Thai Cinema - Part 4

[Braveheart]

Festivals and Awards

Film Festivals

The first regular film festival in Thailand was the Bangkok Film Festival, which started sometime in 1998. The Bangkok International Film Festival started in 2003. It is held annually at the beginning of the year. The World Film Festival of Bangkok also began in 2003 and it is held annually in October.

 

Film Awards

The first film awards in Thailand were the "Golden Doll" awards given by Tukata Tong magazine. The awards were first given in 1957. The statuette at first was a Thai classical dancer and later it was modelled after Phra Suratsawadi, the Thai-Hindu god of art. King Bhumibol Adulyadej handed out the awards in 1965 and '66. The Tukata Tong awards were discontinued after eight years due to organizational problems, but were revived in 1974 by the Association of Entertainment New Journalists of Thailand. They exist today as the Star Entertainment Award.

 

The Thailand National Film Association Awards are organised by the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand. The name of the award is the Subhanahongsa Award.

 

There is also the Bangkok Critics Assembly, which gives awards chosen by a panel of around 20 members.

 

Key Figures

Actors

[*]Mitr Chaibancha