Pattaya City is gearing up for the highly anticipated Pattaya Film Festival 2024, an event designed to enhance the city’s tourism appeal and support its ambition to be recognised as a UNESCO City of Film. Through various film-related activities, the festival aims to position Pattaya as a hub for the film industry, aligning with the Pattaya City Development Plan (2023-2027). The city has solidified its commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 12 prominent organisations, including the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand, the Department of Tourism, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation), the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organisation), the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organisation), the Film Archive (Public Organisation), Thammasat University, Burapha University, the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations, the Thai Animation and Computer Graphic Association, and the THACCA-Thailand Creative Culture Agency.
The Pattaya Film Festival 2024, held for the second consecutive year, is planned to be an annual event that aims to propel Pattaya towards becoming a UNESCO City of Film. The press conference included key figures such as Mr. Poramase Ngampiches (Mayor of Pattaya City), Mr. Kris Bhoomsuwan (Managing Director of Pattaya City and Vicinity Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Office), and Miss Chalida Uabumrungjit (Director of Film Archive (Public Organisation)). They have all addressed Pattaya's readiness as an internationally renowned tourist city with diverse tourism resources, suitable infrastructure, facilities, location, and various aspects that can support both local and international film crews. Furthermore, they have also addressed the collaboration among various organisations and agencies in organising the Pattaya Film Festival 2024, highlighting the integration of efforts to promote, support, and drive Pattaya's mission to become a UNESCO City of Film and a hub for the film industry. This initiative stimulates and promotes investment in the area, resulting in job creation, generating income for the community, and driving the country's economy.
Additionally, Mr. Nitivat Cholvanichsiri, a renowned director of films, dramas, and popular series, spoke about his perspective on Pattaya's potential as a filming location. He highlighted the city's comprehensive readiness in all aspects and expressed confidence that Pattaya will undoubtedly become a City of Film.
The Pattaya Film Festival 2024 will take place from 21 to 25 August 2024. The festival will feature a variety of activities, including screenings of quality films from around the world in cinemas, outdoor film screenings, the judging of the best films, film seminars, Masterclass-style seminars, a Documentary Pitch activity aimed at supporting Thai documentary filmmakers, and a Film Trip for guests to visit filming locations. The official opening ceremony of the Pattaya Film Festival 2024 is scheduled for 21 August 2024. Further details about the festival's activities can be found on the festival's Facebook page, Pattayafilmfestival.
