As much about driving the cinema industry and making global connections as offering visual pleasure, the Bangkok International Film Festival 2025 got underway at the weekend, much to the delight of the city’s cinephiles.
“There is more to the festival than just watching films,” confirmed Pimpaka Towira, Executive Director of BKKIFF 2025. “We also want to promote growth and create dialogue among people in the industry.”
This ambitious mission set the stage for a spectacular opening night, marking the festival’s return after a 16-year hiatus. The grand event immediately reinforced Bangkok's role as Southeast Asia's hub for film and contemporary culture, showcasing over 200 films and, crucially, offering a vital “Film Market” to connect Thai creators with global investors and producers.
More than a showcase: A global platform
Running through October 15, the BKKIFF 2025 is being supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Cultural Promotion, and the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA).
Festival Director Donsaron Kovitvanticha emphasized that the event goes beyond film screenings; it functions as an essential platform for learning and opportunity.
Thai creators can now meet directors, producers, and investors from around the globe, sharing experiences and forging new collaborations that will elevate Thai cinema to international recognition and inspire the next generation of local filmmakers.
The festival features more than 200 films from 40 countries across features, shorts, documentaries, and animation, screening at Major Cineplex and SF Cinema locations, as well as House Samyan and Lido Connect.
International highlights include Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski (winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes 2025), Dreams (Sex Love) by Dag Johan Haugerud (Golden Bear winner at Berlinale 2025), and The Chronology of Water, Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut. “I don't want anyone to miss a single thing,” Donsaron told Thai PBS World.
Over 70 filmmakers will join the festival to lead discussions and panels, actively fostering the dialogue.
Connecting Creators and Capital
A cornerstone of this year’s festival is the dedicated Film Market, a crucial step in linking the Thai film industry to the international stage.
Pimpaka confirmed that over 50 Thai film companies will participate in business negotiations from October 1–4 at ICONSIAM.
The Film Market features in-depth seminars led by international film buyers, masterclasses with world-renowned directors and actors, and two critical pitching competitions: “Asian Project Pitching” and “Thai Project Pitching”.
These competitions have attracted significant attention, receiving 366 Asian short films, 106 Asian project submissions, and 51 Thai project submissions, which distinguished juries reviewed.
Finalists receive workshops and training before pitching their projects directly to domestic and global investors for prizes worth over US$25,000.
“I'd like to call all interested filmmakers, especially young filmmakers to observe the pitching sessions so they know how they actually do it in the international market and can successfully pitch their projects in the future,” Pimpaka said.
A grand opening for a grand return
The festival kicked off with a spectacular ceremony at The Pinnacle Hall on the 8th floor of ICONSIAM. Leading artists, actors, directors, filmmakers, and influencers from Thailand and across Asia joined the celebration.
The evening featured a special performance by “Khru Lek” Patravadi Mejudhon, followed by the highly anticipated opening feature: the world premiere of the Thai sequel, “Tee Yod 3” (“Death Whisperer 3”).
Directed and produced by Naritt Yuvaboon and Thanadet Pradit, the film stars Nadech Kugimiya, Denise Jelilcha Kapaun, and Nina Nutthacha Jessica Padovan. The cast also joined the red carpet and opening ceremony.
The opening movie choice powerfully celebrates the return of the BKKIFF and champions the quality of domestic Thai cinema.
Where to Watch
The Bangkok International Film Festival 2025 runs from September 27 to October 15. The films are screened at Major Cineplex, SF Cinema, Lido Connect and House Samyan. For more details , follow BKKIFFofficial on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
Photo by Warunee Maneekum
