August 24-28, 2022 – Khon Kaen University by the Art, Culture, and Creative Economy Section joined the Thai Film Director Association, Khon Kaen Province, Ministry of Culture, the Program Management Unit for Manpower Development, University Development Fund, Research and Innovation Creation, Office of Digital Economy Promotion, and the Film Network; to organize the 6th Kaen International Film Festival. The event was aimed at opening up a chance for film lovers to participate and obtain knowledge related to film production from various film-related activities.
The opening session of the 6th Kaen International Film Festival was held on August 28, 2022. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the ceremony. Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy presented a reporting speech. Among attendants and distinguished guests were famous film directors – Khun Tanit Jitnukoon, Khun Pratya Pinkaew, Khun Jet Bunyoprakarn; a famous actor Khun Pirote Sangwaribut; and administrators of official and private organizations in Khon Kaen. The event took place at Central Plaza Mall, Khon Kaen.
The Kaen International Film Festival is an important film activity in Thailand that has been continuously organized. There are useful and promoting activities for the film industry in the region, especially in the Northeast and the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. The event is also aimed at creating awareness and encouraging people to become interested in films and creative film production as well as promoting and supporting the transfer of knowledge and skills in film production. Attendants are able to exchange their viewpoints about films and extend their occupational line. The Film Festival has been of interest among the public and has been supported by both governmental and private organizations who see the importance and chance to support and enhance the film industry so that there is the channel for public relation and a venue for exchanging of knowledge and experience to the youths in the said region. Moreover, the economy of the region will also be stimulated by disseminating the multiplicity of region’s arts and cultures.
The 6th Kaen International Film Festival featured a lot of activities related to film making and films. There was the red-carpet walks by actors and actresses, models and leading directors in Thailand; a competition of Kaen-Heart short films, movie shows, movie story-telling, a forum on films, “Soft Power – looking forward and backward, content making, Isan towards world content, and exhibitions of films.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said in his opening address, “The 6th Kaen International Film Festival is held with awareness of the development of skills, knowledge, competency and potentiality of northeastern students and the people who are interested in films as well as people in Lao PDR, so that they will be able to produce creative films. The event promotes people to spend time preciously and usefully with the use of information technology and creativity. The public, in this event, are able to express their thoughts in value creation. Khon Kaen Province will be known in this regard in a wider circle and at the same time the economy and tourism of the province will be provoked while the people and youths will become more interested in films. I will be supporting everyone to become a part in producing quality films in the future.”
Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy said in his reporting speech that Khon Kaen University by the Art, Culture, and Creative Economy and the network has organized the Film Festival for 6 times this year. The objectives are to extend and open up a venue for people who are interested in film to disseminate their works through integrated learning processes under different dimensions. The event sees the importance and chance to promote the industry of people in the Northeast and Lao PDR by providing the place for them to public relate their works. The event will also enable people to exchange their ideas, and the knowledge about film making will be transferred by the experts and well known film directors. Moreover, the economy and tourism of Khon Kaen is also enhanced.
News / Photos Natthawut Jaruwong
