmmakers.

Ian Smith OBE is certainly one of the most experienced and respected film producers in the UK. In a career spanning over thirty years, he has worked on an extraordinary number of great films, including "Chariots of Fire”, "Local Hero", "The Killing Fields", "The Mission”, "1492 - Conquest of Paradise", "Mary Reilly", "The Fifth Element", "Seven Years in Tibet" and "Entrapment".

Most recently, he produced “Alexander”, “Children of Men”, and “Wanted”.

Iain Smith he has frequently travelled to faraway places, sometimes filming in very challenging locations (“The Mission”). He has enjoyed filming in Thailand on a number of occasions.

MAIN HOST Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand

ATTENDANT Film Producers / Directors / Executives / Students and all who are interested – Limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 1.00 – 3.00 pm. on September 25th, 2008

VENUE Pullman Hotel

6. THAILAND : A FILM FRIENDLY COUNTRY

In this event, we discover the many different features that make Thailand such an attractive place to shoot films.

The natural landscape, the historic sites, the diverse range of architectural styles, and the wide range of cultural influences make Thailand not only a beautiful filming location, but also one that can be adapted to many different filming requirements.

Thailand can also offer a comprehensive production infrastructure, with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class post-production facilities.

Equally important are the skills of the local workforce, which manages to combine efficiency, speed, and creativity with a friendly, helpful attitude that makes work a pleasure.

The government is increasingly recognizing the value of the film industry and providing support.

All these factors justify the title of the seminar – that Thailand is indeed a film-friendly country.

This event will be presented by Mrs. Thanitta Maneechote, Director–General to the Office of Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and Miss Sasisupha Sangwaribut, Chairman of Thai Film Production Services Association, and Mr. Surachet Atsawaruanganan from Kantana Group Co., Ltd.

MAIN HOST Office of Tourism Development,

Ministry of Tourism and Sports

ATTENDANT Filmmakers, foreign guests, representatives of the Thai Film Production Services Association / students and other interested parties. Limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 1.30 – 3.00 pm. on September 28th, 2008

VENUE Room ALFA @ Pullman Hotel

7. MPA: TRENDS IN INTERNET PIRACY

Film and video piracy is responsible for industry losses of over 6 billion dollars a year, according to latest figures. This is an international problem, and Asia has in the past been seen as an area where piracy was widespread.

However, new laws, initiatives, and industry support has begun to turn the tide.

In 2007, the MPA's operations in the Asia-Pacific region investigated more than 36,200 cases of piracy and assisted law enforcement officials in conducting nearly 13,000 raids. These activities resulted in the seizure of more than 31 million illegal optical discs, 40 factory optical disc production lines and 6,400 optical disc burners, as well as the initiation of more than 10,000 legal actions.

In this event, we welcome Mr. Michael C. Ellis, President and Marketing Director, Asia – Pacific – Motion Picture Association of America. He will expose the methods used by the pirates, explore ways that we can combat the problem, and reveal the disturbing connection between film piracy and organized crime.

MAIN HOST Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand

ATTENDANT Film Directors / Film Producesr / Film critics / Student and all interested parties – Limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 1.00 – 1.30 pm. on September 29th, 2008

VENUE Room ALFA @ Pullman Hotel

8. PITCHING IN 3 MINUTE BY DR. NARUMON SRIYANON

This event should fascinate anyone who has ever had an idea for a feature film but does not know how to approach studios or investors. It features three established industry figures who will teach us the valuable skill of the attractive pitch. The event will include audience participation.

Dr. Narumol Sriyanond is the founder of Women in Focus Productions, Inc, and produced and directed " Thai Women: Challenging AIDS." In 2006, she was selected as a mentor for the Project: Involve Program, organized by Film Independent, Los Angeles. As a documentary filmmaker, Dr. Sriyanond was the winner of 2006 WIF/GM Alliance Acceleration Grant for Emerging Filmmakers: Women in Film GM. At Present, she is the President of In Focus Pictures, Inc, and produces the feature documentary film, " Building for Life." She earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Performance Studies at NYU'sTisch School of the Arts. She also earned an M.F.A. from NYU'sTisch School of the Arts Institute of Film and Television. www.challengingaids.com

Tim G. Zajaros Jr. presently works as a writer and producer for IN FOCUS PICTURES, INC. (INF); co-founded, with Dr. Narumol Sriyanond, the motion picture production company Auroras Pictures International (API); and co-created, with Dr. Narumol Sriyanond and IBM Executive Hugh Taylor, the non-profit organization "Building for Life" (BFL). INF has one feature film in development ( "The Untitled Siriporn Thaweesuk Story"). Both INF and BFL's projects will continue to expand as they build their presence both Nationally and Internationally. Tim studied at Western Michigan University, where he received a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, emphasized on Finance and Marketing, and Spanish. He graduated magna Cum laude, at the top of his class. He also established himself within the entertainment industry as he was working in the Business Affairs department.

Hugh Taylor presently works for Social Software Evangelist, Lotus Software, IBM Software Group, at IBM, Los Angeles. He is an author, speaker, trainer and executive whose core areas of expertise include the role of information technology in business, business process management and compliance, public relations, and film development. Hugh Taylor was Vice President of Development of a leading independent production company. He also teaches at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Information. Hugh Taylor is the creator of the Building for Life project. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Business Administration from Harvard

MAIN HOST Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand

ATTENDANT Film Directors / Film Producers / Film critics / Students and all interested parties – Limited to 60 persons

PERIOD 1.30 – 3.00 pm. on September 29th, 2008

VENUE Room ALFA @ Pullman Hotel

N.B. All seminars are strictly by invitation only.

To request an invitation, please respond a.s.a.p. to:

[email protected]

Priority will be given to film industry representatives, students, writers, and those who are most likely to benefit from the events. Please include information about yourself in your email.

[jdinasia]

Who is getting the payola this year?

[Jingthing]

There is going to be alot less flash this year. I doubt there will be any payola. See you at the festival, film buffs.

[Antimony]

I am so going. I hope I can get some swag.

[TheWalkingMan]

Who is getting the payola this year?

Guilty as charged!

[RakJungTorlae]

Oh man.. I haven't started filming my (Super F me up) documentary…. It should seriously win….

[Florin]

Ooo, Roger Corman, this I gotta see!

[thithi]

aww mannn i wanna go!!

...but the crap exam! geeeeeeeeeeeees