On 13 August 2024 at 20.00 hrs. H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, graced an Official Launching Ceremony of the Thai Film Festival in Malaysia 2024 (TFF 2024) under the theme “Local Talents to Global Contents” organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Held at Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX, the Ceremony was well-attended by over 300 invited guests, including dignitaries from Malaysian government agencies, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), diplomatic corps in Kuala Lumpur, as well as participants from Malaysian and Thai film industry, celebrities, media, private sector, academics, medias and Friends of Thailand.

In her opening address, Ambassador Lada underlined the well-rounded dimensions of the long-standing Thailand - Malaysia partnership, which will reach the 67^th anniversary of its diplomatic relations on 31 August 2024. “As part of celebrating such milestone, the TFF 2024 aims to open a window to the world to better appreciate Thai stories, thinking, values, and ways of life, as well as to understand the “Thainess” and appreciate the similarities and unique qualities that bind Thailand and Malaysia together through the universal language of film, said Ambassador Lada.

Ambassador Lada also highlighted the success of Thai film industry in 2023, which is considered a “Magical Year” with 75 Thai titles released through various platforms, while a total of 466 movies from 40 countries were filmed across Thailand, generating the highest record ever of 6.75 billion baht (or approximately 184 million USD). The TFF 2024 therefore serves as a cornerstone to showcase skilled local Thai talents, to drive Thailand forward as a premier destination for international film production, and to implement Thailand’s soft power and creative economy policies under the “IGNITE THAILAND” vision.   

The Official Launching Ceremony also featured speeches from notable guests, including Mr. Pan Vui Shang, Head of Operation of Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), and Mr. Shures Ratnakrishnan, Director of Suraya Filem & Distribution, expressing readiness to work closely with the Royal Thai Embassy in advancing Thai film popularity in Malaysia. Major partners, including Thailand’s Department of International Trade and Promotion (DITP) Malaysia, FINAS, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Kuala Lumpur, Knowmad Production and Cinema Online, were also invited on stage alongside the Ambassador for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The red-carpet reception was also starred by renowned Thai and Malaysian actors, Mr. Pakorn (Dome) Lam and Mr. Bront Palarae, followed by a special screening of “The Undertaker”.

Thai Film Festival in Malaysia 2024 (TFF 2024): Local Talents to Global Contents is set to unspool five remarkable Thai films, namely The Undertaker (Comedy-horror), Not Friends (Coming-of-age comedy-drama), Daeng (Comedy-horror), Haunted Tales (Horror) and Mantra Warrior: The Legend of The Eight Moons (Animation), with 20 FREE public screenings during 16 - 18 August 2024 at GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama, GSC My Town, and GSC IOI City Mall.