Message from the Festival Director
Mr. JAREUK KALJAREUK
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
It gives me great pleasure to announce the Hua Hin International Film Festival 2012, its inaugural year.
In 1894, the visit to Europe by HM King Chulalongkorn was documented on film, and upon His Majesty's return, the footage was exhibited in Thailand.
Such was the delighted reaction of audiences that Prince Thongthaem Sambassatra imported the necessary camera equipment to produce films in Thailand, and the Thai film industry was born.
The contribution of the Royal Family to the arts, and particularly the photographic and cinematic arts has been significant, and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is of course an extremely keen photographer and filmmaker.
Thus it seems particularly appropriate that we come together for an international film festival in Hua Hin, home to “Klai Kangwon”, the Royal Palace, often considered the ‘Royal Town’ of Thailand.
Hua Hin coastline has been dubbed ‘The Royal Coast’. The town has just celebrated its centenary last year.
We hope that the Hua Hin International Film Festival can serve a number of functions.
Firstly, it will be a celebration and showcase for the considerable talents of Thai filmmakers, who in recent years have brought much international glory to Thailand.
As the ASEAN region develops and strengthens, this is also an opportunity for us to pay tribute to our union with our ASEAN partners, and to show some of the fine films that are coming out of the region.
Of course it is also a chance to bring some of the best of international cinema to Thai audiences and explore a variety of film genres.
For these four days in January, Hua Hin will be visited by film stars, filmmakers, journalists, and film producers. Our seminars will explore important contemporary issues in the international cinema industry. Directors from many countries will meet and share ideas. Students will expand their film vocabulary and move closer to becoming the filmmakers of tomorrow.
But, this is a film festival for everyone. Whether you are a student, a filmmaker, or a moviegoer; whether you are from Hua Hin, Bangkok, or beyond, we welcome you to Hua Hin to join with us in this celebration of the cinematic arts.
