Film festivals became popular with Thais living in Bangkok in the late nineties with the emergence of divers experimental, short, and international films festivals. The phenomenon revived interest in movies amongst Thais and served as a source of inspirations for young filmmakers, indie and mainstream alike, as well as becoming a platform for them to demonstrate their potential. For more than a decade, Thai filmmakers have successfully made their marks in the international scene, as recently seen from the number of Thai films honored at international film festivals just this year. Especially noteworthy is the success of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, the Palme d’or Award winner at the Cannes Film Festival by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, an independent filmmaker and artist from Khon Kaen.

Realizing the importance of the movie culture and filmmaking, the Art on Farm Project conducted by the Jim Thompson Art Center and the Isan Village at Jim Thompson Farm are therefore working to expand the circle of film appreciation to regional communities. To carry this out they are organizing the Isan Film Festival, a pilot program for Art on Farm 2010. The film festival will take place at the Jim Thompson Farm at its Isan Village during Jim Thompson Farm Tour 2010.

The Isan Film Festival is centered on films about Isan people, their history, culture, and exiled life. It features various programs of selected films which will be shown during the period of Jim Thompson Farm Tour. There will be discussions and open-air cinema as special activities. The project focuses on being a study of Isan history and culture. It is also intended to build a collection of films about this region and create a space where interested people can network, learn, and gain an in-depth understanding of Isan culture. The collection of films for this event is being built and selected from works created from Isan points of view towards everyday life. The films have been created by diverse filmmakers who range from amateur to professional. To make the festival possible, the organizers have formed an alliance with Thai Film Foundation, the National Film Archive of Thailand and local schools and universities.

Objectives:

1. To provide education and entertainment about the existence and way of life of Isan people, as well as their history and culture through motion pictures
2. To decentralize movie-going culture to provinces and rural communities
3. To promote movie-going culture and filmmaking among young people and interested individuals
4. To provide a platform for young people to exhibit their potential in the art of filmmaking
5. To build a cross-sector network of people from private and government agencies as well as non-profit organization whose work is related to movies and Isan culture

Programs Guide by dates

Date: December 18, 2010 Venue : HOR JAG, Isan Village, Jim Thompson Farm Time: 09.00 – 17.00 hrs
09.00 – 10.40 hrs	Santi Taepanich, Sua Ronghai (crying tiger), DVD, 94 mins, 2005
10.45 – 11.40 hrs	Songs of Isan (Total Runtime 49 mins .) Liliane Zumkemi, Peace Audition, DVD, 3.25 mins, 2008 Kaen Nakhon Wittayalai School Team, Kan (bamboo mouth organ), DVD, 10 minutes, 2008 Jakrawal Nilthamrong, Orchestra, DVD, 28 mins, 2008
11.45 – 12.40 hrs	Kom Movies 2: Short Comedy Laos-Isan Folklore, 50 mins.
12.45 – 16.50 hrs	Special Cinema program and discussion (Total Runtime: 243 mins .) Krisakorn Thinthapthai, Chai Wannee (now showing), DVD, 10 mins, 2009 Witchanon Som-ounchan, Tieng Na Noi Koy Rak (little shack awaiting for love), DVD, 10 mins, 2010 Apichatpong Weerasethakul, A Letter to Uncle Boonmee, DVD, 18 mins, 2008 Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Haunted Houses, DVD, 60 mins, 2005 Boonsong Nakpoo, Lomlaeng (dry wind), DVD, 25 mins, 2010 Paichong Laisakul (director) / Kamsing Srinok (writer), Thongpan, VCD, 60 mins, 1977 *Discussion on Thongpan with Thanom Chapakdee and Sirote Klampaiboon, 60 mins.

Date: December 19, 2010 – January 9, 2011 Venue : HOR JAG, Isan Village, Jim Thompson Farm Time: 09.00 – 17.00 hrs *** 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 December 2010 & 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 January 2011
09.00 – 11.20 hrs	Surasee Phatham, Kru Ban Nok (To Sir With Love), DVD/35mm film, 140 mins, 2010
11.25 – 13.15 hrs	Isan Portrait (Total Runtime: 108 mins .) Krisakorn Thinthapthai, Chai Wannee (on show today), DVD, 10 mins, 2009 Krisakorn Thinthapthai, Krasob (sack), DVD, 8.10 mins, 2006 Pattanapong Jatiket, Tamla Ha Kapom (The Chameleon Hunt), DVD, 8.52 mins, 2008 Siwadol Rathee, Hamburger Boys, DVD, 29.40 mins, 2006 Khon Kaen Wittayayon School Team, Nor Nen (N for Novice), DVD, 11.45 mins, 2008 Nong Khai Wittayakarn School Team, Sen Khanan (parallel lines), DVD, 10.25 mins. 2008 Panat Boonnoon, Nong Harn Prau Man Mai Chai Rueng Siew Siew (Nong Harn, because it’s not about pimples) DVD, 13.41 mins, 2007 Prachaya Petvisit, Before it's too late, DVD, 6.25 mins, 2010 Witchanon Som-ounchan, Tieng Na Noi Koy Rak (little shack awaiting for love), DVD, 10 mins, 2010
13.15 – 14.05 hrs	Kom Movies 2: Short Comedy Laos-Isan Folklore (Total Runtime: 50 mins .)
14.10 – 16.10 hrs	Isan Heroes (Total Runtime: 122 mins .) Nunthawuth Phuphasuk, Bata Loob Fai (foot stroke against fire), DVD, 21.20 mins, 2010 Chalerm Wongpim, Khon Fai Bin (dynamite warrior), 35mm / screen in DVD format, 100 mins, 2007
16.15 – 17.05 hrs	Songs of Isan (Total Runtime: 49 mins .) Liliane Zumkemi, Peace Audition, DVD, 3.25 mins, 2008 Kaen Nakhon Wittayalai School Team, Kan (bamboo mouth organ), DVD, 10 mins, 2008 Jakrawal Nilthamrong, Orchestra, DVD, 28 mins, 2008
*** 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 December 2010 & 2, 4, 6, 8 January 2011
09.00 - 10.40 hrs	Santi Taepanich, Sua Ronghai (crying tiger), DVD, 94 mins, 2005
10.45 - 12.40 hrs	Isan Story (Total Runtime: 116 mins.) Apichatpong Weerasethakul, A Letter to Uncle Boonmee, DVD, 18 mins, 2008 Jakrawal Nilthamrong, Man on the Moon, DVD, 7.21 mins, 2008 Prateep Suthathongthai, Athibai Kham Wa Thai (definition of Thai), DVD, 2.54 mins, 2007 Santipap Ingong-ngam, Mae Moon.. Karn Klub Ma Khong Kon Ha Pla(moon river), DVD, 18 mins, 2002 Preecha Sakorn, Klub Baan (return home), DVD, 16.13, 2010 Alex Khershaw, Phi Ta Khon, DVD, 18 mins, 2009 Boonsong Nakphoo, Ta Kab Larn (grandpa and nephew), DVD, 10 mins, 1997 Boonsong Nakphoo, Lomlaeng (dry wind), DVD, 25 mins, 2010
12.45 - 13.50 hrs	Paichong Laisakul (director) / Kamsing Srinok (writer), Thongpan, VCD, 60 mins, 1977
13.55 - 15.00 hrs	Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Haunted Houses, DVD, 60 mins, 2005
15.05 - 16.50 hrs	Isan portrait (Total Runtime: 108 mins.) Krisakorn Thinthapthai, Chai Wannee (on show today), DVD, 10 mins, 2009 Krisakorn Thinthapthai, Krasob (sack), DVD, 8.10 mins, 2006 Pattanapong Jatiket, Tamla Ha Kapom (The Chameleon Hunt), DVD, 8.52 mins, 2008 Siwadol Rathee, Hamburger Boys, DVD, 29.40 mins, 2006 Khon Kaen Wittayayon School Team, Nor Nen (N for Novice), DVD, 11.45 mins, 2008 Nong Khai Wittayakarn School Team, Sen Khanan (parallel lines), DVD, 10.25 mins. 2008 Panat Boonnoon, Nong Harn Prau Man Mai Chai Rueng Siew Siew (Nong Harn, because it’s not about pimples) DVD, 13.41 min, 2007 Prachaya Petvisit, Before it's too late, DVD, 6.25 mins, 2010 Witchanon Som-ounchan, Tieng Na Noi Koy Rak (little shack awaiting for love), DVD, 10 mins, 2010
Show program is subjected to change.

For further information, please contact artcenter@jimthompsonhouse.com