The Very First Bangkok International Animation Film Festival Coming Soon on September 25th - 30th, 2009

BANGKOK -

Organized by SIPA and the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, with the aim to promote the concept of “Creative Economy.”

Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization) or SIPA, in cooperation with the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand is announcing today the launch of Thailand’s very first ‘Bangkok International Animation Film Festival 2009′ which will be held between 25th and 30th September 2009 at Paragon Cineplex, Paragon Shopping Complex and at SF World Cinema, Central World.

Over 40 animations from all over the world are being competed and shown during the festival. ‘Bangkok International Animation Film Festival 2009′ is aimed at providing a source of inspiration for youngsters to showcase their creative-minds, and for new-genre entrepreneurs to apply their creativities in commercial world, while at the same time, promoting the concept of “Creative Economy” to international audiences.

Presiding over the press conference, Information and Communications Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee highlighted the importance of Bangkok International Animation Film Festival 2009, “Animation Films are based on cultural and social aspects and is part of the ‘Creative Economy’ concept. The up-coming Bangkok International Animation Film Festival in September is hoped to be the venue for all business partners to develop and visualize their creativities. It will be a meeting place for talented members in creative industries to further build on their businesses, creating employment, promoting ‘Thailand’ as the movie location, while seeking for international cooperation to enhance our computer graphic and animation businesses to further build our film industry to a success level as seen in France and Korea.”

As for the activities during the festival, Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, President of the Software Industry Promotion Agency or SIPA said, “The main activities, apart from various screenings, there will also be over 40 animations from all over the world competing for the Feature and Short Animation Film Awards, including 5 animations from US, 11 from European, 12 from Asia-Pacific, and 8 from Thailand.” Furthermore, there will be lots of special sessions to explore the professional parts of Thai animation and digital content industries and the ability in adding more values to such a creative industry. All of the above activities and including seminars are combined in one place to create the dynamic space for strengthening the development of Thai software and digital content technology, especially for the Animation Film industry.

SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP Date: September 25, 2009 Topic: Thai Animators in SIGGRAPH 2009 (What about 2010?) Key Speakers: 1. Sasapitt Rujirat 2. Phon Thiramongkol 3. Lee Alan Croudy Time: 13.30-15.30 hours Venue: Chatrium Suites Hotel Hosted by: SIGGRAPH Date: September 27, 2009 Topic: Thai Animation Education at a Second Era Key Speakers: 1. Kriengkrai Supornsahasrungsri, Imagimax Co., Ltd. 2. Pitipong Netkeaw, DM Group 3. Pizzanu Kanongchaiyos, PH.D., Chulalongkorn University 4. Nattavut Seemontara, Rangsit University 5. Student Representatives Time: 10.00-12.00 hours Venue: Chatrium Suites Hotel Hosted by: Imagimax, DM Group, Chulalongkorn University, and Rangsit University Date: September 28, 2009 Topic: How the Government Sector Supports the Animation Industry Key Speakers: Mr.Rungruang Limchoopatipa Director of Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization) Time: 10.00-12.00 hours Venue: Chatrium Suites Hotel Hosted by: Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization) Date: September 29, 2009 Topic: The Future of Feature Films: 3D Stereoscopic and More Key Speakers: 1. Matthew Clayton Dewees Regional Application Specialist, Autodesk Media & Entertainment 2. Sookapat Niyomthai General Manager, Comgraph Co., Ltd. Time: 10.00-12.00 hours Venue: Chatrium Suites Hotel Hosted by: Autodesk & Comgraph For full version of the press release please visit www.bkkiaf.org/home_eng.html www.bangkokfilm.org Contact: Raewadee Sanawan (Chompoo) Mobile: +6681-920-6242 Bangkok International Film Festival 2009

Source: Bangkok International Film Festival 2009

Raewadee Sanawan (Chompoo) of Bangkok International Film Festival 2009, +6681-920-6242