Pattaya City is reinforcing its position as a regional film industry hub with the upcoming Pattaya Film Festival 2025, running from August 28-30. Held at SF Cinema Pattaya and various locations across the city, the event is a collaboration with 12 key public, private, and academic partners. It serves a clear, ambitious goal: to establish Pattaya as a UNESCO Creative City of Film, using cinema as a powerful engine for economic growth, tourism, and local investment.
This year’s festival reflects the role of the film industry as a significant form of soft power, which not only enhances the country’s image and promotes Thai culture but also generates substantial economic value. According to the Tourism Department, in just the first half of 2025, there were 279 foreign film productions in Thailand, generating a total revenue of over 2.866 billion baht, with Chonburi province ranking among the country’s top three filming destinations.
Mr. Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya, revealed “Pattaya is not only about beautiful beaches, but we are proudly stepping forward as a city of art, culture, and cinema. The film industry is our most powerful soft power, capable of telling stories, inspiring people, and most importantly, driving the economy, creating jobs, and generating income for communities on a large scale. This festival is not just an event; it is a reaffirmation of our vision to propel Pattaya toward international recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.”
The festival also welcomed the participation of world-renowned director Paul Spurrier, who praised Pattaya’s potential “I have traveled around the world filming movies, but Pattaya has a unique identity. Its beaches, city, and culture blend harmoniously. Seeing the city seriously promote a film festival is a clear sign that Pattaya is on its way to becoming one of Asia’s cinematic hubs in the near future.”
This year’s festival also includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Pattaya City and 12 partner organizations, including the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, the Office of Sustainable Tourism Development (Public Organization), the Eastern Special Development Zone Policy Committee, the Tourism Department, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), the Film Archive (Public Organization), Thammasat University, Burapha University, the Federation of National Film Associations, the Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association, and the Thai Entertainment Professionals Network Association. Together, they aim to position Pattaya as a UNESCO Creative City of Film and a central hub for the film industry in the future.
The “Pattaya Film Festival 2025” will showcase films from Thailand and around the world, accompanied by activities that address both economic and social aspects, including
- Film Trip: Explore real filming locations in Pattaya, showcasing the city’s potential to international production crews.
- Masterclasses and Talks: Share experiences from leading experts, inspiring the next generation.
- Film Screenings: 16 high-quality films from around the world, including over 10 international films such as 20,000 Species of Bees, Influencer, Alien: Earth, Kiss the Con Queen, Deeper, and Renoir, as well as 6 Thai films including Viman Nam, Wai Num 2544, and Mr. Hurt: The Top Rank Pain, all screened at SF Cinema Central Marina.
- Open-Air Cinema: 16 films will be screened at four locations across Pattaya
- Lan Pho Na Kluea Public Park: Action films featuring Thailand’s martial arts star Tony Jaa in The Protector and Ong-Bak, alongside Chinese action films Born to Collect Boss and The Prosecutor.
- Wat Mai Krathung Thong: Horror films including The Last Night, with old friendships returning to claim promises, screened first with special talks with producers and actors, and lucky draws from Viu. Also featured are Indonesian remake Kang Mak Phra Khonong and Thai classic Buppha Ratri Parts 1–2.
- Pattaya City School 4: Children’s films exploring Thai war elephants’ history with Kan Kluay 1–2, fun monster stories with Bueng Kan and Asuran Noy Chom Son.
- Central Pattaya Beach: Comedy films to bring laughter, including an exclusive AI movie, Heros Ban Thung, Gang Muan Puan Yaowarat, and Gang Muan Puan America.
- Local Products and Food Booths: Visitors can enjoy, taste, and shop for unique local foods and support community products.
Be a part of this memorable cinematic experience at the 3rd Pattaya Film Festival (Pattaya Film Festival 2025) from August 28–30, 2025, at SF Cinema Pattaya, and explore activities that will redefine your perspective on watching films. For details and screening schedules, visit the festival’s Facebook page: Pattaya FILM Festival.
