Thai Pitch at Cannes Celebrates 10th Edition With Second Features From Award-Winning Directors (EXCLUSIVE)

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At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) plans to showcase three exciting sophomore films by renowned Thai filmmakers. This presentation will be part of THACCA’s 10th annual Thai Pitch at Cannes event.

The upcoming pitching event, slated for May 19-20 at Village International’s Thai Pavilion, is committed to fostering connections between Thai filmmakers and possible investors, collaborators, financiers, sales representatives, distributors, and festival programmers. This initiative has built a solid reputation for propelling successful Thai film projects onto the international film festival scene.

This year’s lineup features three filmmakers who are following up their award-winning debuts:

I’m thrilled to share that filmmaker Taiki Sakpisit is back with his latest creation, “The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth,” following the success of his Rotterdam Fipresci Prize-winning debut “The Edge of Daybreak” (2021). This new narrative revolves around sisters Chareeya and Chalika, who, after losing their parents, find themselves ensnared in desires and haunted by memories within the murky depths of Bangkok’s underbelly. Notably, esteemed producer Cattleya Paosrijaroen, whose past works include Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Cannes Jury Prize-winning film “Memoria,” is involved in this project. As a cinephile, I eagerly anticipate the release of this intriguing tale that promises to captivate audiences with its unique blend of mystery and emotion.

In a new development, Itt Patiparn Boontarig unveils “Ghost of the Currents,” a follow-up to his acclaimed debut “Solids by the Seashore” (2023), which garnered numerous accolades at the Busan International Film Festival. This time around, Boontarig delves into supernatural drama, focusing on a man who revisits his flood-stricken Mekong river village, where villagers attribute the calamity to a vengeful spirit known as the “River Ghost.

As a movie critic, I had the pleasure of witnessing “Ray of Light,” a compelling class-conscious drama masterfully crafted by Nontawat Numbenchapol, who seamlessly transitioned from acclaimed documentary work to fiction with his latest piece, “Doi Boy” (2023). In this production, we delve into the lives of a lighting technician and a leading actress hailing from different spheres, their brief connection unfolding on the bustling set of a film production. Veteran line producer Tanade Amornpiyalerk skillfully oversees the project.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that my three latest projects have been backed by THACCA. The esteemed panel, consisting of Thai filmmaker-producer Pimpaka Towira, Donsaron Kovitvanitcha from the World Film Festival Bangkok, and industry luminary Raymond Phathanavirangoon, oversaw the selection process. Excitingly, Raymond will be orchestrating our meetings at Cannes, a truly momentous occasion for us all.

Notable triumphs from Thai Pitch in the past include “Arnold, Model Student” (released 2022), “Anatomy of Time” (2021), “Die Tomorrow” (2017), and “Malila: The Farewell Flower” (also 2017). Each of these productions made their debut at prestigious international film festivals and garnered acclaim.

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2025-04-08 12:17