Bangkok film festival prepares for action

The annual Bangkok International Film Festival begins February 17th, running until February 27th.

Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the festival has established itself as a major event in the international film world since its launch in 1998.

Glitzy premieres will open and close the festival, while a wide selection of competition entry films will be screened daily at cinemas across the city.

"The collection of films selected by our internationally recognised programming team continues to be the best," promised executive director Craig Pater

Films will compete for the Golden Kinnaree Awards, given for Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematographer and Best Screenwriter.

Each year the festival also praises someone in the film world with a special Lifetime Achievement Award, which will this year go to the actress Catherine Deneuve.

Oscar-nominated films will also be screened throughout the festival, including Good Night and Good Luck, written and directed by George Clooney, the Constant Gardener, starring Oscar-nominated Rachel Weisz and Pride and Prejudice, featuring the surprise Oscar contender Keira Knightley.

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